ActivitiesHikingWard Creek / Stanford Rock Trailhead
Ward Creek / Stanford Rock Trailhead
West Shore, hiking, moderate
Loop hike through the Ward Creek valley to Stanford Rock viewpoint overlooking the lake. Quieter than the popular Emerald Bay trails with equally rewarding views. Also rideable as an MTB loop via Blackwood Canyon connector.
In short: Ward Creek / Stanford Rock Trailhead is a moderate hike on Lake Tahoe's West Shore: 10 mi round trip, 1,800 ft of elevation gain, a high point of 7,780 ft. The season is Jun – Oct, no permit is needed, dogs are allowed.
- Distance, round trip
- 10 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,800 ft
- High point
- 7,780 ft
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Where it is
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Trail details
- Stanford Rock viewpoint
- Ward Creek valley
- Old-growth forest
- Less traveled west shore option
- Trail
- Ward Creek — Stanford Rock Loop
- Season
- Jun – Oct
- Permit
- None needed
- Parking
- Free, Ward Creek Blvd off Hwy 89
- 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
- Tahoe City TRT Trailhead2.1 mi, moderate
- Blackwood Canyon / Barker Pass Trailhead3.1 mi, moderate
- Ellis Peak Trailhead3.3 mi, strenuous
- Burton Creek MTB Trailhead3.4 mi, easy
- Five Lakes Trailhead4.1 mi, moderate
Nearest campgrounds
- Tahoe State Recreation Area2.1 mi, 23 sites
- Kaspian Campground2.6 mi, 10 sites
- Lake Forest Campground2.8 mi, 20 sites