Van Sickle Bi-State Park Reviews

I hiked for an hour before seeing another person. Alone on the mountain is awesome. Very well marked trails make it a great hiking place.

We had read some information about this trail and we may have gone on the wrong one. Thought we would see a waterfall, but never did. It was a pretty trail and we had some beautiful views of Lake Tahoe, though.

Awesome hike very close to South Lake Tahoe, and hardly anyone on the trail after the first half mile stop. Gorgeous views!

It's quite difficult to find, but it's at the top of the road between Heavenly gondola area & the mall of shops with Radleys grocers in it. We parked near the horse riding area & wandered around looking for the start of the trail. Saw a notice board with map & followed the trail from there. Met several people who said that we were on the correct trail to Vista Point. It goes through pine trees, but is quite open. It's only 0.4 of a mile & well worth the effort for the fabulous views.

Great hike up to the waterfall. Only took about 30 minutes to walk to the bottom of the falls. For the most part not too strenuous. Worth the time to hike up there...beautiful.

We went in early November so you had to walk-in to the park which added another 20 minutes to the hike. But because it is between seasons the trails are not busy at all. It's a short hike to a overlook of the lake (photo1) but more awesome views await if you continue on the switchback trail to the falls (photo 2). It's about 1.2 miles to the falls and about 600 foot climb but it's well worth it for the views.

Some beautiful views overlooking the casinos and the lake. Park is still in development. We did not go all the way up but what we saw was nice. Uphill but not too hard. Access behind Harrahs.

We stopped here for a picnic then hiked to the falls. What a disappointment. The falls are barely more than a trickle of water down some rocks. The views of the lake were the only reason it gets 3 stars.

Ther is a vista point a short distance from the parking area, maybe 10-15. It is signed on the right side. When you get there, it is a short scramble up a few rocks. Nice location for photos. Great views of mountains and the lake. It appeared to be a destination for mountain bikers and other hiking trails.

Perfect for short hike or after dinner walk. Easy upgrade to a lookout at .6 continue to a seasonal waterfall at 1 mile. Trail eventually connects to the Tahoe Rim trail. Considering how close it is to Stateline it's a great spot to easily get into nature and get away from the bustle of the Stateline area. It's also free.

If you drive to the parking lot in Van Sickle Bi State Park it's just 0.6 miles to a point with a great view of the lake. More ambitious hikers can take advantage of the Tahoe Ridge Trail network to take longer journeys, with the short hike we did as a prelude.

Just a few steps onto the trail and it's easy to appreciate nature's beauty. Long before you get to the wonderful view of the lake there are many vistas in the forest to enjoy.

We did this with our 20 month old toddler. She walked some and got carried some (mostly the terrain is easy, even for her) but in a few spots Mom or Dad needed to give her a lift. As such this was a perfect family outing. Not too much, but because you need a bit of elevation gain to make the view so good, you correctly feel like you worked for it a bit - so satisfying without being a major workout.

We may be back yet this week.

Last weekend we finally got around to hiking at Van Sickle Bi-Sate Park. First off it is a great location with free access for the thousands of people that visit South Lake Tahoe (Right behind Harrah's Casino). Our destination was the waterfall which is a fairly easy moderately uphill hike. When we got to the waterfall we kept going as we thought they must have meant a bigger waterfall. While the waterfall was not big the hike was very enjoyable and offered some great views of the lake and South Lake Tahoe. Most of our group headed on to the TRT while I doubled back to get the car and pick everyone up at the top. If you have two vehicles consider leaving one at the bottom at Van Sickle, and starting the hike at either the TRT Buchanon Rd. trail head or the TRT Kingsbury South Trailhead near the ski lifts and walking downhill about 6-7 miles to make it a longer hike.

Trail-head is at a parking area a few blocks south of the Heavenly gondola boarding area. Few parking spots, but plenty where open when we went. Climb to rim trail is about 1500 feet up, about 3 1/2 miles. Views on the way are awesome.

Wife and I were looking for a easy to moderate hike with a view of the Lake. Did some searching and found Van Sickle Bi-State Park. Started at the beginning and hiked all the way to the small water fall and back which is about 3.5 mile hike. The hike is fairly easy with some steep climb but really not all the difficult. You can also connect to a few other hiking trails from this trail. The trails are fairly well marked to keep on you course. I will say once you get up the mountain the view you get of Lake Tahoe and the South Shore Casino's and Edgewood Golf Course is breath taking. It makes the hike and breathing hard because of the altitude well worth the time and effort. I will say during the hike you will come to a area says scenic view and you have to climb a small but kind of steep path to get to the top. I will say do not waste your time once you get to the top all you can see are more boulders nothing else. But the rest of the was totally great.

Did 2+ mile loops which may for fun runs from nearby hotels. Also, went to the rock outcropping, and to Saddle road (longer run) for variety.

My friends and I were in Tahoe for a wedding and over the course of 5 days they made me climb at least 4 mountains before I told them no more. The Van Sickle trail from Adam’s Way is the only hike that we did that I would come back and do again, and if I lived in the area I could see myself doing regularly.

Even though we were staying on Keller, I made them drive us up the hill to the start of Adam’s Way on Saddle Road to start the hike. Adam’s way is wide and gravely, there is a large rock pile to the left that you can climb. Then the trail starts to get serious. It is downhill for a ways, so in the back of your mind you remember that this will all be uphill on the way home. Around the time you cross into Nevada you pass under the Gondola at Heavenly. At that point we had people yelling at us from the gondola’s asking why we would walk, when we could just pay $60 and ride up?

The trail starts to climb after this, and is not shaded, but these are some of the best views of the lake and town below. Our goal was the bridge/waterfall, but once we got there we were so underwhelmed that we decided to push on. Then the trails all start to diverge and we realized the views weren’t getting any better, so we turned back. Really the biggest reward is the view of the lake and you get this view for a lot of the hike to the waterfall.

We did this hike in early July in tennis shoes and regular athletic clothes and left our water in the car. Very little to no rock scramble, unless you want there to be. Lots of mountain bikers, so watch out.

We had a great time hiking the Van Sickle Park. We didn't go all the way because, unfortunately, I started to have an ocular migraine (which affects my vision) and we had to turn back. What I did see was wonderful! And my daughter went on and climbed a few of the rock outcroppings while I sat and listened to chipmunks. It was a wonderful experience despite my obstacle. :-) And once my vision returned we had a great hike down.

I would very much recommend this trail.

We had a great time on our hike to the falls. The park has a map and the trail is marked. Even easy enough for my ten year old.

Amazing views of Lake Tahoe as you hike uphill. You can stop at the waterfall and be satisfied or plow ahead to the Rim Trail. 3-4 hours round trip to the top. Go early. It can get crowded.

A great hike from the Stagecoach lift base on the Nevada side of Heavenly. From Stagecoach it is about a three hour hike back to South Lake mostly downhill and looking at the lake. Watch out for downhill mountain bikers.

This trail is only a five minute walk from the Heavenly Gondola next to the big casino hotels. A good warm up to get used to the elevation if you live closer to sea level. Modest inclines for just over six kilometers where it joins the Tahoe Rim Trail. You can go forever from there. Very runnable if you are a trail runner. Lots of fun coming down. I did it in just over two hours starting and ending at the gondola base, with time at the top for a snack and pictures. Garmin reads it as 12.75K with 585m of climb. I would recommend this to a group as it's not too hard and there is a creek at the bridge for a cool down. The water is refreshingly cold! I have done this one a few times, always early and hardly see anyone until near the bottom on my way back. And it's in the shade longer than other trails due to it's north west facing slope.

Nice wide easy path to run, jog or hike. No water along it so bring your own water, sunscreen etc. I recommend trail shoes but it’s not particular rocky but if you plan to run this would help. Various views for pictures and the further you go, you get into forest area. Beautiful quiet and safe!

It's 5 min walk from Heavenly village to park entrance. From park parking lot, only 20 min hike to lake Tahoe view. My dog love the easy trail.

The hike here is relativity simple and in the top you will have a great view of the lake! We do not have much time, so this hike was perfect for our plans!

Located just behind the Heavenly Village, Van Sicke is perfect if you are looking for a hike that is the closest to the casino coridor. There is a small waterfall just a short ways in that I was surprised to still be flowing this time of year considering the drought! There is plenty of parking but just a short walk from the casinos.

I really enjoyed this beautiful park with its variety of trails. So nice that it's easily accessible from the center of South Lake Tahoe, right behind Raley's. It includes a waterfall as well as fantastic views of the lake. Its easy to follow the clearly marked trails - highly recommend it for any hikers and day trippers.

The hike up to the waterfall is pretty easy, not a ton of shade cover so bring sun protection. The waterfall itself is quite small, but the views of the lake are awesome!

Easy access from stateline hotels. Beautiful views including a little waterfall. Can hook up to the Tahoe Rim Trail & make your hike as long as you want.

This is moderate hiking trail and should be in average health or above to go. The view to the lake from above is excellent. The Falls is small comparing to Eagle Falls, but at least we've seen it. It's very close to Heavenly Village (can walk from there).
We enjoyed 2-3 hours hiking there in PM

I do this hike EVERY time I go to Tahoe, mostly cuz it's walking distance from my hotel, but also cuz it's my happy place. I basically tag the waterfall then turn around. It's never too busy, but also not so quiet that it feels spooky. If you see me up there don't judge me for lip syncing to the music on my headphones.

I learned this is the only state park in the country that is in two states. You'll want to park near the equestrian parking and hike the trail from there. There's a cute cascading waterfall about 0.9 miles ( 20-30 mins) in. There's a also a vista point where you can see the entire lake, and a great sunset ( about .3 miles in). Once you make it to the top, it has rewarding summit views and a great look of Mt. Tallac. Kids can hike to the waterfall no problem. The total trail is around 3.2 miles, and mostly uphill. Also, remember it is around 7,000 Ft elevation, so if you're not used to thin air, it can be a little tiring, nothing you can't do though ;)

Not a bad little place. All levels of trails. You can connect with the Tahoe Rim Trail or just wander around the general area.
Trails are clearly marked and there is plenty of free parking.
It is easily accessed from the casino area. A very short walk

We visited knowing it was a snow crap shoot in November— but found this hike right outside the Marriott Village areas...
Well maintained, easy to moderate hike takes you up for gorgeous views of the lake.. Pack a snack and spend a few hours you won’t be disappointed!

Relatively easy hike especially for the first mile or so. Depending on fitness,skill level or age, some may find it more difficult. Scenery and vistas are beautiful. We planned on biking part of the way but the trail was too difficult for novice riders. We ended up parking the bikes and hiking (although some biked down). Due to the drought the first waterfall was dry. We didn't go as far as the second waterfall that some reviewers mentioned.

What a great park. Well kept and clean. Offers many different trails. We did the Vista Spur to the Tahoe Rim Trail. It's a 3.5 mile walk. Bring lots of water with you. There is one small waterfall. The water was super cold. I guess there was a fire about 13 years ago. unbelievable what it did to the trees. Felt really good on our faces. Great hike, I would recommend.

Great trail, moderate elevation gain, nice little waterfall at just the right location along the way. The views are awesome!!!

Since I was staying at the Marriott, I took the guided group 2 mile hike. I eventually went off on my own since the group was slow moving and I wanted to hike up to a small waterfall, which I highly recommend. The views are amazing. Take it slow if you're not in shape

We rode the trail a few times just to the waterfall. The last time was all the way to 7777. Great ride. Connected to the Tahoe RimTrail. Beautiful

We did the Van Sickle connector trail on a warm afternoon in mid-June from the beginning in the park to the Lake Tahoe rim trail (almost 7 miles in total). The first 2.5 miles of the hike offered nice views of the lake, but there is no need to go further on the trail than that as the remainder of the hike is heavily wooded traveling away from the lake. Due to the proximity of the trail head being so close to the South Lake Tahoe town, would recommend checking out at least the first mile of the hike to the small waterfall. That being said, the parking lot is very small, so would go early in the day.

These were fairly easy hikes, and the views of the entire lake were breathtaking. If you start at street level, you can even be in two places at once on the California/Nevada state line! :) We didn't make it as high as we'd liked, as novice hikers, we didn't have enough water/snacks for the kids. Go prepared and stay all day!

This park is right behind many of the casinos in the area. Easy to get to and has a variety of options for hiking. Take your camera! Make sure you look for Sugar Pine Cones and hike to the waterfall. Take a picture as you straddle the state line between California and Nevada! Well worth the time!

This is an easy hike up to a vista view and a small waterfall. The views are great as you get up past the vista view. We were a bit disappointed with the waterfall because we didn't know how small it was going to be. The best part of the hike are the vista views, not the waterfall. They also built a bridge over the waterfall which takes away from the beauty.

About 5 minutes from behind the Harrah's Casino I found the road to trailhead. Trail is very smooth so tennis shoes are fine. Trail meanders up at a very modest incline. Elevation notwithstanding, I would rate beginning of this hike as easy. I saw couples taking toddlers. After about .3 miles, there is a vista that requires steep climb, but rewards with great views. The trail (van sickle trail/Orange markers) does get slightly steeper, but still smooth and fairly easy. I transferred over to trail with red markers and made it a loop. I was probably very close to the waterfall, I should have kept going.

I hiked the trailhead during the evening and it was perfect! The trail was challenging but doable (I’m not in the best shape). The forest and the views were fantastic and I would definitely do it again. Would totally recommend.

Great hike along the trails just below Heavenly. Very peaceful among the trees and nature, easy trail which leads to another trail which will take you further up the mountain. Hopefully will do that trail next time around

This was an absolutely gorgeous hike. It offers beautiful terraine, lots of trees, you get to walk beneath some of the Gondola lines, and best of all it has some absolutely gorgeous views Lake Tahoe, not to mention that you get the fun of walking over the California and Nevada dividing line. One of my favorite parts of my Tahoe experience.

Walk the trail to the falls. It is 1.1 miles each way. The views are spectacular. Don't forget to notice the wildlife.

we hiked this every day of our visit. we loved it. The ONLY thing not so good is the garbage dumped by human pigs.

Great hike for families! Easy to get to and well marked. Takes about 1 1/2 to complete, roughly 3 miles. Very picturesque. Very safe.

I have visited this park as a family, a couple and alone. Each experience was relaxing and rewarding. If not walking in from one of the resorts be sure to arrive early for parking. Please be courteous of those driving if you decide to take a picture laying in the state line. Get it done quickly and don’t hold up the cars.

Lots of rocks for climbing, my kids loved it. The state line between Cali and Nevada is marked on the path, so it’s a fun photo stop!

Beautiful view of Lake Tahoe at the end of the trail. Then you can continue on to get to the waterfall.

Van sickle bi state park is one of the tourist attractions and situated on the south eastern part of Lake Tahoe. This state park is a public recreation area straddling the border of California and Nevada States. It overlooks lake Tahoe. Easy to access and trails are there.

As you park walk a short 1/4 mile walk to a great spot overlooking the lake and town. Very quiet and serene.

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".

Hiked Van Sickle again. Everyone who comes to visit marvels at the views and they love the gentle nature of the switchback hike. Try it!

We visited during the depths of winter, but it was sunny and crisp - gorgeous! Amazing views with varying different types of terrain based on your ability.

Amazing view of Lake Tahoe from top of the trail. A good 20-30 minutes hike in order to get to mid top in order to see above the tree line and in view of the Lake.

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.

The Heavenly Cable Car wasn't in service when I was there, they were getting it ready for the Winter Season. Another tourist suggested I go here and do the walks, so Very Pleased I took their advice. Once your elevated a little, there are Great views of the Lake, Lake Tahoe and beyond. Further in the best bit - Peace, Quiet, with stunning Nature in all its glory. I felt quite safe, the trails vary in length, and are OK for a reasonably active person to walk, following sensible guide lines you will be fine. Phone, water, appropriate footwear for the uneven paths, and tell someone where you are going. I did meet other people on the trails, who also offered me lots of tips and information.
I walked up from my Hotel, as the Park commences just behind the Heavenly Village, however there is a car park. Enter the Park, and when the road forks, take a left, its on the left.

We were there over Christmas and it was hard to park nearby. We found a place, a short walk away. Didn't have to pay. Parking was the hard part. The hike is a glorious way to get out of South Lake Tahoe and the crowds and enjoy the scenery from a high elevation. Bring water & sunscreen. Signs can be a little confusing but you can always see the Gondola so you can find your way down.

This park straddles the Nevada and California state lines and is right next to Heavenly ski area. There are several hiking trails and a road that goes through the park. Parking is close, and the hikes are fairly easy to do. There are great areas to view the lake and the village below. It is well kept up and open from sunrise to sunset.

We enjoyed a beautiful Autumn afternoon hiking up to a small, hidden waterfall. The trail winds through pines highlighted by flashes of yellow groves of (ash?) trees. The rim trail is well marked and suitable for moderately fit hikers. We hiked about 7 miles, leaving from the Stardust Lodge. There are paths to shorten or lengthen your hike.

Nice fairly easy hiking trail, beautiful scenery! There were quite a few of us, some that had to go a little slower, its an easier trail!

This is an easy walk through meadow areas as well as forrest. You climb a pretty gentle incline and from time to time, get rewarded with beautiful views of Lake Tahoe and the mountains on the far side, Only downside is that the trails are not particularly well marked and signage is a bit confusing. But a moment or two of indecision and a false start and dead end don't overly detract from the beauty and sense of accomplishment.

This is a very attractive park, the hiking is a bit strenuous, but, well worth it. The views are so fantastic!
Back a bite and bring lots of water. Enjoy!

This is a great trail. Ample parking. Close to town. Trail is well marked. Moderate difficulty. But the views are fantastic. The higher you go the better the views. Then comes a lovely walk in the forest.

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!

There's a little bit of a climb on this hike, but it's nothing too difficult for anybody. I imagine if you were up for more than a few days breathing would be easier, but even still the hike is pretty easy. About 20 minutes or so up the trail and you can see the lake over the trees, another 15 minutes and you reach a trickling waterfall (I imagine it's great in the spring!)

trail starts in van Sickle park behind Harrahs casino. Adequate parking. Fairly steep hike of about a mile to the (small) waterfall then you can hike another 2.5 miles to the top of the ridge where it meets the Tahoe Rim Trail. From there you can look down to Lake Taho and over the other side of the range to Carson Valley. Superb views on the way up but it is hard work getting there. Good but narrow trail. Walking sticks are a help for the over-40's. Take a rucksack with water and a snack. Also a warm cover-up as is can quickly get cold up at almost 8000 feet at the top. If you go a little further at the top to see down into Carson valley, the round trip is 8-9 miles and took me about 4.5 hours at a fairly energetic pace

The lake and mountain views are pretty spectacular. Make sure you take the off shoot trail that is marked for the Vista Point for a panoramic view.

Parking at the trailhead, moderate incline, and beautiful views! You can see the entire lake and a few small waterfalls on the way!

The entry area is just behind the Raley's shopping center near the casinos. There's parking and clean restrooms. We're not big time outdoors types, but there were areas that were suitable for day hikes for us. We had beautiful view of the lake from behind and above the casinos. It was really nice to get outside and enjoy just a taste of nature. It's a good place to hike with your dog as well. However, be warned, some hikers allow their off leash dogs to run wild. We saw a couple with four large German Shepherd type dogs running off leash and well away from their owners. Even "good dogs" can be terrifying when they are running in a "pack" like this. So, if you bring your leashed dog, just be sure to keep your eyes open. Overall, this is a great place for a day hike.

We stayed at Timber Lodge and this was within a block, so it made for excellent hiking opportunities without even having to drive. Also, there is a shuttle which can take you to the far end on the Nevada side, on Kingsbury Grade I believe, if you want to hike the 7 mile trail back to South Lake Tahoe. We just explored the immediate area, but plan to do that next time. There are some beautiful lake views as you go on up the mountain.

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.

We were going to ride the gondola up to the top of the mountain but it was too windy and it was shut down. Instead we drove up the hill through Heavenly Village, looking to see how far up the Gondola went, and found the van sickle trailhead. If you just want a great view of the lake hike 0.2 miles up to the vista point. Breathtaking. We continued on the trail and did the Cal-Nev loop, a few miles round trip, we don't hike much further than 2-3 miles round trip, and it was gorgeous.

If you can find a place to stash your car (entrance to park is closed in winter), this is a great central location to walk in a few hundred feet and do a little sledding in the snow.

Spent about 3 hours trekking this hike, overall a quiet and relaxing hike, not too many folks on the trail...just the way I like it. Free Parking, hiked to the Vista point, Amazing Views there, and then up the Tahoe Rim Trail....it winds up the mountain and you hit a "waterfall" along the way...nothing really special in my opinion, keep trekking up, you see Amazing views Lake Tahoe and the snow-capped mountains on the west of the lake. I went up about another 1 or so, couldn't go much further, due to their still being snow on the ground and not easy to maneuver thru wearing strictly walking sneakers....But do smell the air, deep breathing and breathe in all the lovely pine trees aromas, ....'pure heaven'....in my opinion!

if you want to take a hike with great views, this one is it. It eventually goes to a waterfall that is anti-climatic, but the walk to the top is beautiful.

Visit the history of South Lake Tahoe two block from downtown. A short walk brings you to some large boulders to view the casinos and Lake Tahoe. A longer hike will bring you to the top of Heavenly in Nevada.

Two good sized car parks that lead to a multitude of trails. Good for hiking with young children. Would recommend going in the morning before the heat gets too much!

Moderate hike up to Van Sickle. About a mile up and a mile back. I did it on a surgically repaired knee with no issues. Another 2 miles up gets you to the top. The falls are not powerful and impressive like alot youll find in other parks;but the hike is great and the falls are peaceful and beautiful.

If your looking for a short hike in Tahoe, this is definitely the winner. Van Sickle State Park is closed part of the year, but regardless you can park across the street and walk into it. The actual hike is only .4 miles and leads up to a breath taking viewpoint. If the park is closed and you have to walk the whole way, it is still under 2 miles. It is super kid friendly and very rewarding. There are several big boulders at the ending point, which you climb up and it gives you a full view of the lake/mountains. There is a longer trail, that is about 3 miles 1-way. This hike is one of the best in Tahoe. Enjoy!

This was a wonderful little hike within walking distance of all the of Heavenly resorts. The trail is in great shape - mostly hard pack dirt, but some rocks as you get higher. We did this on a chilly and WINDY October afternoon and it was kind of cool watching the rain coming down on the other side of the lake (but not on us!). Ran into a few other hikers, but not terribly crowded. The waterfall at the top is small, but flowing steadily - very picturesque. Great views of South Lake Tahoe.

Very enjoyable hike. Some nice views and considered a moderate hike. Lots of people hiking with their dogs and a few kids on mountain bikes. Saw 3 huge bucks really close to trail.

Van Sickle is easy to get to and features some beautiful hiking. The entrance is behind the Marriott Vacation Club so you can walk to it from anywhere in town. There's a nice hike up to some quaint falls that will provide breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area. And there's a longer loop hike you can do if want to log more time on the side of the mountain.

Wow! The view's are awesome. I got some fantastic pictures on this hike. I went by myself, and at my own pace. I was hunting waterfalls. This trail is very popular with extreme mountain bikers... extreme being the key word here. I hiked up, and up... the trail just keeps going up. I thought I was going to die! I'm in my mid 50's and in moderate health. I really enjoy hiking and exploring, but this one was really tough. If your in good shape, and want a challenge, this is for you! Only open in late Spring, Summer and Fall

The Tahoe Rim Trail is easily accessed by Van Sickle. The park is very close to Fire and Ice which is a perfect spot for lunch after a hike.

Laid back trail. Nice and wide. Not too steep. Casual set of trails. Can take you all day, or just an hour depending and what you want. Right by all the cool stuff at stateline

this park is right on the nevada california boarder.....located right off of main street behind all the hotels......easy to get to by foot or car, many different paths to take, for as long as you want them to be. some loop, some go on forever, some are just one way......great vistas of the lake, the mountains and the scenery is breath taking.....loved this place, enjoyed it on three different days.....

California/Nevada share this no-fee state park; very close to west side of South Lake Tahoe/Stateline. Several hiking trails, a waterfall (no water flowing due to area drought), and equestrian trails. Hiking trails are a bit "rustic" (narrow, not maintained much), but not too steep and easy to hike. Bring own drinking water. Not too many people around, which can be both a positive & a negative, depending upon one's interest. Was advised by one local to watch for bears at this time of year.

The park entrance is only steps away from the center of South Lake Tahoe and offers a great escape from the crowds. Hiking trails abound throughout the park and vary in degree of difficulty so there are trails for all levels of hikers. The TRT connector was improved and the new trail with switch-backs now provides a pleasant hike to the waterfall for all levels of hikers.

Go enjoy a SCENIC hike in this beautiful state park located right IN TOWN!
- One of its MANY trails leads to a TINY but CHARMING waterfall at 7K feet elevation!
- FREE parking, too!

This park has many scenic, easy/moderate trails with gorgeous views of the lake, casinos, Rabe Meadow... yonder BELOW the mountain.
- You can enjoy the hike there as few as 2 miles to well beyond 10+miles if you choose to hike on to The Rim Trail!

CONVENIENT LOCATION & FREE PARKING

The park entrance is behind Raley's Grocery Store, at the intersection of Heavenly Village Way/Montreal.

If you live in that area, you can simply walk in and get on the trails. If you drive, parking is FREE in its 2 lots, one in the California side, the other on the Nevada side; both have toilet facilities.
- OPEN from Dawn to Dusk, May 1 to Oct 31.

THE ~1.5 MILE HIKE TO THE TINY WATERFALL

The first 1 mi hike is easy, scenic and mostly shaded. The last 0.7mi climb on switchbacks is rated as almost moderate.

The Trailheads of Barn Trail/CA and Van Sickle Trail/NV are nearby the parking lots. Either trail can lead to the mid-hill meadow. The Van Sickle Trail is more direct and shorter, being less than 1mi. In that mid-hill meadow, at the trail intersection, you can see an interpretive board and a Trail Sign Post. Just follow the "Green Cascade" signs to get on the Switchbacks, leading to to the bridge and the small waterfall. The trail on the switchbacks is about 0.7mi long, leading to the little waterfall at an elevation of 7,000+ ft, a steady climb of 800 ft vertical. This part of the trail is rated as "moderate" with a few steeper, rocky sections. But, almost at each switchback, you are rewarded with gorgeous views!

It's a good idea to wear good, comfy shoes and bring water and snacks. There are many nice, scenic spots to rest and enjoy the scenery! Although a good portion of the trails are shaded, it's still wise to apply sunscreen and bug repellent. Oh, that interpretive board tells the interesting but tragic story of the once burned down forest under the gondola tower, and its revival efforts.

The trail to the waterfall is only 1.5mi one way, but you can certainly extend the hike by going beyond the waterfall, or by branching out to the Rim Trail.
- My wife and I squeezed in a 5+mi loop one afternoon. We started out on the Barn Trailhead above the park entrance, hiked onto the Cal-Nev Trail before getting on the switchbacks to the waterfall; we then came back down via Van Sickle Trail to the NV parking lot. From there we walked on the paved road, crossing the "State Line Marker" of CA/NV, back to the parking lot on the Nevada side. Actually, if you venture out on the Rim Trail off the switchbacks you could hike on for miles and miles!

On the other hand, even if you don't want to hike up to the waterfall, you can still enjoy your hike on trails up to and around the mid-hill, and take in spectacular views at various vista spots!

My wife and I had a fabulous time hiking in this beautiful park. We saw hikers of all ages and stripes, from giggling toddlers to speeding young men/women, to slow going old grandpas like me...!

Go enjoy!

Peter, July 2016

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!

The trail was well marked and easy to follow, average difficulty. Beautiful views of the mountains, lakes. There is a waterfall located about a mile up. We arrived around 8 and the trail was mostly empty, but started getting busy around 9:30.

Trails are a Steady uphill climb. Nothing too difficult. No scrambling. Beautiful views the whole way. Probably not a good choice in the snow. I hiked this trail in early November 2025. Sunny with temperatures in the mid to upper '50s. All around perfect experience.

Watch out for wildlife. I did encounter a bobcat.

A lovely, relatively easy hike. I started just past mid-afternoon so it was very nice and quiet (the throngs seem to prefer mornings) - in 2 hours, I saw only 3 other pairs of hikers. The trail is clear and easy to follow, and mostly fairly wide (watch out for occasional horse turd). Parts of it gets a little steep so take your time if you're new to hiking. I wanted only a short, relaxing hike so I took the Barn Trail and part of the CA/Nevada loop - did not feel up to the entire route to the waterfall or trail rim. Still, I was not disappointed scenery-wise - scrambling on top of two different boulder vista points, especially the one along the CA/Nevada loop, was worth the panoramic view of the lake.

Even with stopping a few times to check out the chipmunks, have a snack, and enjoy the view, it took me less than 2 hours to cover maybe half of the trail. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a more easygoing hike.

I was very pleased with the trail we hiked within the park. Beautiful views were all around. Trails are in good condition and the waterfall is such a refreshing break toward the top.

We opted NOT to spend the $50 to take the gondola to the top of the hill. We decided to walk. The waterfall at the top was not flowing much (The one by Emerald Bay was more impressive). Tip: drive to the parking lot and walk from there. Cuts the walk by 2 miles.

Trails are moderate in difficulty and well marked. Views of the lake are wonderful. A hiking stick is helpful.

We were able to get a spot in the parking lot around 3 PM on a Saturday. We took a walk along a trail that heads straight up the mountain, below the gondolas, until it terminates in a large outcropping of boulders with some nice views of Lake Tahoe. We could have backtracked and found more trails. The short walk was mostly uphill, so we decided to head back to the car.

It was a pleasant experience overall. There were very few other hikers on the trail, which was nice.

Really neat place to get a view of the town below and the lake, Mountains in the backdrop. Easy to get to from town

We really enjoyed the hike through Van Sickle. We went on a loop hike for approximately 5 miles, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the change of climates between the states, and the seclusion. My only complaint is that they need more signs!! We walked quite a ways into the park before we had an indication of where we were going. Either that, or a park map located at the entrance. But the views were just gorgeous, and the trees smelled amazing. Be sure to look for the gigantic pine cones, and wave to the people passing overhead in the Gondola!

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.

Must go for hikers. Make sure to go to the right at the 4 tenths (.4) of a mile mark to the Vista site for great photo ops.. And then continuing on to the 1.1 mile mark there is a small "waterfall" and a little farther there are some more great views. I heard that the trail continues on to a 2nd "waterfall" and it seems like it just keeps getting better the farther you go.
Easy access by car at the entrance which is right behind Raleys' on Montreal St. Drive up a little ways and park at the trailhead. Was not busy even on July 4th weekend.

We stayed at Marriot's Lodge...so this is right behind the hotel. Got a early start about 8:30 a.m. Perfect to get there early, because there is not much parking! We hiked for about an hour and half. It is very scenic and just right when hiking with a 20,19 and 14 year old. You can go as long as you want it keeps going and going!

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.

Right behind Heavenly is Van Sickle. We did the trail to the falls and back down. Nice hike with great views. The driveway to the parking lot has the CA/NV border line (for photo ops).

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!

This are great trails and the views are amazing. Some trails are not easy to follow and could use more signage. Definitely download an app. There are no facilities. Entrance is free.

This is a little know hidden gem for those while like a leisurely hike. The trails are easily navigated and zigzag through the most beautiful pine trees. About half way to the top you will encounter the "waterfall" which is actually a small stream which you cross over by foot bridge. Don't underestimate this hike, the views are stunning, about 7 miles round trip!!

This is an easy to moderate hike depending on how active you are. We hiked to the waterfall which was beautiful but the view from the Vista point can't be beat. I could have sat on those rocks half the day! What's great about this hike is also the location. If you are staying at any of hotels in Heavenly Village you can just start out from your room. I look forward to doing the hike again and going further. My kids are 7 and 8 and active but not sure with the elevation they could go as far as the waterfall.

Right behind our hotel is the entrance road to this park. You drive to the top of the road where you are straddling the Ca/Nev line. The parking lot has picnic tables, huge boulders, restrooms and the trailhead. No view of the Lake from there and we weren’t prepared for a 2 mile hike uphill for about 45 minutes, hopefully next time.

The elevation is a little challenging but it is worth it. Parking is difficult but if you go real early or kinda later in the afternoon like we did, then you can find good parking.

This is easy to find, park and follow the trail signs. Pretty good elevation but you are continually rewarded with gorgeous views. The Falls were running well for late September and the hike was lots of fun.

Great place for a snow shoe or a walk in the winter. Happened to go when the resorts were closed and really nice because it was quiet.

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 .

We tried the park on our last day. It’s easy to miss as it’s right off the strip and near the gondolas on the California side. In fact, as you drive in the park you see them going overhead so it’s definitely a view you don’t see in a regular park.

When we drove in (no charge), we saw a general information station and went past it and went to the main trailhead. We decided to just go to the scenic overview (about a 15 minute walk, a good portion uphill) since we had a five year old with us. There is a sign warning about bears in the area but thankfully we didn’t see any. Once you get to the scenic area you have to climb some rocks to see the view. I was a little disappointed they didn’t build at least a small platform to stand on as I’m assuming some people are not going to be able to climb it and then not be able to see it.

Once we were done with that, we really didn’t see anything else to do. I’m sure you can have a nice picnic or maybe do a horse ride, but we didn’t see any other activities or a playground. Maybe we missed it so unless you are into hiking, you are probably better off going to the Bijou Community Park.

Loved this trail since it was our first one after arriving in town and was a short walk to the trailhead from the Marriott in Heavenly Village. The ascent definitely got our heart rates up, and doing the full 3.3 up to the Rim Trail and a little further to an awesome vista was more than we were planning when we started, but all glad we did it. The trail appears to be popular with mountain bikers, but everyone was friendly and accommodating on the trail. For those driving to the trail head, there is decent parking. For those staying in Heavenly Village, definitely worth the walk to the trail head and enjoying awesome views of the lake.

Terrific location, right behind the large Raley's shopping center - lots of hiking trails and mountain biking too. Go with a bear bell in September when the bears are active going from park to lake for feasting. They need to know you're around. Most the trails are moderate to going up up up. You can take the gondola and hike down into the park. In the summer, here are several ranger type programs offered.

We went snowshoeing on a snowy day. Despite being located close to civilization, it felt remote. We only saw one other person while out, but like I said it was snowing for most of the time. It was beautiful. It's also a safe place to wander without getting lost. It is bordered by the gondola lift to the west, civilization to the north, a highway to the east and the nearly straight incline to the peak immediately south. It was a great place place to snowshoe in soft snow and ungroomed trails. I would recommend parking at the parking garage a block away.

Nice hike with beautiful views of the lake. The trail was mostly in the sun since the area had a fire some years back and hasn't yet grown back with trees. Consequently, it was a little hot for the area. I recommend it for a short hike.

It is a Bi-State park because it goes both ways... Ca and Nv. On the Nv side you can catch the rim trail and hike up to a waterfall. (It is really just a creek pouring over some rocks so don't get you hopes up). Due to the Gondola fire however (stared by a cigarette thrown out of the gondola) the views are unobstructed. On sunny days it tends to be hot because there is no relief from the sun.

As a keen walker, I left my family in our hotel at around 8.30 am and walked into the park entrance - passing all the cut wood etc and turned left crossing the State line. Immediately after this, there is a pond on the right hand side - i heard a loud splashing sound and saw a rather large brown bear emerge and scamper off up the slope - i didn't havre time to take a photo - stood there for a minute weighing up my options, and decided to take a walk by the Lakeside!! Shame really as I was really looking forward to the walk - went up the Heavenly Gondola and it is absolutely stunning. Hope this doesn't put people off - but just be aware!
I know I would have given this at least a 4 Star rating if I had carried on...

Nice moderately difficult trails close to town center at the state line under the Gondola with views of Lake Tahoe.

A great hike that one of the locals told us we had to do. And she was right. You can go out as long or short as you want. It is out and back. We went in September, and it was comfortable. Take water and a snack if you go for a longer hike.

My family and I hiked this seemingly simple uphill trail that links up with the Rim Trail but we only took in the Vista Point and the Waterfall. Both provide spectacular views of Tahoe. The waterfall is not impressive but invigorating once reached. It's best to go earlier in the day during the summer since it can get busy with people and there are many narrow sections. Most mountain bikers are cool. However, we almost got run over by two thrill seeking bike riders with full helmets that just want to carve their way down a mountainside by barreling at top speed recklessly and in complete disregard of others without warning. As a mountain biker myself, I really hate those guys for giving every other biker a bad name.

My 23 yr old son and I inquired at Sports Ltd and with a shuttle service about bike trails suiting our skill they steered us to Van Sickle. Everyone said " oh, ride up trail to fire road, take a right and you can't miss it"

Well we did miss it, ended up taking trail to Boulder ski lift and had to ride Kingsbury grade all the way back (highway). Once we got back both the bike shop and a local acknowledged there was in fact NO signpost at top identifying that we actually should have crossed over the fire road to the beginning of the trail and that it is not signed at all. ( however, Tahoe Rim trail is very well signed)

We felt ripped off by both the shuttle service and the bike shop. Don't take this trail unless you have a very detailed map (none exists) and assurances the beginning of the trail is signed

About Vail, the beginning of the trail is within Heavenly and bike shop said Vail has been dragging their feet in signing the trails...
It has the potential to be like Northstar but is long way away

Went hiking at Van Sickle Bi-State Park a few times while visiting Lake Tahoe in May/June 2013. It was my first real "hike" and I really enjoyed it. The scenery was gorgeous and although it was up the mountain, there were stopping points along the way. Also hiked one day up to a little waterfall that was pretty and a pretty easy hike. Lots of families with their children on the trail, too, and some mountain bikers. Can't wait to go back again!

We took the the Barn Trail and only went to the first scenic overlook. It is a little steep at first but levels out to an easy hike. Nice view of the lake from above.

I'd rate this trail "intermediate" - it's all uphill on the way up (which can be tricky in the afternoon sun), and nearly all downhill the way back. You get amazing views of Lake Tahoe from the trail (probably better than any other trails you encounter in the area!), though the end is rather anti-climatic. Bring lots of water! It's about 7 miles round trip, though you get beautiful views of the lake within the first mile.

trails were not marked, no guides. not a good place to go for lake views. trails were pretty, so probably good for short walks.

We went on a Saturday morning around 8:30 a.m. and had no trouble finding parking. We hiked to the waterfall and back. I was surprised by how quickly we climbed because the hike didn't seem that steep. The views here are gorgeous. If we had had more time, I would have loved to have hiked past the waterfall!

Our family of 4, boys 10 and 13, hiked this trail on August 6. We were staying at a place on Tramway and hiked the 5.75 miles down. The 5.75 miles is from the Stage Coach Lift trail kiosk. Trail maps are at this kiosk. We took this trail until it joined up with the Van Sickle trail which was about 1 mile. We then hiked back up the trail later in the day. The views are great and it is a nice way to get to the bottom of the gondola for shopping, for the movie theater, etc. We did not think the hike up was that bad but we do a lot of hiking and running as a family. We have proper hiking shoes and always carry enough water. The trail has a lot of long switchbacks which cuts down on the climb rate. The hike up took us 2 hours without stopping. We will certainly do this hike on a regular basis now as we like the option of walking to and from the casino areas. Lastly, if you are only interested in going from the bottom of the Van Sickle trail to the water fall it took us just over 30 minutes to reach that point without stopping.

The is probably the easiest state park to find. You can see it from the Heavenly gondola or just by walking or driving in. I don't find it all that impressive, but if you're staying in the Casinos its about a 5 minute walk.

We got a little lost. We were headed for the 'rim trail' (for a true panorama of the area but missed the turn when the trail we were on split in 2. If you're heading to the rim trail, remember that when you see a trail heading to the left via a few natural stone steps, take that one (don't continue walking straight). Although there was a trail marker there, the left turn was not marked (unless you looked on the BACK of the trail marker which, of course, we did not until we ended up on a 'city street' and turned around).
Even without making that turn, we came upon a fantastic vista point that 'ticked all of the boxes'. Just use care in climbing the rocks up to this point (there are easier ways through the rocks; explore your options before hoisting yourself up).
The trail itself, though was gorgeous. One of my pet peeves about hiking are switchbacks (where the trail goes back and forth across the face of the mountain so you have the same view over and over). There was none of this, here. The trail meandered and every section was new, unique, and beautiful. Don't miss this hike (even if you only do the shorter, lower one that we did).

We were in South Lake Tahoe for a wedding but wanted to enjoy as much as we could in the short amount of time we had. Living at sea level on the east coast, we both wanted to go hiking. This hike was incredible and yielded great scenery. It's not a difficult hike and could be fun for all ages and skill sets. I hope to get back here again very soon!

We used the short loop with 3.5 years old kids. It is about 2 miles long and is very nice for hiking,

This park is so convenient to the Heavenly Village that anyone staying there would be crazy not to do this hike. It’s a climb but getting to the waterfall is doable for most people. From three it’s a bit more challenging but it’s a smooth trail with great views of the lake. We didn’t make it to the TRT, but still did a solid hike. Lots of different options for distance and difficulty.

Great walk amongst nature. Some paths had ice on them but by and large it was a wonderful experience. No recent snow in the area so greenery was very visible... and looked beautiful.

The view from the vista point was amazing! That little path to get up to the point was perhaps the most slippery so do be careful.

The park is very close to South Lake Tahoe. The park has numerous hiking trails that offer excellent views of Lake Tahoe. The trails for suitable for all hiking levels.

My wife and I visited the park after a recommendation from our hotel. We grabbed lunch in the Heavenly Village and headed to the park. The drive into the park is relatively short and it ends at a parking lot with tables and a rest room. This is where you can review the map and head out onto the trails, we didn't go too far because we weren't dressed to explore. You can however take the trails to the summit and see the same views you would see on the Heavenly Gondola (save $88 for a couple). We ate lunch and took some photos.

The park also has the state line etched into the ground and you can take some pretty cool photos. Worth a trip, prepare for a moderate hike if you plan to hit the trails.

Just discovered this bi-state park for a quick hike. After a short hike, you can get to a point where you can get a great view of the lake.

so beautiful and quiet right next to the noise of the casinos. this is where I take my dog to hang out while my spouse drops a few at the casinos.

Walked the trail here on our first day. Views of the lake are amazing. Trail is well marked and fairly easy although somewhat steep in places.

Wonderful hike done this am. Vista amazing. Bear was seen at entrance rooting around old cabins. Went along his merry way while we watched in amazement.

Just finished hiking this park and well worth it!! Not too steep (hiking poles not necessary) and the views are amazing! Remnants of fire in 2002 but still spectacular. Different trails (elevation and distance) we did all.

Park has paved roads and unpaved trails. We saw good views and encountered other hikers on the trails so we never felt isolated. Some hiking sticks were available at the trailhead (left by previous hikers), so we used them for our hike and placed them back for others to use when we finished. Nice vistas and extremely large boulders throughout the park. Snow and some ice on the paved parts made walking a little treacherous but winter was on the way! We hiked it on 2 separate days and enjoyed it both times. Park is very close to town, but it felt like we were miles away. Peaceful and quiet. The park spans two states and a great photo opportunity is on the pavement where one side is carved Nevada, and the other side of the line says California. The hike is mildly challenging but not real strenuous. We loved it!

We hiked the Van Sickle Trail starting from the trailhead in the parking lot. The trail was in good condition with adequate signage . The great views were of the lake and the area around the casinos. The only drawback was that it was also used by bicyclists.
Access was very easy and the parking lot for the trailhead was on a street running behind the casinos.

Very close to town, nice hike and not crowded. Good view of the lake. Wear good shoes since some areas are rocky.

Hiked on April 13, 2016. Was supposed to rain but it was so hot and sunny! Make sure to hike all the way to the waterfall before you go back down! Such a beautiful hike. Cold at the top, hot when you are back to the bottom!

The park is easy to find and can be accessed either behind Harrahs or from a parking area near Heavenly (CA side). We entered behind Harrahs and drove to the end of the road where there is parking. From there the trail is relatively easy although there is some rise to the trail. We are in our 60's (pretty healthy), and we hiked steadily for 2.5 hours. From the CA side parking lot you can hike for about 5 minutes and get to a great spot to watch the sunset over the lake. I have labeled this a "must see." If you like hiking and want a delightful non-strenuous 1-2 hour hike this is a great option. For more adventurous hikers this hike also goes to the Tahoe Trail. If you hike for about 40-50 minutes you can reach a small waterfall.

Great hike!!! This area was right behind our hotel. We drove up the road and they had a big free parking lot. We took the short hike and wow - when you reach the top you have incredible views. An overall beautiful woodsy hike.

Just hiked yesterday, have cycled some of it before.
loved it, beautiful up to 7,777 ft. Met Wild Bill yesterday, he is one of the builders of this beauty and really proud of it.
It's about a 7mile hike, take lots of water, food.

We stayed in time shares by Heavenly Gondola and walked to the entrance of this hike. I chose to wear hiking boots but saw other hikers in tennis shoes. I think hiking boots would be better. The hike was clearly marked all the way up. A bridge with a waterfall along the way. Many amateurs hiking with small children.....it is rugged and not sure how far they got. I would not say a beginner hike but moderate. It has incline so need to be in some sort of shape to do it. Bring water and a snack like apples or nuts.

We had a fantastic time hiking to the waterfall. The trail had a good elevation gain, but if you take breaks, it wasn’t too hard. The views are incredible and the park is so easy to get to from the casino area.

What a great find close to our Hotel in South Lake Tahoe. Terrific hiking trails with great views of the lake and access to the Tahoe rim trail as well. Definitely a little elevation particularly for those of us from back east but a lot of fun and a nice reward one you get back to the great places to eat in South Lake Tahoe.

This gem of a park is directly behind and above south shore’s casinos. Hiking trails range from moderate to difficult. Spectacular views of the lake and very peaceful area, considering how close it is to town!

In a little less than a mile, you will have a great view of the Lake. Of course the higher you go, the better it gets. It is easy to get to the trailhead and close to the downtown core. We were lucky to be there on a beautiful October morning. Hike as much and as far as you like. I understand if you get to the top, a city bus is available to take you down. We didn't do this so clarify before you try. Highly recommended for all hiking abilities.

The trail head to Van Sickle Bi-State Park was just a few blocks from our hotel so we decided to hike there one morning. The park itself is very beautiful; the trails are easy to hike but are not marked particularly well. We missed the turn to the falls and realized it after walking another half mile. We saw the marker on our way back which was located in an odd spot. All in all we enjoyed our hike in Van Sickle Bi-State Park.

Great little hike on California - Nevada border, it is not difficult, it's well marked, lovely views. We took many pictures as well!

This park was right behind our hotel; literally walking distance.
We hiked up a little over a mile to a small waterfall.
There are some great views of Lake Tahoe, which is amazingly beautiful!
It's a pretty easy hike.
Great for mountain biking too if that's your thing.

We are owners of the Marriott Timberlodge and after many years, we finally found Van Sickle Bi State Park in our backyard! What a fun hike to a waterfall. Right away you are in the pines. Then you see the California/Nevada stateline...how fun. The trail is not really clear but if you look at the maps and pay attention you will get to the waterfall. We stopped and returned after the waterfall but the trail continues on to the Tahoe Rim Trail. The views are breathtaking. I am not an avid hiker but felt a sense of accomplishment to make it to the waterfall. I am so glad that I did this hike as like I said, the views are amazing!

Our family of 4 (boys 11 and 13) have hiked the Van Sickle trail numerous times. In the last two weeks, we probably used the trail a half dozen times. If you are staying at the Ridge Resort or somewhere on Tramway this trail can be used many different ways. We do the following almost on a daily basis as we like to hike and trail run. 1) We will hike from the Stagecoach Lift on Tramway to the top of Heavenly where they have the summer Epic Adventure program. This is a 3 mile hike "up" the ski slope. We relax at the top and then take the Gondola down for free. The Van Sickle trail head is only a few minute walk from where you get off the Gondola. You can hang out at the restaurants/shops and then hike back up to Tramway via the trail. The trail is 3.8 miles to the top of Tramway. 2) You can simply hike the trail from the top of Tramway to the bottom of the trail head. The 3.8 miles is downhill and easy. Once at the bottom you can either hike back up or take the $1.50 bus ride back to the Ridge area. The bus is free for Ridge guests and the bus stop is right next to the Gondola area. The view of the lake and casinos is great from the trail. Best views are about 2.5 miles from the trail head. Please note that bears do wander on this trail so make some noise when walking or running. We came within 30 feet of a bear on the trail at 6am last week but once the bear was alerted of us it moved on quickly.

Highly recommend that you do this Trail. We did it twice and wanted to go back to do the longer 6.2 mile trail (12 miles in and out). The trail to the waterfalls can be as short as 3 miles (to/from waterfalls) and 6 miles if your wrap around the mountain. Great views of the lake and surrounding areas.

Nicely located near the Heavenly Gondola and contains a number of straightforward hikes. The views of the Lake are spectacular with plenty of vista points. The trek to the waterfall is simple enough.

Took this hike with 3, 11 and 12 year Olds and a 1 year old. It was a long and strenuous hike if you are not used to hiking. The views were amazing. The waterfall was not as impressive as I had hoped for but still a beautiful scene. We drank a lot of water!!

The mtbing on this trail is awesome. Spent two hours pushing the bikes up (gondola would probably be better but were stingy) and bombed it down in 20 minutes. The trail is sandy, rocky, twisty and dangerous with large trees, rocks and boulders, but perfect for adrenaline seekers. Would love to go again, Tahoe is lucky to have such awesomeness!!

This hike is fun for a time when you don't have all day. It is close in to the casinos and other resorts, off Park Ave where Raley's market is. You can ride a bike there, or there is parking. It loosely follows the Heavenly gondola up the mountain with some great scenic views. It actually goes to the top, but a shorter walk is also very good.

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.

It was our last day in town and we decided to kayak in the morning and do one more hike. This park was close to our hotel so we decided to give it a try. Parking was available when we arrived and crowd was low, unlike other parts of Lake Tahoe on a busy summer day. It was nice to arrive somewhere without crowds. Hike up was somewhat steep, that being said, the hike down was great :) Stopped at a cluster of large rocks to enjoy a view of Lake Tahoe. Finally found a Sugar Pine cone! Huge! I was happy since that was one on my bucket list. We didn't go far up the trail. Wish there was more shade on the trail. There are picnic tables in the middle of the parking lot for a pleasant lunch. We missed the marker for the California/Nevada line which is on the road coming in/out of the parking lot.

I did not give this park 5 stars because we did not hike up the trail so I cannot review on that part. But we did eat lunch there and took some great pictures of the state line that runs across the road. So I would stop there just for that.

Great little hike behind the casinos in Lake Tahoe. Start at trailhead and it climbs upward to a nice lookout. Views are beautiful but you do see all the casinos in the distance which I didnt particularly like. If you go upward further you will come across a waterfall. It's small but still cool.

Great hike out of Heavenly. Nice way to start the break, and the views are immense. Did this in the am, and then went sailing later

I hiked a total of 8 miles of the trail and really like it. There are trails for really any level of hiker. On the lakeside of the mountain there are several spots of amazing views.

I hiked up to the waterfall, which is on the main trail to the rim trail. The waterfall wasn't worth it, but the hike up to the waterfall has some of the best views of Lake Tahoe.

Gorgeous hike and it does have some challenging areas with gorgeous views. Trail head is right in town so very easy access but trail is very remote.

We hiked to the waterfall, mostly uphill-consider the starting elevation. Great views by the time you get to the waterfall. Actually the waterfall was nicer than we expected. Not real big, but still nice. I would suggest going early especially in the summer since you have a reasonable amount of sun and it gets a little warm. Also there are more people the later you go. Finally beware of downhill bikers. Almost got wiped out as they careened around the corner without any advance warning. Didn't use their bells like they should have.

A great short hike to the Tahoe rim trail offering beautiful views of the Lake and mountains.. Good for families with kids maybe 7 or older, a bit harder for really young kids. Saw a few chipmunks,and a woodpecker,which was kind of cool as they are not in Australia!!! A pity that the gondola had just finished the weekend prior to my arrival as I would have liked to view the park from a different way. It is well marked and right behind Raley's grocery store, so you can walk to it without the need for a car.

This park is walking distance from Heavenly Village. Clean bathrooms, well-groomed trails, lovely views. Quiet place for a hike with the gondola coming in and out of view. Trailhead unmarked and only found it because locals guided us. It's a ways past the gate to the left of the restrooms. Could not find any maps online to know more details about trails...hiked several times because it was peaceful, partially shaded and a moderate hike so my kids could do it too.

trails were marked well, we only got a little out of the way once. The waterfall was not as big as expected but worth the hike up on a beautiful day.

Great to get out and get going, this trail last forever. Go as far as you would like. Good view of south side of lake. Lots of other hikers/hikers on this trail.. So lots of company. Up and down.. Start early. Easy to moderate... Mostly easy...

We were so surprised to be just about the only people on this beautiful hike. Once you get past the gondola at the bottom, the path winds and takes you two beautiful vistas of Lake Tahoe. Worth doing to get away from it all. Fairly easy grade. Convenient to the hustle and bustle, but a quick retreat, worth doing.

The entrance to the trail head is at 6400 ft elevation. We hiked up the Orange trail another 500 ft to see the water falls. The water falls itself is not that big a deal but turn around and WOW the view is awesome. The terrain is quite different from the East coast which I call home and is wonderful to view as you pass rock piles and formations that are just amazing.

And Happy Tails. Great hikes and bike rental place to go to.Why walk? After dinner stroll? Date night, find a really nice kissing bench??? Are you In?

Took our 20 & 18 year old boys for a hike to the falls. Easy to moderately difficult hike but you can make it! Several great picture spots of the Lake. I would do this hike again. 4 miles from the Marriott to the falls and back on the barn to falls trail.

It was a nice easy hike near the town, and within 20 minutes we were above the tree level and could actually see the beautiful view of Lake Tahoe! The only downside was there were lots of people playing music and it kind of took away from the "escape from society into nature" feel we wanted. Still beautiful but people can be a nuisance

We heard about the new state park from our hotel and came on a crisp, sunny November day. Park was closed to vehicles so you have to walk in on the road from the shopping center. Beautiful trail up to the vista point (10 minutes from the parking lot) and then farther on to the small waterfall. It took us about an hour with a few rest stops and 800 feet elevation gain but plenty of switchbacks rather than straight up so altitude was not a big impact. Killer views of the lake and mountains. Would be nice to have a better trail map posted but park is pretty new.

This park starts in back of the Heavenly Village resort, so easy to get to. Parts were definitely uphill, but the views were great. There are multiple trails, some more strenuous than others.

This is a great trail for families. The trail is well marked and well traveled. You can hike as much as you like and still have lots to look at.There were many hikers up to the small waterfall, but after that the further we traveled on the trail, the less hikers we saw. This is also a great mountain bike trail... not a lot of boulder areas to carry a bike over and challenging enough elevation changes. Great views of Lake Tahoe at the beginning of the trail and then forest as you hike toward Stagecoach area lifts. It was cool to see the slopes without snow.

The trail is behind Harrahs and Raleys. The trail is shared with bicycles and horses. The trail is well marked. The hike to the falls is very easy only 0.4 miles. We hiked to the rim trail where the ski lifts go. There are very few switch backs. The trail can get dusty.some hikers take their dogs.Nice view of Lake Tahoe, casinos, golf course.

A local luckily told us about this park or we would have missed it! So glad that we didn't. Great hiking and biking trails for the novelist. .5 mile hike through rocks to a vista over Lake Tahoe. An easy hike but you do have to climb up some rocks to see the best view. A longer hike will take you to the falls. I nice picnic spot at the foot of the trail.

Went here with coworkers and ended up doing the hike up to the overlook and the waterfall. The views are absolutely stunning, and the climbs will definitely get your heart pumping. I'm from Florida, so I am not at all used to hills, but managed to do pretty well all things considered with the altitude and inclines. The trails are all pretty well maintained and established, though there are times when they're pretty narrow, but even then it's not too hard to make room. Everyone clearly takes care of the park, as I didn't see any trash or damage. I really enjoyed spending the morning here exploring, getting fantastic photos, and generally having a great time with my coworkers.

I was with my brother who met me in Red Bluff California. The first view was ok but higher up on the trail the views were even better up to a waterfall. The trail was moderate not too steep. This place is a foreshadow of what Lake Kinnereth in Israel will be in eternity.

Heard about this park and hiking trails from some locals we rode the Gondola with. We hiked up into the park and then to the Waterfall. It is challenging but loaded with great views. The hike down the mountain, a piece of cake.

We had been on a portion of this trail before but did a loop using the barn trail, Cal-Neva trail and Van Sickle trail. Spectacular views and well maintained trails. Best to review a map prior to ensure you know where you’re going. Vern though most is well marked, there are s few confusing spots that a map would help to clarify.

Always a great visit! This trip, only walked to the vista and relaxed before heading back down.

I was surprised at the amount of trash leading up to the parking lot. Broken sleds, bottles, candy wrappers - clean up after yourself people!

Have been coming here for years and have never met any of the park hosts. The camper always seems to be the same. Not sure if there really is a host.

This is a nice place to start hiking in Tahoe. The Lake and gondola are reassuring points of reference that will get you back to the beginning -- which is good because the trails are only beginning to be marked. You'll climb faster than you realize and soon get some really nice views. Agree with other reviews, it is dusty. Still very enjoyable.

Average effort hike that gained about 200 feet of elevation. We stopped about a mile up, before returning back to the parking lot. Views of the lake as you work your way up are amazing!

This is a nice State Park, we had sometime before heading home. So we decided to check it out. Not too steep at the beginning and later on it's easy to moderate elevation. There is a vista point around 0.4 mile from the start which gives a great view of the city and the lake. We went until that point and decided to return. Overall was a pleasant experience, the hike is not shaded so carry water and hat/cap and sun screen

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.

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

We stayed in the Marriott and this trail was right behind it. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was surprised by the beauty on this trail. We just walked up to the vista (which gives you a beautiful view of Lake Tahoe) and the waterfall. The waterfall was quite small but was still pretty. I went back for round 2 a few days later because it was so enjoyable.

Beautiful hike with my daughter, breathtaking views, wish we'd had more time, we'll be back with a picnic lunch and a tripod! :-)

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.

After many hikes from roadway down to Lake Tahoe shoreline, this hike was so-so, dusty. We hiked off to the side of the Heavenly Gondola and eventually found some rock outcroppings that presented some magnificent views of the lake and surrounding peaks. Park gates were closed so we parked right in front of gates with several other cars-seemed safe to do so.

Climb to the top of the rock and get great views. Not too far from the parking lot. It can be quite hot in the summer without too much shade. Bring water.

The trails go under the gondola. At first we thought it was a dud being so close to the main drag, but after a few minutes you got above noise and it was a very nice hike with lots of views. Some points seemed to have other hikers and mountain bikers.

We love this hike. It is uphill and a good workout on the legs. Our dog loves it too. It is worth getting to the top to see the best view of the lake and mountains.

My wife read me the reviews and made it sound like a small task. Well it was to the Vista but the hike to the waterfall farther up the trail was a bit more of a challenge for 60+ people. However on the trail we came across some maybe 70+ hikers. I guess I'm a bit out of shape. So take walking poles and plenty of water, sunscreen, and a power bar or two and go for it. It is worth the view and the feeling of accomplishment to see the wonderful views of the Tahoe basin. BEAUTIFUL! The tail is pretty well marked if you know what you are looking for.

This is a beautiful park (with trails) that is easily accessible from the town of South Lake Tahoe -- it's a great moderate hike (about a mile each way) to a small waterfall. The views of the lake are fantastic! To access the trail, enter the park behind Rayley's but don't park in the first parking lot...turn left and go up the paved road, just a short distance, to the second parking lot. That has a trail that is clearly marked with little waterfall icons. A great hike, a couple of hours round-trip.

This park has amazing views of Lake Tahoe. I consider it a moderate hike, but we saw a couple pushing a stroller up the side trail to the waterfall. The lake views from that side trail are worth it, although my husband and I didn't think there waterfall was. Definitely a hike you should take!

Walked to the park entrance from the Marriott Grand Residences. Took the trial up to the little waterfall (about 5mi in & out) each day we were in town. There are multiple trails in the park, so just follow the little blue sign with the picture of a waterfall on it. Saw lots of squirrels & chipmunks so I picked up peanuts to toss from the grocery store later on. Use the All Trails app if you get lost.

The views of the lake were amazing. There are picnic tables in the parking lot at the start of the trail.

Ran 7 miles in loops, nice area! Shady and rocky, lots of trees, great views if you climb the rocks. I went early so not as many people but I imagine get busier later in the day. I found parking close by.

We might not have found this park if we hadn't been staying in the Heavenly Village area, but since we were right there, we decided to give the park a try. I love hiking, but really appreciate trails that are wide enough and don't scare the death out of me, since I'm afraid of heights. We had a good hike up past the waterfall towards the rim trail, with good footing all along, accompanied by beautiful views of the lake.

Even if you're not staying at the Heavenly Village, this is a nice, not too far off the beaten track,trail.

We were staying at the Timber Lodge and walked to the trail head from our hotel. We did the rim connector trail to the waterfall. Great views, beautiful trail. Our whole family enjoyed it. I recommend starting around 10:00am, it gets hot on the trail and busy.

Did not make it to the waterfull...the air was kind of thin for me to hike far in. Beautiful views from the boulders. Great job on the trail...a nice walk or hike.

My wife and I took this hike early in the morning after a spring snow. We were the first footprints to the waterfall and the trail junction at the top of the mountain. It's a easy to moderate on if we could see it seemed to be a well maintained path.

The waterfall is nice, but small. Go expecting this and some good views down to the lake and you won't be disappointed.

I recommend this hike in the morning and breakfast at the Driftwood Cafe after.

We spent the afternoon hiking the beautiful rim around Heavenly Mountain to view Lake Tahoe. There are several hikes there you can take and with rest room facilities and parking spaces available. We took the longer rim trail and did not have any trouble with following the markers, an issue that another reviewer mentioned. You do go uphill a lot, but we didn't find it as strenuous as many other trails; we could rate it as moderate. If you keep going past the waterfall up the mountain, you see breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe. Have your camera ready. It's well worth it but probably not necessary to go all the way to the top -- unless you just want to get the exercise. We passed a number of bikers, but they seemed to be on and off their bikes often when needing to go up and down some of the rocks/steps that are part of the trails. There are wonderful large rock formations to see, too, throughout the trails.

The nice thing about this hike is you can turn around at any point. We hiked about 4.5 miles in 2 hours. The view is exactly what I was hoping for. I read that it’s an “easy” hike. It’s not too hard but it’s not flat either. You can take your time going up.

A lovely hike with lots of trails and great views. We hiked up to the waterfall and cooled our heals in the stream.

Great hike. It is 1.1 miles to the falls and great scenic overlook in 0.5 miles from the start of the trail head. Moderately uphill but at elevation so, if you re not in shape this can be a bit rough. Plenty of spaces to take a break and soak it all in.

Small parking area which means good luck in the high season to find a spot.

Enjoyed this trek up to the Tahoe rim. Fantastic views of the lake. Great place to see chipmunk and blue jay.

We did this hike with our young son in early May. It was still cool but sunny. We didn't think he would make it very far but he had so much fun climbing on rocks we went all the way to the small waterfall. It was about 3.5 milked total. Beautiful views throughout the walk up. Nice visible trails and places (rocks) to sit and rest. We were passed by a variety of hikers in age and also lots of mountain bikers. We didn't see lots of wildlife just chipmunks.

You can walk to the trail head from the Marriotts. Once there it is about 1.1 miles to what is referred to as a waterfall but more of a stream. You have great views of the lake for the last half.

Beautiful views. Close to the main tourist plaza and easy to get to. Recommend the full hike to the Tahoe Rim Trail. Elevation 7777

Half way in California and half way in Nevada.We enjoyed our hike to the 'falls'.Be aware that it is uphill all the way.The last part was in an area that had been burnt over a few years ago. Do take the walk on a cool day as a lot of the trail is exposed to the sun and it can get hot.We kept our Yellow Lab near us so not to freak-out other hikers.

We were staying at the Timber Lodge and we just wanted to go do something outdoors. When I came across this, the reviews convinced us to go check it out. I’m glad we did. We wanted to take a pic at the stateline and walk to the lookout and to the waterfall. It is a nice hike. There are some steep parts so you’ll climb. Just take it slow if you don’t do this often, especially with the altitude. There are a couple bathrooms but they weren’t unlocked (maybe too early for the season). There’s about 25 parking places. If you just want the stateline pic, you can walk or just drive in a bit and you’ll see it. For the trails, I had AllTrails app open just to make sure we stayed on the trail we wanted. If you don’t have that, take a pic of the map before you go in and there are some markers along the way. The weather is still cool but if it was a normal start to summer, I suggest start early to take advantage of the cool weather and see less people. It wasn’t busy but I imagine it can get a little rough when there are a lot of people out. The trail in a few parts are not very wide so again, take it slow and enjoy the journey. Don’t forget to bring water.

We love to travel to Lake Tahoe and stay at the Marriott Grand Residence which is located close to this Park. I have gone on a tour offered by Grand Residence on two of our trips. The Park is close and has good trails. The trails are marked and easy to find. On my solo hikes, I felt safe and never lost. The trails have different routes and you can go short or longer as you please. The scenery is beautiful and there is a waterfall. I recommend taking some photos up on the rocks where you can see the entire lake and mountains behind.

We hiked the trails on a hot day. I decided to stop at the scenic overlook (.4 miles from the trailhead) and my wife continued another .7 miles to the waterfall. We both enjoyed our hikes but, due to the heat and some knee pain, I am glad I drew the line where I did. The trail is well designed and very well maintained. Views from the overlook were outstanding. You won't be sorry!

Easy to find, easy to park. Very pleasant hike to the vista point. I’ve been suffering due to the altitude. Three heart valve surgeries have been a big hit on my cardio system over the past few years. I first noticed it a couple years ago visiting Sedona. Tahoe is about 2000 ft higher and it’s really hitting me hard. But the vista trail is worth the hike. Very pleasant. Good shade at frequent intervals so I was able to take breathers as needed. Wide trail, easy to walk, good for kids, good for seniors and good for bikers.

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.

For a solid hike without leaving the central South Lake Tahoe area, this is a great hike to get acclimated to the altitude and enjoy the views. Access is easy right above the casinos. Good views paralleling the gondola route.

We were excited to learn that this hike was just outside our hotel doors! Rob from the Marriott activities desk led us and provided great stories!

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

Besides the views this isn't really a destination hike. We have a home near here and we hike to the waterfall for exercise but there are much more beautiful hikes in the area. If you are staying near by and want to burn off all the ice cream you have been indulging in, this is a good spot.

Provides a good trail up to a reasonable altitude to get great pictures and view of the lake and South Shore.

This park is lovely and right in the village, but I could only give it a four because, being there in the off season, I had trouble finding the trailhead. Worth searching out! Woodpeckers, hawks and birdsongs galore.

We went to the park a couple times during our Lake Tahoe trip. Loved the hikes. We tried a couple different trails, and both had plenty to offer. Some excellent views on the trails.

This trail was recommended as there was a waterfall at the top. The scenery was, indeed, majestic, though I don't believe there's a pour view from anywhere in Lake Tahoe. We were a bit disappointed when we got to the top as the waterfall wasn't as much as we expected. No complaints as the hike was beautiful, and people you run across on the trail were extremely informative and friendly as well. Emerald Bay was the best by far though.

The hiking trails are well marked, making it easy to get to the vista and waterfall. The waterfall seems a little further than .7 miles but is worth the extra walk to see it. There is a good mix between flat areas and hills. Great views of Lake Tahoe once you get up high enough. Easy for families with younger children.

I was hiking with a group on the Tahoe Rim Trail and we went past the top end of Van Sickle park on our way to the end of our hike.

Our group parked at the stables on the California side and took the 'Barn Trail' on our way to see the waterfall. I recommend taking a picture of the trails at the stables as the trail map on the Nevada side was not nearly as detailed. There are bathrooms at the stables as well. The hike to the waterfall and back took about 2 hours. Great views and well marked trails. Saw several other hikers with dogs (appears dog friendly). Would definitely recommend if your staying in South Lake Tahoe.

If you want to hike the full Van Sickle Trail with the best views start at the top!!! Get the map! Drive to the Kingsbury Grade Ridge, drive out to the Stagecoach ski run area and park. You can get back to your car on the Blue Go Bus for under $2. You can also ride your Mt. bike down the trail and bring it back on the bus. At Stagecoach look for the BLUE Tahoe Rim trail markers. There are signs pointing you to the Van Sickle Trail at 7777' now follow the V.S.C. orange trail markers on trees and rocks. At this point the trail is down hill with views of the lake most of the time. It's around 8mi. down hill. You'll end up in the park, walk into Heavenly Village (look for the gondolas) In the village you'll find the Stateline Transit Center. Get the bus back up the hill. Enjoy the views!

The hike started right behind the Raleys Grocery store in Heavenly Village. The path was easy to follow, after about 1 hour you were up pretty high and have a wonderful view of the lake, as we kept going up following the markers for the waterfall, it was pretty steep, but doable, when we got to the waterfall, which was nice we were at the top of the trees, what a great view. If your in the area you have to do the hike. It was about an 1.5 hour up the hill, I'm 60, so I was in no hurry!

Hiking here is okay... But there are. Much prettier hikes in the area. If I could re do, I wouldn't have wasted time here. Oh well.

Not for the inexperienced; a lot of hills, to the top it's at 7700 elevation and all downhill most of the way down. Views from above are beautiful.

There seems to be some confusion in these reviews about the location of the entrance to the park. It is not in back of Harrah's. It is closer to being in back of Heavenly Village on the California side. Also, some people minimize the hike. It can pretty ambitious for older or unfit hikers. However, it is still worthwhile even if you don't make it all the way to the Falls.