Nevada · Hiking

Cave Lake Loop

3.9 mi
loop
942 ft
climb
8,257 ft
high point
Loop
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Cave Lake Loop open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ely Ranger District. It doesn't name Cave Lake Loop, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Ely Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Cave Lake Loop is a 3.9-mile loop hike in Nevada's Cave Lake State Park, within the Ely Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The trail rises from about 7,290 feet to about 8,257 feet, a total gain of 942 feet, and is rated moderate. State Park and Recreation manages the land. The route is a loop, so it starts and ends at the same point. Bikes are allowed, and the trail surface is natural. The trip takes about two hours. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ruth, Nevada, show July highs around 84°F with lows near 47°F, while winter brings highs in the upper 30s and regular snow days from December through February. That station sits roughly 1,400 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the loop run cooler. West Square Top is about 0.4 miles away, and Cave Springs Loop is about 0.6 miles away. The Square Top climbing area is about 0.7 miles off, and Cleve Creek Campground is about 8 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Cave Lake Loop

    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

      38° / 9°

      6 wet · 6 snow

    2. Feb

      40° / 12°

      6 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      47° / 19°

      7 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      54° / 24°

      7 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      64° / 32°

      7 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      76° / 40°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 47°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 46°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 36°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      61° / 25°

      4 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      47° / 16°

      5 wet · 3 snow

    12. Dec

      37° / 7°

      6 wet · 5 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ruth, NV, 17.3 mi away at 6,858 ft. The station sits about 1,400 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.