Loch Leven Lakes in Lake Tahoe 2025
A beautiful chain of lakes high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Best time: June–November
Loch Leven is a name that refers to a group of beautiful and accessible lakes in Tahoe National Forest, surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains within Tahoe National Forest in California. The lakes were named after the famous Loch Leven in Central Scotland.
Loch Leven Lakes Trail is usually accessible from early June through November. A 13-km (8.1-mi) moderate out-and-back hike winds from Hampshire Rocks Rd near Big Bend Group Campground off I-80 all the way up to High Loch Leven Lake. Loch Leven offers an iconic high alpine Sierra Nevada lake experience, so it's quite crowded during the summer months. Hikers pass South Yuba River canyon, crossing the ridge, and gradually gaining an elevation of 470 m (1,545 ft). The trail also goes over the 1860s railroad tracks of the Central Pacific railroad, built with help of Chinese labour, which remains one of the major passenger and freight routes to and from California.
Loch Leven chain consists of low, middle, and high Lochs and Salmon Lake with a separate path. Camping at the lakes is possible as well as fishing if you have a license. For campfires, BBQs, backpacking stoves, and lanterns require special permits. Everything is there to relax and enjoy the beautiful Tahoe National Forest.
