California · Hiking · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Rock Garden Trail

Rock Garden TrailPhoto: mlinksva, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
2.4 mi
round trip
176 ft
climb
6,557 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Rock Garden Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. It doesn't name Rock Garden Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Rock Garden Trail is an easy 2.4-mile out-and-back hike in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the Forest Service, in California. The trail starts at about 6,370 feet and climbs to a high point of 6,557 feet, with a total gain of 176 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at South Lake Tahoe run to highs around 80°F in July and August, with only two or three wet days a month. Winter brings highs near 43°F and lows around 18°F. Several other outings sit close by. The Devron Connector is about 0.6 miles away and the Valley View Trail about 0.7 miles. Fallen Leaf Campground is 1.5 miles off, and the Space Domes climbing area is about 1.9 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Fallen Leaf Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Jalapeños Taqueria

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rains

    Baldwin Home

    Museum

    On your way back · 2 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Rock Garden Trail

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      43° / 18°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 19°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 24°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 28°

      8 wet

    5. May

      62° / 33°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 38°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 43°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 41°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 35°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 29°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 23°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 18°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at South Lake Tahoe Ap, CA, 2.6 mi away at 6,314 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Devron ConnectorPhoto: mlinksva, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Devron Connector

Next door

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Tahoe Mountain Trail (South)Photo: mlinksva, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

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Valley View TrailPhoto: mlinksva, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

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Moraine TrailPhoto: simonov, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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