General Creek Campground

Cyclists rejoice! In addition to trails weaving in and out of the woods all along Lake Tahoe, Sugar Pine is home to a variety of paths that take you up through the pines and down along the lake’s sparkling shoreline. Many are suitable for beginners or families out for a ride, with more challenging routes as well for more experienced bikers. Here is a comprehensive look at all the trails in the area, with trails in the campground listed toward the bottom.

While there is no official place to launch (head to a local mariana for that ), you are more than welcome to idle up to the pier or, if you have a dinghy, pull it onshore for an afternoon on the lake. The park is also home to two boathouses at Pine Lodge (a nearby jaunt), which launched early Lake Tahoe boating competitions and is home to some awesome regatta history. Boats aren’t allowed to be beached or moored overnight in the park, so be sure to have a plan for after the sun goes down.

Whether making use of your waders along the shoreline or casting from a dock is more your style, there is room for all types of anglers at Sugar Pine Point. The pier is open to anyone who wants to try their luck above the water, while miles of beachfront offer up the chance to explore and find the perfect fishing spot you’ve been searching for. Lake trout and kokanee salmon can be found along the lake’s 300 foot deep underwater ledges, and many top line along the surface in hopes of snagging a rainbow trout. Learn more about Lake Tahoe fishing, grab your license , and hit the beach for a tranquil afternoon on some of the most beautiful waters in California!

Strap on those boots,nature lovers, because you are among some of the best hiking trails on Lake Tahoe. There are trails and paths for just about every age and ability, and range from a gentle meander through the forest to a 15 mile hike. Although the park has several miles of lakefront, some of the best paths lead inland along General Creek, following the waterway through a lush forested valley to the edge of the park and the El Dorado National Forest. Interpretive trail guides are also available to highlight natural features along the path. Long distance hikers often use the park as a point of access the the Desolation Wilderness, or to intersect the Pacific Crest Trail. The paths offer a great chance to experience and appreciate the local foliage, which includes the sugar pine, Jeffrey pine and white fir. If you can swing a trip in the fall, the black cottonwood and quaking aspen make the trip well worth it.

No currents, crystal clear waters and miles and miles of untouched shoreline make Lake Tahoe a delicious experience for kayakers and canoers, and Sugar Point Park features more than two miles of sparkling shore to launch your adventure into the blue. Explorers can forge their own path (the brave can even plan a tripacross the lake), join a ranger guided tour , or spend the afternoon on a waterbound journeyinto the past. When it comes to paddling opportunities on Lake Tahoe, the sky (and the strength of your arms) is really the limit.

Like to get above the fray? Climbers, you are in luck: Sugar Pine is home to several opportunities to get off the trail and get a new vantage point over the park. Check out a few of the tried and true boulders (scroll down all the way to the bottom), and keep your eyes out for new spots, as area climbers predict more than 500 additional climbing opportunities have yet to be discovered!

With towering pines covered in fresh powder bordering a turquoise lake that is never frozen, this park brings a whole new meaning to winter wonderland. Skiers and snowshoers are welcome to enjoy the sparkling vistas as they make their way through a variety of paths variety of paths suitable for every skill level. The campground itself is the only Sierra State Park that operates programs (including camping!) for visitors in the winter, making the experience absolutely one of a kind.

With miles of coastline along cool, crystal clear waters, swimming is one of the main events at Sugar Pine Point State Park. There is one designated beach by the campsites, but with water, water everywhere and no currents, swimmers that keep an eye out for boats and don’t stray too deep can enjoy the lake just about anywhere.

Coyotes, raccoons and bears, oh my! In addition to being home to the towering pines from which the park gets its name, the lush forests and lakeshore of Sugar Pine State Park draws a variety of wildlife, including California black bears, coyotes, porcupines, pine martens, beavers, bobcats and deer. Bird watchers, be sure to grab your binoculars, as ospreys, woodpeckers, and mountain chickadees perch in those tall, swaying branches. The usual suspects can be found by the water (mallard ducks, geese and kingfishers), but a lucky observer may be treated to a glimpse of a bald eagle. Click here for a complete list of plant and wildlife along the lake.