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Capital to Tahoe

The only trail to give you direct access from Nevada's state capital to Lake Tahoe, and beyond!
Trail Uses
Hiking Mountain biking Horseback riding
Location
Carson City
Length
10.00 miles (One Way)
Difficulty
Moderate
Town
Carson City
Surface
Dirt
Pets
Permitted on Leash
Fees
No

Description

Currently, the Capital to Tahoe trail is the only non-motorized single-track trail that connects Carson City, Nevada to the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond. From Carson City, one can hike their way up to Canada along the PCT or jump onto the Tahoe Rim trail for a backyard, backcountry excursion. The trail itself is 10 miles, but if you are riding from Spooner Lake State Parks to Kings Canyon trailhead, it turns into a 25 mile trek.

The trail can be accessed via the Ash to Kings Canyon trail system in Carson City, via Spooner Lake State Park and via the Tahoe Rim Trail! Its best traveled via mountain bike going downhill, from Tahoe to Carson City or used as a backpacking route to access plenty of other trails. Since this is a one-way trail the best approach to using this trail is by using a two cars system. You can drop one car off at the North Spooner summit trail head and another at the Kings Canyon trail head for a shuttle system or have someone pick you up and drop you off.

Other Information

For more hiking trails and nearby activities, check out Carson City, Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe!

If you're looking for more nightlife, Reno is only a quick drive north and has plenty of amazing restaurants, shows and casinos to choose from! 

Check out some of the nearby Lake Tahoe State Parks such as Spooner Lake and Sand Harbor. 

View the complete Carson City West side trail system here.

Trail Manager

For more information visit the US Forest Service website or the Carson City website, or contact: 

Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces

Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces
3303 Butti Way Building #9
Carson City, Nevada 89701
Phone: 775-887-2262
View website

US Forest Service - Carson Ranger District

US Forest Service - Carson Ranger District
1536 South Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: (775) 882-2766
View website

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Trailhead Information

Parking to access this trail is located at the Kings canyon trail head as well as at the Spooner Lake State Park parking lot. 

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
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