Fallen Leaf Lake is an alpine glacial lake located along Fallen Leaf Road off California State Route 89 in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of South Lake Tahoe, California 96150. Carved during the Tahoe and Tioga glacial stages by glaciers descending from the Desolation Wilderness, the lake stretches roughly 2.9 miles north to south and nearly one mile wide at an elevation of 6,377 feet, sitting approximately 150 feet higher than neighboring Lake Tahoe. Reachable via a narrow, winding forest road just three miles north of the Camp Richardson intersection, this deep mountain basin draws hikers, kayakers, anglers, and campers seeking granite peaks, cold mountain waters, and direct trail access to Mount Tallac and Glen Alpine Falls.
What to Expect at Fallen Leaf Lake
Framed by lateral moraines and the 9,738-foot summit of Mount Tallac on its western flank, Fallen Leaf Lake reaches depths of 415 feet with an average depth of 240 feet. Because Taylor Creek flows out of its northern tip directly into Lake Tahoe across Baldwin Beach, the lake supports a cold-water ecosystem populated by Mackinaw (lake trout), rainbow trout, brown trout, and Kokanee salmon. At the northern shoreline, the US Forest Service operates the large Fallen Leaf Campground, which accommodates tents, trailers, RVs, and six reservable yurts beneath towering Jeffery pines, white firs, and autumn-gold quaking aspens.
Driving south along single-lane Fallen Leaf Road brings visitors past historic summer cabins and Stanford Sierra Camp to the southern end of the basin, where the Fallen Leaf Lake Marina and Country Store operates during the warmer months. The marina rents motorized fishing boats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes, while its lakeside cafe deck serves burgers, sandwiches, and ice cream overlooking the dock and Cathedral Peak. Just beyond the marina near Lily Lake, rugged granite trailheads climb past cascading Glen Alpine Falls and the stone ruins of Nathan Gilmore’s 1884 Glen Alpine Springs Resort—featuring an early 20th-century assembly hall designed by architect Bernard Maybeck—on their way into the Desolation Wilderness. Visitors can review seasonal recreation updates on the official Visit Lake Tahoe guide.
- Glen Alpine Falls: A 65-foot stair-step waterfall at the southern tip of the lake along Glen Alpine Creek, easily viewed from the roadside pullout during peak snowmelt in May, June, and July.
- Fallen Leaf Lake Marina & General Store: The southern shore launch point offering boat and kayak rentals, aquatic invasive species inspections, fishing tackle, and a casual outdoor grill with views of Mount Tallac.
- Fallen Leaf Campground: A 206-site US Forest Service campground near the northern shore with tent and RV sites, seasonal yurts, bear-proof food lockers, and walking paths to both the lake and Taylor Creek.
- Moraine Trail: A flat, family-friendly 2-mile out-and-back dirt path branching off the campground that winds through pine and aspen groves to the rocky eastern shoreline.
- Glen Alpine Trailhead to Desolation Wilderness: The primary southern gateway for day hikes and overnight backpacking excursions to Susie Lake, Heather Lake, Lake Aloha, and the summit of Mount Tallac.
Fallen Leaf Lake at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Fallen Leaf Road (off CA-89), South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit / Southwest Shore |
| Operating Hours | Lake and trails accessible daily from dawn to dusk; Marina and Campground facilities typically operate 9:00 AM–5:00 PM mid-May through mid-October |
| Admission / Price Range | Free trail access ($); USFS day-use parking $10; Campground sites $40–$52/night ($–$$) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 2 to 4 hours for paddling or short hikes; full day for wilderness trekking |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Tahoe Transportation District Route 55 (seasonal along CA-89); designated trailhead, campground, and marina lots |
| Official Website & Phone | tahoesouth.com | +1 530-544-2628 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
To reach Fallen Leaf Lake from downtown South Lake Tahoe, take US-50 West to the “Y” junction and turn north onto California State Route 89 (Emerald Bay Road) for 2.8 miles, then turn left onto Fallen Leaf Road immediately opposite the Taylor Creek Visitor Center entrance. Because the southern stretch of Fallen Leaf Road narrows to a single lane with paved turnouts for passing vehicles, drive slowly, yield to oncoming cars, and never park along the road shoulders where strict tow-away zones are enforced for fire-lane clearance. In July and August, the small Glen Alpine Trailhead lot and marina parking spaces routinely fill before 8:00 AM; arriving around 7:00 AM on weekdays is the most reliable strategy for securing a legal spot.
Physical accessibility varies across the basin: the northern Fallen Leaf Campground features paved loop roads, accessible restroom facilities, and selected ADA-compliant campsites, while the roadside pullout at Glen Alpine Falls offers direct views from a vehicle or paved shoulder, though shoreline trails consist of uneven dirt, tree roots, and granite boulders. Day hikers entering the Desolation Wilderness must fill out a free self-issue permit at the Glen Alpine Trailhead kiosk, while overnight backpackers require advance recreation permits. After exploring the basin, pair your trip with a stop at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center and its Rainbow Trail underwater fish viewing chamber just across CA-89, historic Camp Richardson Resort and Pope Beach five minutes east, or the Vikingsholm Castle viewpoint at Emerald Bay State Park ten minutes north.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year to visit Fallen Leaf Lake?
The main recreation season runs from mid-May through mid-October when Fallen Leaf Road is plowed and free of snow, the US Forest Service campground is open, and the marina operates at the southern shore. Late May and June deliver peak water flow over Glen Alpine Falls, while late September and October bring golden aspen foliage and quieter trails before winter road closures take effect.
Is there an entrance fee or parking charge at Fallen Leaf Lake?
Pedestrian and bicycle entry into the basin is free, and there is no fee to hike into the Desolation Wilderness for the day once you complete a free trailhead permit. Day-use parking at Fallen Leaf Campground costs $10 per vehicle, while the small parking area at the Glen Alpine Trailhead is free on a first-come, first-served basis.
How much time should I budget for a visit to Fallen Leaf Lake?
Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours if you are driving down to photograph Glen Alpine Falls, walk the flat Moraine Trail, and have lunch at the marina store. Travelers renting kayaks or hiking up into the Desolation Wilderness toward Susie Lake or Mount Tallac should budget 4 to 7 hours.
Are dogs and personal boats allowed on Fallen Leaf Lake?
Dogs are welcome on Fallen Leaf Lake trails and inside the campground when kept on a six-foot leash, and they may go off-leash under voice control once inside the Desolation Wilderness boundary. Personal motorized boats may launch at the southern marina only after passing a mandatory Tahoe-basin aquatic invasive species inspection, while non-motorized kayaks and paddleboards can launch directly from public shoreline access points.
When planning your South Lake Tahoe travel guide or browsing verified attractions in South Lake Tahoe, pair this stop with standout local spots including Desolation Hotel, Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe, Sand Harbor State Park, and Glen Alpine Falls (2.8 km away).
