A mere 3 hours from the bustle of the Bay Area, lies a serene outdoor wonderland with hundreds of miles of trails zig-zagging through jagged granite peaks and topaz blue lakes. Though most visitors to the area flock to Lake Tahoe, nearby Tahoe National Forest tends to feel far removed from the busy shoreline of the world-renown lake. Here, one can quickly find themselves immersed in solitude after only a couple miles of hiking. Surrounded by numerous river canyons which carve their way through miles of granite ridges and conifer groves, and spotted with recreation areas where one can still find a last-minute campsite on a holiday weekend - Tahoe National Forest is a gem.
Soaking up the views from camp
Northwest of Sacramento in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, Tahoe National Forest extends to the northernmost outcroppings of the famed range. Land of the Washoe, Maidu, and Nisenan people, and dappled with quaint gold-rush towns which boast the charming aesthetic of a bygone era – this stretch of land is rich in history and strong in spirit. In one day, visitors to the region can sip from antique china at a Victorian tea house, hike to a historic fire lookout perched at 8,500 feet, and fall asleep camped beside the confluence of one of the region’s famous rivers, where the native people used to gather seasonally to hunt and forage along its banks.
Stopped for a swim during a long day hike
While some of these 850,000 acres of public land are dedicated to the use and production of timber and designated as stock grazing areas, this mix of old growth forests, crystal clear lakes, and lush alpine meadows also provides abundant recreational opportunities to all types of adventurers. From kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and backpacking to winter sports, such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, there’s always something to do every day of the year. Tahoe National Forest also claims hundreds of lakes, and a handful of notable reservoirs, which are home to some favorite fishing and floating spots, loved by locals and visitors alike.
Whether your heart beats for museum visits, vintage bed and breakfasts, sleeping under the stars, or post-holing through spring snowfields, Tahoe National Forest is an easy-to-reach escape that will leave you feeling world’s away.
Fall foliage in one of our favorite forests