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Quick answer: The Marlette Lake hike starts at Spooner Lake in Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park on Lake Tahoe’s East Shore and climbs North Canyon to Marlette Lake. Nevada State Parks lists the route at 5 miles to the lake, so plan on about 10 miles out and back and most of a day. I’d call it moderate to strenuous because of the length and the steady climb (State Parks does not publish an elevation gain). The best time is summer and early fall, when the trail is snow-free and the aspens turn. Day use is $10 per Nevada vehicle or $15 for out-of-state vehicles, and leashed dogs are allowed. The Marlette backcountry reopened on September 26, 2026, after two years of dam repair closures.
I’ve lived in the Tahoe area for seven years, and Marlette Lake is one of the best long hikes on the Nevada side. It’s an alpine lake tucked above the East Shore, reached by a steady climb through North Canyon from Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
Marlette Lake Trail Facts
| Topic | What to know | Official info |
|---|---|---|
| Marlette Lake via North Canyon (main route) | Starts at Spooner Lake and follows North Canyon Road to the lake. Nevada State Parks lists it at 5 miles, so plan on about 10 miles out and back. A hiker and horse trail runs alongside the road for about 4 miles, so you can stay off the road for most of the climb. | Nevada State Parks |
| Marlette Flume Trail connection | The historic Marlette Flume Trail is 4.4 miles long. You reach it from the south via North Canyon, or from the north via the steeper Tunnel Creek Road. It is best known as a mountain bike ride, so most hikers just walk a short stretch for the lake views. | Nevada State Parks |
| Spooner Lake loop | A flat 2-mile trail circles Spooner Lake at the trailhead. It is the easy option for kids, dogs or a shorter day, and the lake is ringed by aspens. | Nevada State Parks |
| Tahoe Rim Trail | About 13 miles of the Tahoe Rim Trail wind through the park, passing above Marlette Lake. Marlette Peak Campground is the only designated TRT campground in the park. | Nevada State Parks and Tahoe Rim Trail Association |
| Fees and parking | Day use is $10 per vehicle with Nevada plates or $15 for out-of-state vehicles. Bike-in visitors pay $2 per bike. The park is open sunrise to sunset, and the backcountry is managed as a non-motorized area. | parks.nv.gov fees |
| Dogs | Allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Keep dogs out of the water when a harmful algal bloom advisory is posted. | Nevada State Parks |
| Bikes | Mountain bikes are welcome in the backcountry, and the Flume Trail is a classic ride. Bikes are not allowed on the Tahoe Rim Trail between Hobart Road and Spooner Summit. | Nevada State Parks and TRTA |
| Fall color | Spooner Lake is surrounded by aspens, and the park has ribbons of aspen groves through North Canyon. Peak timing changes every year, so check recent reports before you go. | Nevada State Parks |
| Winter and snow | Nevada Nordic grooms free, donation-supported ski trails in Spooner Meadow and up North Canyon to Marlette Lake, snow permitting. Snowshoers are welcome but should stay off the ski tracks. | Nevada State Parks and Nevada Nordic |
| Camping and cabins | Walk-in campgrounds at Marlette Peak, Hobart and North Canyon. There is no dispersed camping around Marlette Lake or anywhere else in the park. Two backcountry cabins (Spooner Lake Cabin and Wildcat Cabin) are available May 1 to October 15. | Nevada State Parks |
| Fishing | Marlette Lake is catch-and-release only, with artificial lures and single barbless hooks, from July 15 through September 30. A Nevada fishing license is required. | Nevada State Parks |
2026 Reopening After the Marlette Dam Project
Nevada State Parks reopened the west side of the Spooner Lake backcountry, including North Canyon Road, Marlette Lake and the Flume Trail, on September 26, 2026, which was National Public Lands Day. The reopening followed two years of closures for the repair of Marlette Dam.
The dam dates to 1873 and is part of the historic Marlette Lake Water System, which still supplies water to Carson City and Storey County. A 2017 state inspection found seepage that could eventually lead to failure, so the state replaced the old earthen dam with a new one. The FEMA-funded project ran from June 2025 to October 2026, according to Nevada State Public Works. During construction, trails were closed on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. and open on weekends.
A few things are still different after the project:
- The lake was drawn down about 20 feet during construction. The state estimates it will take four to six seasons to refill, depending on snowpack, so expect a lower shoreline for a few years.
- The Nevada Department of Wildlife moved Marlette’s fish during construction and plans to restock the lake when conditions allow.
- Hobart Reservoir and the trails around it stay closed during a separate Hobart Dam rehabilitation, which State Parks expects to finish in July 2027. Lakeview, Franktown Creek and Pipeline Roads close during construction hours. Check the current closure notice and closure map before planning a longer loop.
The Route: Spooner Lake to Marlette Lake
From the Spooner Lake trailhead, follow the signs for Marlette Lake into North Canyon. The route follows North Canyon Road, and a separate hiker and horse trail runs alongside it for about 4 miles, so you can stay on singletrack for most of the climb. You may share the road with mountain bikers, so keep an ear out.
The trail climbs steadily through mixed forest, meadows and aspen groves. About 2.5 miles up North Canyon, you pass near the Wildcat Cabin, one of the park’s two rentable backcountry cabins. Keep following the signs and the route brings you to Marlette Lake.
Marlette Lake Trailhead
At the lake, have lunch and turn around the way you came. If you want more, you can connect to the Marlette Flume Trail, named for the historic wooden flume that once carried water to the Comstock, and known for its views of Lake Tahoe. It runs 4.4 miles between North Canyon and Tunnel Creek Road, so most hikers just walk a short stretch for the views and then head back.
Eagle Falls and Eagle Lake Trail is also a great hike for all hikers!
Spooner Lake Loop: The Easy Option
If 10 miles is too much, the flat 2-mile loop around Spooner Lake is a great alternative. It’s good for families and dogs, and the aspens around the lake are lovely in fall. It’s also on our list of dog-friendly hiking trails in Lake Tahoe, and you can compare it with other options in our guide to the best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe.
How to Get There
The Spooner Lake entrance is on Nevada State Route 28, near its junction with U.S. 50 at Spooner Summit. From Carson City, take U.S. 50 west and turn north onto SR 28. From Stateline and South Lake Tahoe, take U.S. 50 north along the East Shore. From Incline Village, take SR 28 south past Sand Harbor.
The Nevada Department of Transportation is building a new parking area and watercraft inspection station across SR 28 from the park entrance, with work running through fall 2027. Expect flaggers and a 35 mph work zone, and note that visitors who park there still need to pay the walk-in fee for Spooner. The separate Spooner Summit trailheads on U.S. 50 are Tahoe Rim Trail access points, not the start of the North Canyon route.
What to Bring
- Plenty of water. Don’t count on the lake, and treat any water you take from it. The Marlette Peak Campground pump is off the main route and usually runs only from about June to October.
- Layers, a sun hat and sunscreen. The weather changes fast at this elevation.
- Snacks or a picnic lunch, and a bag to pack out your trash. Trash is not collected in the backcountry.
- A map. Download the park’s trail map before you go, because cell service can be spotty.
- A leash no longer than 6 feet if your dog is coming, plus water for them.
- Bear awareness. Never leave food out, and use the bear boxes at campsites.
Drones are not allowed in the park, and removing rocks, plants or historic items is prohibited.
Best Time to Hike Marlette Lake
Summer and early fall are the best months for hiking, once the snow has melted off North Canyon. Fall is especially pretty, when the aspens around Spooner Lake and in North Canyon turn gold. In spring, snow can hang on at this elevation, so check conditions with the park first. In winter, the route becomes a cross-country ski and snowshoe trip on the trails Nevada Nordic grooms up North Canyon.
Before any trip, check the Spooner Lake page on parks.nv.gov for alerts. In May 2026, Nevada State Parks posted a harmful algal bloom watch for Marlette Lake. If the water looks discolored or smells bad, stay out and keep your dog out too.
More East Shore Ideas
Make a day of it on the Nevada side. Spend the afternoon at Sand Harbor, ride or walk the Tahoe East Shore Trail, or plan a bigger trip on the Tahoe Rim Trail.
FAQs
Q: How long is the Marlette Lake hike?
A: Nevada State Parks lists the route from Spooner Lake to Marlette Lake via North Canyon Road at 5 miles, so the out-and-back hike is about 10 miles. It climbs steadily the whole way to the lake, so plan on most of a day.
Q: Is the Marlette Lake trail open?
A: Yes. Nevada State Parks reopened the west side of the Spooner Lake backcountry, including North Canyon Road, Marlette Lake and the Flume Trail, on September 26, 2026, after two years of closures for the Marlette Dam repair. Hobart Reservoir and its surrounding trails stayed closed for separate dam work, so check parks.nv.gov before you go.
Q: Is there a fee to hike to Marlette Lake?
A: Yes. Spooner Lake charges a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle with Nevada plates or $15 for out-of-state vehicles, and $2 per bike for bike-in visitors.
Q: Can I bring my dog to Marlette Lake?
A: Yes. Dogs are welcome in Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Keep them out of the water if a harmful algal bloom advisory is posted for Marlette Lake.
Q: Can you bike to Marlette Lake and the Flume Trail?
A: Yes. Mountain bikers ride up North Canyon to Marlette Lake and on to the 4.4-mile Marlette Flume Trail. Bikes are not allowed on the Tahoe Rim Trail between Hobart Road and Spooner Summit.
Q: Can you go to Marlette Lake in winter?
A: Yes, on skis or snowshoes. Nevada Nordic grooms ski trails in Spooner Meadow and up North Canyon to Marlette Lake when there is enough snow. Snowshoers are welcome but should stay off the groomed tracks.
Planning more time outdoors? See our guides to best spots at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park and trails for fall colors in Lake Tahoe.
About the author: Sherry Boyer
Sherry Boyer has lived in the Reno/Tahoe region for seven years, and she and her husband spent decades visiting Lake Tahoe several times a year before they moved here. With extended family around the lake, they spend their free time hiking the trails, boating on Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake, and fishing all over the area. Sherry writes Lake Tahoe Travel Tips to share the places they love with visitors.
