Mountain Biking, Lake Tahoe

While riding, please help protect the basin's high alpine environment, an extremely fragile resource, by staying out of meadows and wet areas. Please do not cut switchbacks or make new trails.

National Forests belong to a variety of users. Hikers, horses and mountain bikes, share trails. Please use caution and courtesy when encountering another user.

Enjoy your ride!

You can also mountain bike on many of the ski resorts slopes too.

Fountain Place

Fountain Place - Easy/Moderate - 6320'/8400' - 2 to miles
This area has several mountain biking opportunities, from paved roads to more difficult trails see the map for your options. NOTE: Mountain bikes are not allowed past the gate at the end of Fountain Place Road nor the High Meadows area (Private property). From Highway 50 take Pioneer Trail one mile to Oneidas Road. Follow Oneidas to the end and park at the staging area.

Angora Ridge

Angora Ridge - Moderate - 6360'/7440' - 2 miles to Angora Lookout: 4 miles to Angora Lakes
Enjoy a moderate ride with spectacular views of Fallen Leaf Lake and Mr. Tallac. Take Fallen Leaf Lake Road from Highway 89. Park past the campground on the right. Ride along Fallen Leaf Lake road, take the first left, continue mile and turn right on Angora Ridge Road .

Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks - Moderate! Strenuous - 6400'/7010' - 1 to miles 2
Perfect for the biker with limited time, this short steep ride to the top of a mountain peak has great views of Lake Tahoe. Open for public use from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Access is off of Lake Tahoe Boulevard approximately 2 miles from the intersection of Highway 50 and 89. Caution: This area is a very popular OHV Area.

Meiss Trail

Meiss Trail - Moderate/Strenuous - 7280'/8400' - 5 miles
Rising abruptly from Highway 89 for the first V2 mile, this trail levels off as it reached Big Meadows. Trails leading to round, Scotts and Dardanelles lakes provide access into Meiss Country with views of aspen covered hills from lodgepole cloaked forests. NOTE: This trail eventually intersects with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) where mountain bikes are not allowed. Take Highway 89 south from Meyers to the Big Meadows parking lot. Follow the trail at the southern end of the parking lot, which leads across the highway to the trailhead.

Rim Trail

Rim Trail - Moderate/Strenuous - 7280'-9600' - 18 miles
Experience breathtaking scenery with exceptional views of Lake Tahoe. Take the Rim Trail past Freel Peak, the highest peak in the basin (10,881'). Take Highway 89 south of Myers on the Big Meadows parking lot. The trail starts at the north end of the parking lot. A longer trip is possible by taking two cars and parking one car at the Heavenly Valley Ski Resort's Stagecoach parking lot. The trailhead begins 1/8 mile up Stagecoach Run. NOTE: Mountain bikes are not allowed on the trail from Armstrong Pass north to fountain Place nor from Star Lake north to High Meadows (Private property).

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride - Strenuous - 6800'/9000' - 3 miles
Technical ride for the experienced mountain biker, this trail drops from 9,000' to 6,800' in three miles. Take the rim Trail from Big Meadow parking lot 2-1/2 miles to Tucker Flat. Turn left and follow the drainage of Saxon Creek. In two miles the trail forks again. The right fork leads to Oneidas Street off of Pioneer Trail. The left fork leads to highway 89, south of the Highway 89/50 junction. Watch for hikers and equestrian riders on the trail and pass with caution and courtesy.

Genoa Peak

Genoa Peak - Moderate - 7720'/8680' - 8 to 12 miles
Enjoy a moderate ride along a ridgeline with scenic views of the Lake Tahoe Basin to the west and Carson Valley to the east. Several spurs off the main road access peaks, Genoa Peak being the highest (9,150). An excellent 10-mile loop off the main ridge is possible. NOTE: Mountain bikes are not ailowed on the Rim Trail, from Highway 207 to Spooner Summit. From South Lake Tahoe, take Kingsbury Grade (Highway 207) and turn left on North Benjamin Road, which turns in Andria Drive. Continue to the end of the pavement and park. Take Genoa Peak Road (14N32). A longer trip is possible if you take two cars. Park the second vehicle off of Highway 50 behind the Nevada department of Transportation Station (NDOT), ¼ miles south of the Highway 28 and 50 junction.

Brockwav Summit To Martis Peak

Brockway Summit to Martis Peak - Moderate/Strenuous - 7 120'/8660' - 5 miles
The Martis Peak road is a short 5-mile climb well worth the effort. Drive north on Highway 267 from Kings Beach to Brockway summit. Park mile past the summit on Forest Service road.

Mckinney/Rubicon Road

McKinney/Rubicon Road - Moderate/Strenuous - 6400'/7200' - 6 to 15 miles
A world class OHV road that offers a variety of biking opportunities from loop rides to difficult peak climbs. From Highway 89 north of Tahoma turn west onto McKinney-Rubicon Road, bear left onto McKinney-Rubicon Springs Road. Turn left on Bellevue, right on McKinney Road, bear left onto McKinney-Rubicon Springs Road, and continue to the dirt road and park. A longer ride is possible by taking two cars and parking one car at Blackwood Canyon.

Marlette Lake/Flume Trail

Marlette Lake & The Flume Trail - Strenuous - 7000'/8300', 23 mile loop - Flume Trail 5 miles to Marlette Lake
Located in Nevada State Park, this popular trail is often crowded in the summer. Challenging even the expert rider, the trail begins east of the picnic area near Spooner Lake. Turn left on the dirt road that heads toward the meadow and follow a sandy road for 5 miles to Marlette Lake. Turn left across the darn. With magnificent views of Lake Tahoe, this single-track trail lies 1,500 feet above the lake. Remember to wear your safety helmet. Caution: Do not attempt If you are afraid of heights or unfamiliar with your bike. The trail ends at Tunnel Creed road. To make a loop, turn right and ride to the top of the ridge. You will reach Twin Lakes in 3/2 mile. 7/10's of a mile past the lake sign turn right or continue to the next main road and turn right. Turn right again on Forest Service Road 504, climb the ridge and where the road forks, continue straight to Marlette Lake. Take Highway 28 to the Spooner Lake parking lot at Nevada State Park. A parking fee is charged. If you have two cars, limited parking is available at Tunnel Creek Road by Ponderosa Ranch.