This was my first and probably my last time doing this hike. It's really beautiful The river and the waterfall is pretty cool. If you go all the way to the top of the waterfall and then go beyond it for about a mile or so you come to a gorgeous lake. However, this is a strenuous hike. Lots and lots of rock, climbing, and at times I just felt exhausted and I wasn't even sure that I wanted to complete it. I'm glad I did, but I probably won't do it again. The only downfall other than it just being strenuous is that the hike and trail itself is not well marked. read more

See all

Great hike, not very difficult unless you want to climb all the way up which isn't even necessary to enjoy the falls, but be mindful of slippery rocks especially if wet. Easy to find secluded spots for bathing. Water is cold! remember it is all melted snow runoff. This is the largest waterfall in the Tahoe area. You may view the Cascade falls near the base, or hike on up to Horsetail. Parking costs $10. unless you have a federal permit, which is available for sale, for seniors, and free for the disabled. We went in late July and the water was gushing nicely, and the weather was fine even though it rained a bit that day. read more

Horsetail Falls Hike - Majestic - Hiking Near Me

This has probably been my favorite hike this far!! It has such beautiful scenery and I like that we are able to see the falls throughout the entire walk. We did a little over 4 miles. We got in the water and it felt so amazing (cold as all hell) but amazing!! read more

Horsetail Falls Hike - :) - Hiking Near Me

See all

A must hike at least once a year ! The waterfall was gorgeous and cascading along the whole entire trail ! It's not overly hard to hike , short in length , great for all ages and the view is amazing I'm so glad we finally decide to do a day trip from Elk Grove read more

See all

Hiked: June 12, 2020 Oh man, this hike. It has got to be one of the most beautiful, challenging and adventurous hikes I have ever done. I'll start off by saying that this is definitely not a beginner hike and I don't recommend very young children or dogs unless you don't go all the way to the top. Even the hike to the 'base' of the falls is still a challenge. That's because you'll literally be climbing up some steep rocks, hugging boulders, walking over logs on streams, and deal with elevation on a poorly marked trail. With that being said, all of it was totally worth it. You'll not only be be rewarded with gorgeous views and scenery but also self accomplishment of tackling this hike. Key things: -It's about 1hr 25mins from Sacramento & about 20 mins from South Lake Tahoe. The parking lot is easily found off highway 50. Parking fee $8. It says you need a permit to enter desolation wilderness but we didn't have one and no one was checking. -Wear sturdy hiking shoes. Nike's or vans won't cut it here. There are a lot of loose gravel around and smooth slippery granite as well. We actually saw a man fall in front of us when we were walking over logs to cross a shallow creek. -The trail is not well marked. There are a few trees and rocks that are marked with blue spray paint. Follow that to know you're heading towards the falls. If you keep the river on your right on the way up will help you towards the falls too. Or download the AllTrails map of this hike if you're worried about getting lost. -About a 3.5 mile hike that took us 4-4.5hrs to do. This included stops around mini pools, picture taking and lunch at the falls. Check this trail out if you're ready for an adventure. read more

Horsetail Falls Hike - Bring lunch you can enjoy while checking out the falls. - Hiking Near Me

See all

After seven weeks of sheltering in place, I needed to get out of my house and get some fresh air. I drove up to Pyramid Creek Trail on a Saturday morning. I got there around 10:30 AM and there were already tons of cars lining both sides of the highway. The parking lot (and restrooms) are closed due to COVID-19 but that didn't stop all of the hikers. I started out on my hike and was surprised by how many groups of people were out on the trail. Despite that, everyone was super respectful of social distancing guidelines and keeping their space. It took me about an hour to make it from the trail head, passed the desolation marker, and up to the falls. Once I was up there, I sat and enjoyed the view, the sunshine, the fresh air, and my protein shake that I brought with me. This was always a hike I would do as a kid with my dad and my brothers. We never went past the desolation marker and up to the falls so finally getting up to the falls was sort of a victory for me. Beautiful hike that helped to clear my head. read more

Beautiful hiking trail that looks especially magical during the winter time. We made a small detour on our way home from South Lake Tahoe and it was worth it. The hiking trial is not difficult but is a little trickier when there is ice/snow. With or without snow, hiking shoes are necessary because of the rocky terrain (protect your ankles!). There is a couple of small waterfalls and lots of big, beautiful trees all around. Great short hike (less than three miles RT) especially after a day of snowboarding/falling. Highly recommend if you are on the area. read more

See all

Nirvana, that is what this place is. Each year we camp in S. Lake Tahoe and pass Horsetail Falls. We usually stop here on our way home if we've gotten an early enough start. It's such a beautiful hike with fantastic vistas and microclimates. It is steep so you do have to have good shoes and footing, but I've seen people stop and hike around in flip flops as well as saw one woman in dressy slip on sandals (not recommended). You can hike as little or as far as you are inclined, but the way is up, up, up! Most of the hike takes you alongside Pyramid Creek which is just beautiful. There are some falls fairly soon into the hike so if you don't want to keep going up, you can enjoy a little meditative state here. The view of Horsetail Falls is worth it though... quite easy to scramble up granite rocks. There's areas where it's thickly forested and quiet inlets of the creek to sit and gather your thoughts or take a sip of water. The best part (if you happen to have a dog) is this is all off leash and there's no danger of poison oak at this elevation. You DO need to be mindful of shady rocks however as our last visit we saw a young rattlesnake coiled up and resting in the shade of a rock. That being said your dogs will enjoy scrambling up the rock faces using 4 wheel drive and if they love water there's plenty of opportunity for safe exploration of cool Alpine water. Do be sure to leash them in the steeper areas with swift falls, just to be safe. The trailhead lot is often crowded and you must pay $5 entry to park. You park and pay via envelope with your license plate info and place in a tube. It's well worth the fee and visit!!! Restore your energy, balance your mind, and stick your toes in cool, clear Alpine water as you ruminate on your place in the Universe. Breathe the clear air and enjoy "being". :) read more

See all

Take provisions. Good Hiking boots, a compass, a map, a buddy, and let friends and family know when and where you will be back to trail-head. read more

One of the most beautiful hikes! I love the serenity at this place, lots of creeks, water falls wit majestic views! Parking is about $8.

This hike was probably the best my group and I have ever done! It was absolutely stunning. We saw the high ratings on AllTrails and decided to do it last second before leaving the area. We were so glad we picked this specific hike! The entrance for the hike is right off the freeway (there's a good size parking lot) and the hike is 3.1 miles round trip. It starts off easy, then gets more moderate as you have to hike up through a steep rocky trail and on rocks to get to the waterfall. We did it in late April so if you do this in the winter you'd definitely need the equipment and shoes for it. There's not a lot of shady areas, maybe one by the river about halfway, so I would recommend eating here or waiting until the end to enjoy a picnic by the mist of the falls. There're not a lot of signs to mark the trail and we went off it a couple of times, but felt like it was more fun this way. It did help when we saw other groups to help us continue down the right path (although we had kind of an adventure trying to cross the river because we didn't see the huge tree log that people were using to cross lol). Right when you start the trail, there's a fast flowing river and you can get right next to the water. What I loved about this hike was the different scenery leading up the magnificent falls: walking though open rocky areas overlooking the mountains and crossing rivers through a more foresty space to get to the top. We saw people of all ages doing this hike and a lot of dogs, so even though it's a moderate hike, it's definitely doable. The distance feels shorter coming back because it's downhill. I'd hands down do this again!! read more

See all

Absolutely FAVORITE hike. It's not difficult. It's so beautiful, and peaceful. I love the numerous waterfalls you come across. My 7 year old was able to keep up, as well as a friend who decided to go in flip flops it truly is my favorite hike. read more

This hike is one of the prettiest hikes you'll come around. It's my favorite as I always like hiking next to a water source. It just makes everything prettier. I've been coming here for over 15 years but I still sometimes forget the right path to take to the top of horsetail falls and reach avalanche lake at the top. Here's a tip for anyone trying to get to the top. The easiest way to get to the top is to stay left of the waterfalls and to make a left at the dead downed tree. Then follow the green or yellow dots or green or yellow arrows. Most of the green or yellow arrows and dots are invisible now. There are a few ways up but the other 2 or 3 are in my opinion a lot harder for women. I've taken several of my friends that are girls and some prefer to climb a steep incline than traverse across this slippery granite incline. The granite incline I believe is easier but most of my friends that are girls get super freaked out by it. But none have been wearing anything other than running shoes. At the most have some trail running shoes. Although I have climbed to the top in globes and DC's before. Anyways if you go earlier in spring the waterfalls will be flowing like crazy and there will be more mosquitos. If you go in summer the water is a bit cold and the flows aren't as high but the water falls are still just as beautiful. read more

Still my favorite hike in Desolation Wilderness. Have plenty of video footage and also created a Hiking Guide for folks who are looking to get to the top. Check out California Wilderness Experience on the Tube. read more

Bucket list! I'm so glad I did this hike! I am 50 years old and it's only taken me 45 years to slow down long enough to plan and actually do this hike. It's a moderate hike for those younger and in shape. For me it was at times arduous. I suggest wearing bike/workout shorts and sports bra- for comfort and to jump in the beautiful pools along the way. Wear really good tennis shoes that allow grip AND that won't allow your toes to slide. The hardest part was coming down. My toes were feeling very jammed! A great hike that CAN be leisurely taken. You don't have to go ALL the way to enjoy the beauty all around. The best part was at the very end. We thoroughly enjoyed bathing in the pool at the base. It was very healing on our hot bodies and hammered toes. MUST HAVE: Water, lots- we went through 6 bottles and wanted more Sunscreen! Lather up before and again at the top! Good shoes- people say boots- but I'm partial to good tennis that keep your feet in place with descent tread for gripping. Movable clothes, with spandex, workout attire, ok to get wet Sunglasses! Protein style snack NICE TO HAVE: A lightweight chair to perch and gaze A towel for the post dip in pools read more

See all

Super cool hike We didn't go all the way up since we had dogs and it said Most Difficult. But we did nice 2 mile hike read more

Horsetail Falls Hike - Hiking Near Me

See all

Fun interesting hike yet deadly lol read parking stub I think they need more trail signs you can get lost and maybe will once Thankfully theres restrooms and water Its hard to find a trash can anywhere Wouldnt recommend to hike alone Have to watch EACH step super easy to roll your ankle read more

June 25,2016 ~ Finally made it up the falls. There was so much more climbing than I expected. It took us approximately 2 hours going average pace with breaks to get up there. Make sure you have proper footwear as the rocks could be slippery. Take your time going up and especially coming down. There are no obvious trail but you will notice the trail markers. Follow them up and keep to the left of the falls coming back down. We hiked in mid 80 degree weather which can be extremely hot and draining so pack plenty of water and snacks to enjoy. Once you get to the top, keep going. You will see a little lake. I must warn you that the water is ice cold, but definitely worth a swim. It's a totally different world up there, just simply beautiful. Although I have not seen them (fingers crossed for next time) there are rattlers out there so beware of shades rocks. All in all, this hike was definitely a workout more than I expected. Make sure to breath in and out of your nose due to the elevation which can be hard on some people. Have fun, take lots of photos and enjoy the beauty Mother Nature has to offer :) Previous review: 5 shining stars although we did not make it all the way up to Horsetail Falls. We started the hike around noon with a temperature of around 48 degrees. We took the Pyramid Creek Trail and made it to the cascade and the creek. We spent most of our time just absorbing the beauty of Mother Nature. The giant granite rocks (can be slippery) makes a perfect spot yoga pictures though. I can't wait to go back. Make sure you bring $5 for parking. The parking lot is on the left side of HWY 50 after the little town of Strawberry. I love strawberries. I recommend bringing snacks/lunch because it's such a lovely place to have a picnic. Will be back to update this review once I actually get to hike this place up the falls. Aloha! read more

See all

Beautiful hike! Some challenging spots and scrambling from midway up the falls to the top. Totally worth it! Will go again. read more

See all

Hard to stay in the trail - no trail marks just follow the water and you will find the falls. We made it and it was worth it! read more

Horsetail Falls Hike - Hiking Near Me

Amazing hike with beautiful views and great for families! Plus if your more experienced you can go even higher which I plan to do next time :)) read more

Went on this hike with a large group this past Memorial Day weekend. Honestly the reviews scared me. I was equipped with Nike Roshes for this hike which probably wasn't the smartest idea. I saw other people wearing converse as well. While you can do this hike with those shoes much of the hike will be slippery and you will find yourself wishing you had hiking shoes. A few people in our group slipped due to slippery rocks, walking over logs, and walking over snow. The hike was completely worth the slippage though! The views were great and there are many interesting stops along the way. No area of the hike was considered boring. If you weren't resting at a mini fall or pond you were walking logs to cross areas of water (really only 1 to 2 feet of water but if you didn't have hiking shoes you probably wouldn't want to walk in the water), or scaling rock walls. When you see the sign for Desolation Wilderness and you get nervous about the permit required don't worry. No one's checking, so if you happen to slip past the sign to continue your hike (which you will need to do) no one will know! read more

In the mood for having your ass handed to you by Mother Nature? Then look no further than the Horsetail Falls hike near SLT, CA. Want to know if you're the right contender for this sort of hike? 1. Do you bring a Pepsi or coffee with you whenever you go for a brisk walk? 2. Are your "hiking shoes" a pair of old sketchers from the late 90's? 3. Do you loathe large granite boulders? 4. Do you have a fear of heights? 5. Are you out of shape in any way? 6. Do you have a problem "blazing your own trail"? 7. Do you hate gapers who insist on hiking this trail even when they've answered yes to all of the above questions? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this might not be the right trail for you. This trail, depending on your activity level and how high you want to go, can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. It's all, and I mean ALL, uphill (until you decide to turn your ass around). And the trail is more like a "trail" as in... you find a way to get up to the top of the falls using very vague guidelines and basically just stick to the side of the creek as best you can. That being said, it's a gorgeous hike. And if you want to see a very special part of the Desolation Wilderness, I highly recommend Horsetail. But seriously: bring a Camelback. And get some real hiking shoes. read more

Driving up to South Lake Tahoe, the parking lot is on the left side of HWY 50. Parking is $5, so don't forget to bring cash! I recommend hiking early in the morning because the parking lot can get very full. During my several visits to South Lake Tahoe, I've been to Horsetail Falls Hike 3x. Unfortunately on my 1st and 2nd hike, I did not make it to the falls because my friends weren't experienced hikers and we decided to go swimming at the lower lake instead. On my 3rd hike, I FINALLY MADE IT TO THE FALLS! Horsetail Falls Hike is a moderate 3 mile hike. The most difficult part of the hike is that there is no clear markings. There are a few distinct paths, but sometimes you have to get lost in order to find them. Getting to the falls requires a little bit of bouldering, but it's worth it. Just climb climb climb and eventually you'll get to the falls. Don't forget to bring your swimsuit because it is a perfect place to take a dip and tan! read more

Horsetail Falls Hike - Hiking Near Me

I did this hike today, what a great difficult hike. I will be going back to hike up to the top of the waterfall. I really did enjoy getting lost and just finding my way. read more

See all

The scenery on this hike is beautiful. It isn't an easy hike but it's not too difficult either. The hardest part is staying on the trail, and not because it's rocky (it is) but because it is very poorly marked. There's only 1 sign and there's no spray paint or any other indicators of where to go except for footprints. However these footprints can also lead you astray and to a place where you can't get down easily. When I went this happened and we had to climb down from a massive boulder. It was dangerous so be very careful. It That's my only complaint about it. Be careful not to get lost and if you do just head down toward the river and follow it down stream to the end. If you're driving there from Sacramento the trail parking lot will be on your left side. It's pretty easy to miss. If you hit the Sierra ski lodge you've gone too far. Definitely worth checking this hike out. read more

See all

One of the best hikes we've been on in the area. Great hike for a cool or overcast day. I wouldn't do this hike on a hot, sunny day because so much of the trail is out in the open without shade. We managed to do the 2.5 mile route on the Pyramid Loop Trail and about another quarter mile into the Desolation Wilderness with our 3 and 5 year old kids. The 3 year old was in a backpack at least half the time. I definitely wouldn't call it an easy hike, but it wasn't too steep most of the time either. Once you make it up to the open rocky area of the trail, there are little trail markers nailed up to the trees to help keep you on the path. We had no problem staying on the path, even once we entered the Desolation Wilderness, which is supposesly not maintained and difficult to follow. The trail is so unique and so beautiful with the gorgeous towering cliffs overhead. It was nice to follow the river the whole way with beautiful waterfalls and clear pools. Even though you don't always see the stream, you can always hear it. read more

One of the most difficult and rewarding hikes one can do. Parking lot to the base of the falls is about one hour. From the base of the falls to Avalanche Lake is an additional one point five hours minimum. After the base of the falls, pick your best route. There is one area where you will have to climb up a crevice. You have a choice of two crevices. Closer to the falls or against the rock wall. From there it is from rock to rock to the top. The lake on top in exquisite. The most physically taxing portion of the hike will be on the way down. Bring lots of water and food. I have been to the top seven times. One time I got caught in the open when a thunderstorm blew in. Be prepared. Great day. read more

This was a great hike, even though we never actually made it to the lakes. Our goal was to take Pyramid Creek Trail to the lake and beyond, but the hike was a lot tougher than we had anticipated. Nevertheless, the scenery leading up to that point was fantastic as you follow the raging river most of the way. There is a steady incline most of the way until you reach closer to the falls. Once you are near the falls, you will be challenged to find your own trail up rocky inclines to the peak of the mountain. Overall, it was a really nice hike and definitely recommended! read more

Horsetail Falls Hike - Hiking Near Me

See all

Beautiful views in all directions. In just one hike you get some if the best views of Horsetail Falls as well as Lover's Leap. In my opinion hike is difficult once you hit the wilderness boundary, about 3/4 mile in. Trail becomes a bit confused in this area. Several nice ponds along the trail that allow you to get wet. Plenty of parking at Twin Bridges. Great half day adventure. read more

Horsetail Falls Hike - Hiking Near Me

See all

This hike is world class. Is has so many parts to it. The rushing waters at its heart, the deep riverine redwood forest at the base, the hike up to the pool, the scramble over the boulders, the amazingly peaceful and naturally landscaped lakes at the top. Its not a particularly safe hike, especially if you go beyond the pool to the lakes above. Be careful! But this is as good as gets. read more

We came at the beginning of spring in a sunny day, with still snow around. and it was one of the most beautiful places I have seen. Really Yosemite level! Waterfalls, water streams through the rocks, and the wood, snow above, rocks below. amazing. I am sure, how it will look mid summer, but do schedule a trip to there at the beginning of the spring. read more

Loved Horsetail falls and Desolation Wilderness!!! This was my first time here, easy to find, the parking lot is off Hwy 50, downfall is a small lot. We went on Memorial Day, so of course it was busy, so we had to park across the road to the trail entrance, which wasn't fun with lots of traffic and two dogs. The trails are not well marked is the only reason I gave it 4 stars. Yes there are tree markers but I didn't notice them until the end of the hike back to the car, maybe I was too busy enjoying there views!! You can explore all over this area, it's in a canyon and you can see the falls from the beginning of the hike so you can't really get lost but we tried following the pyramid loop and ended up just hiking wherever we felt inclined to explore. There are rock slabs everywhere to run and climb for panoramic views and streams with rapids with stunning scenery and sounds. The water rushing so quickly was amazing to see and hear! Very dog friendly too, definitely an easy hike but we did not venture up the falls into the wilderness area because we had the dogs and you need a day permit. Also tons of spots to set up camp and have an enjoyable lunch! Will definitely return! read more

Horsetail Falls Hike - View of horsetail falls from beginning of hike - Hiking Near Me

This is a pretty strenuous hike with few trail indicators. Don't always trust the man-built rock formations/trail markers. Not everyone knows where they are going. Be leary of this if you decide to make it to the top and then want to come down. You can get lost, and you can think you are bushwacking until you fall off a cliff, or the waterfall, depending on which direction you go. This is a dangerous location, so ignore the morons who are enjoying the sloping granite nearest the waterfall. There are accidents here, sometimes fatal each year. It's a beautiful hike. Most people enjoy making it to the first half, and that's just fine. Its beautiful. If you choose to do the second half to the top of the waterfall, it is steep. You will have to do some bouldering. You will have to bring lots of water and some snacks, and you will want to wear the proper shoes. Once you get to the top, there is a gorgeous river that makes up the waterfall. Keep hiking back just a little bit and you will get to some great alpine ponds. You can totally swim in them and they are refreshing. There are watersnakes. If you are prepared, and have the day permit (make sure to get one at the beginning of the trail), you can continue going on to several other Alpine Lakes (you will be about 4-5 hours in at this point, so don't forget you still have to come down). If you have a backpacking or overnight permit, a great goal would be Pyramid Peak. Parking is a little tricky. There are two parking lots on either side of the highway. You can also park on the side of the road. Just read the signs. Be careful about parking in the vacation housing cabins. The locals know how to do this and get away with it..... don't be a fool and try to do it too. You can get towed. There are restrooms, and they are usually open and generally clean depending on when in the season you go. read more

Very nice hike! Bring lots of water if you decide to hike all the way to the top of the falls because it's a pretty strenuous hike up there. There are a lot of opportunities to stop and get in the water as you make your way to the top. read more

Love the hike. My bf, his sister and I took a day off for this hike. It was worth a hike. Such a beautiful scenic view with all the mountains around and trees. There was a lot of bees buzzing around when you hang out around certain trees or there by the falls. The falls was so beautiful as well! It can be a tiring hike so do bring lots of water and some energy snacks. read more

Horsetail Falls Hike - Hiking Near Me

See all

Great hike! Hard to stay on the trail actually impossible- no trail markers just follow the water and you will find the falls.

Fun hike. Beautiful waterfall. Not really a trail to follow like other hikes but that is what makes it fun :)