Get out on the water, enjoy excellent trails or relax at the campground, all with the reward of incredible views!
Hiking
From Highway 89 (near Camp Richardson Resort), turn onto Fallen Leaf Road and access the easier trails past the campground. Several spots on the shoulder are available for parking. The lake will be off to your right and a 15-minute walk on reasonably level ground. From here, just one short climb up and over a short ridge will get you to the water. This is my favorite place to run, and part of the Kokanee Salmon trail runs are held every fall.
To access the more strenuous hiking trails, you need to continue driving a few miles down Fallen Leaf Road and park near the fire station. A fun loop is to head up to Angora Ridge from just behind the Chapel on the Angora Lake Trail.
A few hundred yards up the trail, you’re rewarded with a beautiful view of Fallen Leaf and Lake Tahoe. At the top of the ridge, follow the trail to Angora Road, turn right, and continue to Angora Lakes. In the summer, make sure you have money to buy fresh-squeezed lemonade at the Angora Lakes store. It is a refreshing reward for your hiking efforts! You can return on the Church Trail or continue further down Angora Road to meet up with the Clark Trail, located behind the fire lookout. The Clark Trail will bring you back down just across from the store and marina.
Camping
Camping at Fallen Leaf Lake feels like stepping into a quieter, more tucked-away version of Tahoe, where your campsite sits beneath tall pines and the air smells like cedar and lake water, and while most sites don’t have direct lake views, it’s usually just a short walk to a calm, glassy shoreline framed by mountains like Mount Tallac.
The campground is typically open from mid-May through mid-October depending on weather, with reservations required and spots that fill quickly. Sites are well spaced and come standard with a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and bear-proof food locker, plus paved parking for tents or RVs, and there are even a few yurts if you want something more cabin-like . The setup is simple but comfortable, with flush restrooms, coin-operated showers, water spigots, and a small camp store on-site, along with a camp host and easy access to nearby trails, Taylor Creek, and the lake itself . Overall, the experience leans peaceful and immersive rather than busy, with wildlife nearby, nights that get quiet quickly, and that feeling of being just removed enough from Lake Tahoe to actually slow down.
Marina
At the south end of Fallen Leaf Lake, the Fallen Leaf Marina is where the whole “on the water” experience comes to life, with a low-key, local feel where you can rent pontoon boats or small fishing boats for a relaxed cruise, or keep it simple with kayaks and paddleboards that let you glide across the glassy water with Mount Tallac rising in the background; they also offer mooring, a boat launch, fuel, and even a small beach and store, so it’s easy to spend a full day right there. Getting out on the lake is pretty straightforward but part of what keeps it special, you’ll drive down the narrow Fallen Leaf Road to the marina, park, and either launch your own vessel or rent one on site, with access points at the boat ramp or small beach, and from there you’re immediately in a quieter, less developed alpine setting where paddling, fishing, or slowly exploring the shoreline feels more personal and unhurried than Lake Tahoe itself.
Fishing
Fishing at Fallen Leaf Lake feels calm and immersive, set against a classic alpine backdrop of towering pines and the dramatic face of Mount Tallac reflecting across still water, and the lake is known for its cold, clear conditions that support healthy populations of rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, and kokanee salmon. Anglers can fish from shore, a small boat, or quietly from a kayak, with early mornings and evenings offering the best chance for active bites when the lake is glassy and quiet. Spring through early summer is especially productive as fish move closer to shore with cooler water temperatures, while late summer and early fall tend to favor deeper fishing and kokanee runs that draw anglers looking for a more targeted experience. Whether you are casting from the shoreline near Taylor Creek or drifting out from the marina, the setting is just as memorable as the catch, with crisp mountain air, clear water beneath you, and a sense of stillness that makes the whole experience feel removed from the busier parts of Lake Tahoe.
General Store and Cafe
The Fallen Leaf Lake General Store & Cafe is one of those simple, everything-you-need stops that becomes part of the experience, offering a small but well-stocked grocery selection with essentials like produce, snacks, beverages, dairy, beer and wine, plus camping basics, fishing supplies, and a few souvenirs if you forgot something or want a memento . The café side keeps things casual and satisfying, with a grill and deli serving breakfast and lunch favorites like burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and ice cream, making it an easy place to grab a quick meal after time on the lake or trails . Access is straightforward whether you are camping or just visiting, you drive down Fallen Leaf Road past the campground and marina where the store sits nearby, so you can stop in for last-minute supplies before heading to your site or swing by after a swim, paddle, or hike and settle in for a relaxed lunch surrounded by tall pines and that quieter, tucked-away Tahoe atmosphere.
More Important Information
From Memorial Day through September 30, the Fallen Leaf Store and Marina are open. The store includes a café that serves burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, and fries during lunchtime. If you’re a water person, rent a paddleboat, kayak, or my preferred watercraft, a stand-up paddleboard, and get out on the water! Often in the fall, the water stays calm and glassy through the morning, so I’ll take a lunchtime paddle break.
You can reach the store at 530-544-5323 and the marina at 530-544-BOAT.
Get Outside – Truly Appreciate Fallen Leaf Lake
Check out Fallen Leaf Lake on Instagram
