Cascade Falls

Cascade Falls is a powerful 200-foot waterfall that crashes down a granite cliff face near Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. Fed by snowmelt from the Desolation Wilderness above, the falls drop in multiple cascading stages through polished granite, sending up clouds of spray that catch the mountain sunlight. From various viewpoints along the trail, hikers are treated to stunning panoramas of Cascade Lake, Emerald Bay, and the deep blue expanse of Lake Tahoe itself — a combination of waterfall and alpine lake scenery that is hard to beat anywhere in the Sierra Nevada.

The Cascade Falls Trail is a short 1.5-mile round trip from the Bayview Campground trailhead with about 250 feet of elevation gain. The trail navigates through a Sierra forest of Jeffrey pine and red fir, crosses several rocky sections, and includes some stone steps. Though short, the trail has a few challenging spots with large boulders to navigate. Multiple viewpoints along the way offer excellent photo opportunities of the surrounding lakes and mountains before you reach the falls at trail's end.

The best time to visit is late May through early July when snowmelt sends Cascade Creek roaring over the cliff. By late summer the flow diminishes significantly. The trailhead is typically open from mid-May through mid-October, and parking costs $12 at the Bayview lot. No day pass is needed if you are only hiking to Cascade Falls. The trail is one of the most popular short hikes at Lake Tahoe, so arrive early on summer weekends.