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Welcome to my comprehensive guide on visiting Skunk Harbor, a hidden(ish) gem nestled along the picturesque shoreline of Lake Tahoe.

Skunk Harbor offers a unique combination of breathtaking scenery and a tranquil hiking trail that’ll leave you in awe of its natural splendor.

Located on the eastern side of Lake Tahoe, Skunk Harbor is a welcomed break from the hectic, overly touristy southern portion of Tahoe.

As you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a sense of serenity, surrounded by towering pine trees, crystal-clear turquoise water and panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

In this guide, I’ll cover many topics such as parking, the hiking trail, the cove itself and what to expect along the way. Let’s get into it!

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A from above view of Skunk Harbor in Lake Tahoe.

Trail Stats

Location: Lake Tahoe (east shore)
Fee: None
Permit: None
Open: All year, but difficult to access in winter
For: Hikers
Restroom: None
Parking: Two small pull-out style lots along the highway
EV Stations: None
Difficulty: Easy going in, moderate going out
Popularity: Medium to high
Mileage: 2.8-miles, RT
Time: 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain: 567 feet
Condition: Maintained, easy to follow
Features: A cove with clear waters and a historic cabin
Pets: Allowed, but must be leashed
Drones: Allowed, per the B4UFLY App
Hazards: Hike out is steep and sun exposed
Our Visit(s): 2016, 2017, 2019 and July 2023

Skunk Harbor Parking

The small parking lot for Skunk Harbor in Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe in general is notorious for its parking issues, but the eastern shoreline along Highway 28 is in a league all its own.

There are two small, pull-out style lots along the side of Highway 28 specifically for Skunk Harbor. However, they’re difficult to spot as they’re not signed.

Your best bet is to utilize a GPS device to locate them. That way you’ll know when they’re coming up.

If you’re coming from Carson City or the south shore, keep an eye out for the gate pictured above. Just past that gate is the first lot with a second, slightly larger one further up.

If you’re coming from Incline Village, you’ll know you’ve gone too far if you’ve reached Spooner Lake. Turn around a try again.

There is no parking fee (yet) but as of June 2023 and for the foreseeable future, construction on Highway 28 could damper, or even block your ability to park here.

There is ongoing efforts to improve the parking situation along this stretch of the lake. I’d wager that once they're done, there will be parking fees implemented.

The Trail To Skunk Harbor

The hiking trail to Skunk Harbor in Lake Tahoe.

If you parked in the lot near the gate, the trail begins past the gate along a forest service road. If you parked in the second one, the trail is a semi-steep descent on a dirt path that’ll soon intersect with the main trail.

For a short time the trail is gravel but soon turns to dirt. It’s much wider than your standard hiking trail, though. So it’s perfect for groups and pets.

Before the trail descends towards Skunk Harbor, you’ll be presented with a fork in the trail. Take a slight left to continue on the trail proper (don’t take the sharp left down the forest road).

A view of Lake Tahoe from the Skunk Harbor trail.

Shortly after this fork, you’ll walk between a couple of boulder stacks. Here, you’ll get a commanding view of Lake Tahoe and the mountains. Past here, you’ll begin your descent.

You’ll hit a few switchbacks before reaching the bottom. The initial half loop to the first switchback is steep, but they become more level after that.

As you approach the cove, you’ll see a stone stairwell with a trail marker indicating the correct path. You’ll know you’re in the right spot if you see a small wooden bridge ahead of you.

Skunk Harbor

If you get an early start, you’ll likely have Skunk Harbor largely to yourself. If you come later in the day, though, the cove and its beach will likely be inundated with anchored boats and beach goers.

Early in the season, there won’t be much a beach but as snowmelt eases, it’ll become more exposed. The boulders near the mouth will be accessible as well.

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To the right of where you came in is a old stone cabin that was built in the early 1920’s by a wealthy family who purchased Skunk Harbor.

The interior of the cabin isn’t accessible but can be viewed through the grating in the window. You can explore all angles of the exterior, though.

Front view of the Skunk Harbor cabin in Lake Tahoe.

Behind the cabin is a dirt path that’ll lead you to an overlook of Skunk Harbor. There are a lot of downed trees and boulders here, so you’ll need to navigate those.

The back side of the Skunk Harbor cabin in Lake Tahoe.

From here, you’re able to better see the remains of the cabin’s boating dock submerged in the water.

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I hope you’ll consider hiking to (or boating into) Skunk Harbor during your visit to Lake Tahoe. Get there early and you’re guaranteed to spend a serene morning in nature.

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