Home › California › South Lake Tahoe › Van Sickle Bi-State Park
Van Sickle Bi-State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 523 Google reviews · Running trail in South Lake Tahoe, California · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Van Sickle Bi-State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Natural area on the California-Nevada border with hiking & equestrian trails & historic buildings.
What runners say about Van Sickle Bi-State Park
“Beautiful hike to the waterfall, just be careful of the snow on the side of the mountain as that can be a little difficult to navigate especially with little ones.”
“My biggest problem was that the trails weren't particularly well marked, but otherwise it was very beautiful.”
My dog and I hiked to the waterfall and back in early July. The fall isn’t very big but there’s a little area where dogs can cool down without risk of injury. My big dog plopped right down and was joined by several others! We turned back but it looks like the hike continues on. The view is gorgeous.
This is a gem of a place to hike. I went up on a crisp fall day in late October and the colors and scenery were breathtaking. Free parking, clean restrooms and well- marked trails. Dog- friendly, though I did meet a hiker who got spooked by a coyote encounter and decided to leave.
Great trail.took like 45minutes from Target parking lot to get to water fall. Great view point along the way. Pretty much all up hill. Still ice near fall. ✌️✌️Dog friendly.
Hike this trail! Don't second guess on this one. Just go. The trail is well defined and well marked. You can hike miles and miles before you realize how far you've gone. Just when you think you've had enough, the scenery encourages you to push on.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful hike to the waterfall, just be careful of the snow on the side of the mountain as that can be a little difficult to navigate especially with little ones.”
“Dog- friendly, though I did meet a hiker who got spooked by a coyote encounter and decided to leave.”
“If you are walking from the main road, take the vehicle road to the parking lot and then you’ll see the trailhead start.”
“Oh, and there are functional bathrooms with running water.”
“The weather can vary, so wear layers to stay comfortable as you climb and descend.”
“A nice moderate level hike with wonderful nature views and views of the lake from the vista point.”
“My biggest problem was that the trails weren't particularly well marked, but otherwise it was very beautiful.”
Plan your run at Van Sickle Bi-State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteparks.nv.gov
- Phone(530) 542-5580
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near South Lake Tahoe
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Chonokis Road Trail
5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews
Van Sickle State Park Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 248 reviews
Easy trails wind through this area to a waterfall and lake views.
Lam Watah Nature Trail to Nevada Beach
4.8 ★★★★★ 414 reviews
Hiking area featuring paved trails and a beach, plus picnic tables and a public restroom.
Martin's Peak Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 54 reviews
Hiking area with scenic views, including Lake Tahoe, and kid-friendly trails.
Bijou Community Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 952 reviews
Meadow park with basketball, volleyball & skateboard areas, disc golf, a dog run & railroad exhibit.
