van sickle bi-state park

cat1948

Disappointed to find the entrance closed for the season, but the trail was still open. Walked a mile or so under the Gondola. Got a good view & pics of Tahoe. No snow... so sad. Not a tough hike .

DB4WHO

Took a hike led by the resort staff. It was labeled intermediate, and it was with a steady incline. But the view at the top was awesome! Have to climb up on large boulders to get the view, so nice to be with others to get a helping hand. There are other trails in the park, but the one I went one was @ 2.5 miles.

JC-OMCA

Right behind all the glitz of Heavenly Village is a park with trails that ultimately scale the mountain, but can also provide a pleasant hour of mild exertion as you climb through the trees to rocky outlooks with views of the lake. My one quibble: the trails are very poorly marked, and no one at my hotel or even the visitor center near Heavenly Village had a trail map. Still . . . hard to get lost with the Gondola above you and the Lake at the bottom of the mountain.

three90man

The wife, the dogs, and I hiked up to the waterfall which took about 45 minutes. It was a well-groomed relatively easy hike with great lake views. Well worth it!

mini

Van Sickle Bi-State Park is close to the Marriott Hotel where we stay in South Lake Tahoe. It is a popular hiking and equestrian park with trails and some views of Lake Tahoe.

609RobertS

Easily accessed from South Lake Tahoe, its located near the Nevada state line. You can simply start climbing and take a number of different trails. Once you get high enough, after 20-30 minutes or so, the views are awesome and the trails are fun. They are not too taxing, if you are used to walking or can handle a 5k run you will be fine. Be aware that there wasn't a sign right at the park entrance for a trailhead but we just saw a trail and headed up and it worked out fine.

bettyo813

choice of easy to hard Trees changing color Saw Momma bear and two cubs There is a small water fall at the end of one of the trails

ratherbeaway

I really enjouy hiking the trail at VanSickle. The view of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding are are outstanding. I visited a warm day and foolishly hadn't carried water. The trail is well marked but steep. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the fantastic views.

TheGreenLizard

We walked here from our hotel (Basecamp). This was our first hike at Lake Tahoe, so that was magical in itself, but these are relatively easy trails leading to some stunning views of the Lake. Lots of cute chipmunks, too! The only distraction is that you will see the Gondola from time to time which kind of takes about from being in the "wilderness".

HemantD308

We took a 3 hour return hike from the behind the Mariott Trail Head below the Gondola. We hiked up to the waterfall along the 'orange trail.' The views of Lake Tahoe are breathtaking. The tree cover is low initially due to the forest fire. As you travel East you get more sugar pine trees and it becomes more alpine forest like. The trail is gradually climbing and our 8 year old had no trouble hiking the 2 miles and back. Stop and see a nice waterfall along the way.

SoCalGal6

There is a variety of different trails, though the maps were all gone so it's tricky to know where you are going. But there is parking and picnic tables and it was a fun outing.

LeandroS613

We hiked the entire way to the vista at the top of the mountain, which round trip is a 5 hour hike. Don't do the entire way. Seriously. The views at the top of the vista are no more better than the views at .4 mile vista, and you can save alot of time and energy by going to that one. Nonetheless, the hike does have good views along its way.

9whitneyf

Went on this hike in early August with my parents (66 years old) and my daughters (7 & 9). Drive past the back of the Raley's shopping center and you will see the Van Sickle park rock marker. Keep driving straight and you will see an area with bathrooms directly under the Gondola pathway you can park there or if you take a left you will head up a hill to the trailhead where there is also parking. From the trailhead, the vista is .4 miles and with my older parents it took us a good 20-30 minutes stopping regularly. The vista area is on the top of some large rocks, completely beautiful, but you would need to be able to climb a little bit. My parents both did this ok, but my husband was a little nervous about them climbing up. My kids did great! We ended up heading back after the vista, but when I go back I will go the additional .7 miles to the waterfall area. Other hikers told us they did see some water. This is a newer state park, as I understood it, so it was noticeably clean and nice. I can't wait to go back next time we are in town!

185melit

Short hike and very accessible trailhead. The trail ascends about 180 feet, and the vista point was a climb up big rocks on the right side of the trail that were not that obvious, so not for those who cannot climb. Peaceful and beautiful.Three picnic tables at the parking lot and bathroom facilities, though they are holes in the ground. Fun for kids!

Cholla42

Short .4 mile hike to Vista Point. Beautiful Lake view after a short climb up a granite outcropping.