ActivitiesHikingMonkey Rock Trailhead
Monkey Rock Trailhead
East Shore, hiking, moderate
Walk up Tunnel Creek Road behind the Tunnel Creek Cafe, inside Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, then take the spur to a granite bluff with a broad view of the lake and the boulder that gives the hike its name. Dogs on leash.
In short: Monkey Rock Trailhead is a moderate hike on Lake Tahoe's East Shore: 2.6 mi round trip, 500 ft of elevation gain, a high point of 6,850 ft. The season is Apr – Oct, no permit is needed, dogs are allowed.
- Distance, round trip
- 2.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 500 ft
- High point
- 6,850 ft
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Where it is
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Trail details
- Wide view over the north lake
- The monkey-shaped boulder
- Steady climb on a dirt road
- Steep shortcut for the way down
- Trail
- Monkey Rock via Tunnel Creek Road
- Season
- Apr – Oct
- Permit
- None needed
- Parking
- Paid parking at Tunnel Creek, $2 per person state park fee at the gate
- Dogs
- Allowed
Go with a guide. Walk the basin with a local guide, on a trail matched to your group and the season.
Guided hikeConditions today
- Right now
- 72°F, Sunny
- Today
- High 72°, low 48°
- Wind
- 8 mph
- Campfires
- Metal rings only
- TomorrowPartly Cloudy, 10% chance of rain68° 45°
- ThuMostly Clear, 5% chance of rain74° 50°
- FriPM Storms, 75% chance of rain61° 44°
Know before you go
- Permits
- Desolation Wilderness needs a permit for both day hikes and overnight trips. Most other trails in the basin need none.
- Parking
- Lots at Eagle Falls, D.L. Bliss and other popular trailheads fill by 9am on summer weekends. Start early or go midweek.
- Altitude
- Trailheads start around 6,300 feet and the highest summits top 10,000. Carry more water than you would at sea level and take the first day easy.
- Weather
- Summer afternoons can bring thunderstorms. Plan to be off exposed ridges and summits by early afternoon.
More hiking within 5 miles
- Sand Harbor Lakeside Trail1.5 mi, easy
- Diamond Peak MTB / Tahoe Meadows Connector1.9 mi, strenuous
- Stateline Lookout Trailhead2.7 mi, easy
- East Shore Trail Trailhead4.2 mi, easy
Nearest campgrounds
- Spooner Backcountry Campgrounds8.3 mi, 15 sites
- Lake Forest Campground11.4 mi, 20 sites
- Tahoe State Recreation Area12.1 mi, 23 sites