Spooner Lake and Backcountry

Nevada's quiet high-country side of Tahoe

⏱ 1-6 hours👤 All ages$

The backcountry has a history. In the late 1800s, flumes and ditches carried water and timber from these mountains down to Virginia City and the Comstock mines, and the Flume Trail follows one of those old routes. Marlette Lake was dammed as a reservoir for the same system, and the Hobart and Marlette dams are still part of Nevada's water infrastructure, which is why the current repair work is happening. The forest has regrown since the logging era, and the aspen groves around Spooner Lake are among the best on the Nevada side.

How to do it well: for families, walk the Spooner Lake loop in the morning and bring a picnic. For fall color, come in late September or October. For mountain biking, plan the Flume Trail carefully: it is a long day with a big climb, and the shuttle and trail-closure situation should be confirmed before you go. In winter, check Nevada Nordic's grooming report, bring a donation, and ski or snowshoe the meadow loops. Pay the day-use fee at the entrance, and check the park page for the Hobart dam repair closure schedule.

Practicals and fit: at Spooner Summit near the junction of Highway 28 and Highway 50, about 20 minutes from Stateline and about 25 minutes from Incline Village. Per-vehicle day-use fee (higher for out-of-state vehicles) and a small per-bike fee. Open sunrise to sunset, every day. Best for families, mountain bikers, fall color seekers and Nordic skiers.