Van Sickle Bi-State Park
Two states, one forest, five minutes from the casinos
⏱ 1-4 hours👤 All agesFree
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The park takes its name from the Van Sickle family, whose land along the state line became the park, and its bi-state status means the California Tahoe Conservancy and Nevada State Parks share management. That cooperation shows in the trail system, which crosses the state line without much fanfare. The lower trails wind among granite boulders and pines, and the views open up as you climb, looking back over the South Shore and the lake.
How to do it well: if you are staying at Stateline or Heavenly Village, walk in from Heavenly Village Way rather than driving. Take the short lower loops for a family outing, or follow the Rim Trail Connector for a longer climb with better views. Start early on summer days, since there is little shade higher up, and carry water. From November, enter on foot and bring traction devices if snow has fallen. Check the Nevada State Parks page for construction-area maps and any trail changes.
Practicals and fit: entrance off Heavenly Village Way, Stateline/South Lake Tahoe. Free entry; vehicles allowed May 1 through October 31, pedestrians year-round, sunrise to sunset. Plan an hour for a short loop or a half day for the Rim Trail connection. Best for families, couples, Stateline guests and hikers.
What to Expect
Format
A free trail park on the California-Nevada line behind Heavenly Village, with easy loops through pines and granite, lake lookouts, and a connector trail to the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Best Time
Summer and fall mornings; late afternoon for warm light over the lake. Pedestrian access year-round.
Duration
One hour for a short loop; three to four hours to reach the Rim Trail and return.
Tips
Walk in from Heavenly Village. Vehicles are allowed only May 1 through October 31. Check for construction closures. Dogs on six-foot leashes; no drones.
⚡ Quick Picks
Best For
A free forest walk with lake views, minutes from the Stateline casinos.
Families
Easy lower loops close to town, with boulders for kids to explore.
Couples
A golden-hour walk to a lake lookout before dinner in Heavenly Village.
Pair With
The Heavenly Gondola next door, or an evening in Heavenly Village.
Time Needed
One to four hours.
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Get Tickets →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Van Sickle Bi-State Park free?
Yes. There is no entry fee, and the park is jointly managed by California and Nevada.
Can I drive into the park?
From May 1 through October 31. The park closes to vehicles for winter on November 2, but pedestrians are welcome year-round from sunrise to sunset.
How do I get there from Heavenly Village?
It is a short walk. The entrance is off Heavenly Village Way, just behind the village and the Stateline casinos.
Does it connect to the Tahoe Rim Trail?
Yes. The Rim Trail Connector climbs several miles from the park to meet the Tahoe Rim Trail on the ridge above.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, on a leash of six feet or less.
More Lake Tahoe Attractions
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Heavenly Mountain Resort & Gondola
Tahoe's biggest mountain, straddling two states — 4,800 skiable acres in winter, and year-round gondola rides from South Lake Tahoe's village to a 9,123-foot observation deck with the lake filling the horizon.
Heavenly Village & Stateline
South Lake Tahoe's walkable heart — the gondola's base village of shops, restaurants, cinema, and winter ice rink, flowing straight into Stateline's Nevada casinos: dinner, a show, and a blackjack nightcap in one stroll.
Tahoe Rim Trail
A 165-plus-mile loop along the ridges around the whole Tahoe Basin, through two states and three wilderness areas — most visitors hike a day segment for the lake views, and thru-hikers circle the lake in a couple of weeks.