One of the best hikes in Lake Tahoe is the mostly-flat, kid-friendly hike along Echo Lakes. With their crystal clear waters and surrounding mountain peaks, some of the highest in the Tahoe area, Lower and Upper Echo Lakes offer some of the most breathtaking and easily-accessed views in the Lake Tahoe area. You can either hike the easy three miles (six miles round trip) to the end of Upper Echo Lake or, if you’d prefer to take it a bit easier, catch a water taxi from the Echo Chalet on the shores of Lower Echo Lake. After a 10-15 minute ride, the boat will drop you at the end of Lower Echo Lake, and you can hike the rest of the way (maybe a mile) to the end of Upper Echo Lake. Your reward: a stunning panoramic view of both lakes. Pack a lunch and enjoy it from the large rock outcropping you’ll come to at the end of Upper Echo Lake - the view will amaze you. Echo Lakes’ pristine, cobalt blue waters are perfect for cooling off on a hot day. After a hearty lunch and refreshing swim, you’ll be all set for the easy three-mile hike back to your car. As a final treat, stop in the Echo Chalet on the shore of Lower Echo Lake to reward yourself with a refreshing cold soda or ice cream cone.
