Lake Tahoe – Monkey Rock Hike to Uninterrupted Views
One could say that his hike is bananas… and they would be correct for various reasons. First, the views from the rock structures are bonkers because it is essentially an uninterrupted scene of the entire Lake Tahoe. And second, the hike’s destination features a rock shaped like a gorilla! The Monkey Rock Hike is around 2.6 miles round-trip, so you’re getting a phenomenal payoff for a relatively short hike. This trail is also an excellent option for older kids!
And of course, with amazing views and a short hike, you can expect this trial to be busy! So busy that I would avoid doing it on summer weekends. Instead, I think it would be best for the shoulder season or possibly winter (depending on snow levels). We did the hike in late October immediately after a brief early snowfall. The trail was clear, and we had great weather, glassy water, and a dusting of snow on the surrounding mountains. I don’t think we could have gotten better conditions if we tried.
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Monkey Rock Hike
The Monkey Rock Hike begins near Incline Village, where the northeast bike path starts. Skip down to my “Getting to the Trailhead” section for more info about parking. Instead of staying on street level, you’ll go up the hill on Tunnel Creek Road. There is a house and some informational plaques where the dirt trail begins. You will immediately have a view over Lake Tahoe, which took our breath away. I had NEVER seen Lake Tahoe this glassy. Typically I visit in summer with wind on the water and boats crisscrossing the lake, but not this time. We knew we were in for a treat from this first viewpoint.
The trail starts with a gentle, straight climb, and you can see the bike path below. Once you hit the first turn, there will be a series of switchbacks as you gain a fair amount of elevation. The switchback section will take your breath away but is still very doable. Take your time with the switchbacks, and watch for a subtle left turn off of the main trail. The main trail continues for a while, for mountain bikers and farther distance hikes. Rocks and some longs were demarking the path, but I feel like I could have missed it if I didn’t have the All Trails app open.
Once you make the left turn, there is a little bit more climbing toward a large stack of rocks, which is essentially your final destination. When you reach the giant pile facing Lake Tahoe, take a look to your right down the hill, and you should see Monkey Rock!
At a Glance:
- Rating: 4 (out of 4) stars, would definitely go again
- Intensity: Hiking (or tennis shoes), athletic clothes
- Location: Near Incline Village on the north-east side of Lake Tahoe
- Cost: Free to use, not free to park. We went well beyond the parking lots to grab some free parking.
- Restrooms: There were no restrooms available for public use
- Timing: 2 – 3 hours
- Distance: 2.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 498 ft
Highlights:
- Great shorter hike with absolutely stunning views of Lake Tahoe
- Possibility (but not guaranteed) to hike in winter – the trail is on a south-facing slope, which means it gets far more sun and a chance to warm up. We could not hike other trails during our trip, but this trail wasn’t even an issue.
- The lake itself was the most still that I have EVER seen! It was incredibly glassy with only a small handful of boats on the water – this is unheard of in summer.
Lowlights:
- This hike is a popular trail! Even during the shoulder season, we passed by about 20 people going up and down.
The Views + Scenic Rocks to Look For
There are a couple of different rocks from the main rock stack that you can check out. Some of the rocks have a bit of a drop, so be sure to move slowly, give other people time to move around, and be careful. Sometimes there is an unnecessary urgency to get a particular photo, but with so many people, take it down a notch, have a snack, and wait for an opening.
Monkey Rock
It’s super fun to find Monkey Rock! As I mentioned in the previous section, you should be able to see Monkey Rock to the right of the large stack (when facing Lake Tahoe) and slightly down the hill. The rock looks like the monkey faces Lake Tahoe and is very steep to approach. Upon closer inspection, it is evident that people have carved the monkey’s features into the rock. It is a bit of a bummer because the rock shape already looks like a monkey; I don’t think it was necessary to add these extra embellishments. If you decide to this hike, I hope that you abide by leave no trace principles and do not carve any further, and simply enjoy it as it is.
Sitting Rock/Reclining Rock
Another fun rock to find looks like a reclining chair. You’ll find this one in front of the large stack. What’s fantastic about this reclining rock is the UNINTERRUPTED views of Lake Tahoe. It is super fun to get a photo with your legs up while sitting on the rock. By the way, I am sitting on the rock, you might think it is comfortable, but it’s not!! It’s uncomfortable but worthwhile, in my opinion. There is a bit of a drop off the other side of the reclining rock, so please be careful.
Getting on top of the Large Stack
And finally, you can also climb on top of the large stack of rocks if you feel inclined to. There is a tree in the way, but it has a generally good view. You could climb up here and have a snack while waiting for the sitting/reclining rock to open up. As per the other rocks, be careful while climbing on the rock.
The Return Trip
To get back to the trailhead, simply follow the trail you came from. Coming down the switchbacks is quick and easy compared to climbing them. You can enjoy the slowly changing views of Lake Tahoe in front of you without huffing and puffing. Before you know it, you’ll be back along the first flatter section and back at the trailhead. It felt like the return trip took no time at all.
Monkey Rock Hike – What to bring with you
Even though the Monkey Rock Hike is not particularly long, I recommend bringing a small backpack with essentials, such as:
- Download the Alltrails Map
- Day Pack – I used a small 18L backpack from Amazon. Consider the Gregory May 16 or small Osprey pack for a more comfortable experience.
- Hiking Shoes – You might be able to get away with tennis shoes on this hike. But having a little more grip is best. I wore the Keens Logan Mid, which are sadly no longer available, but the Keen Targhee Mid, Targhee II Mid, Targhee III Mid, or Voyageur Mid seem very similar.
- I also use a layered socks system to prevent blisters, which includes a sock liner, like this EcoMade one, with a thicker one on top like the theEcoMade midweight or Marino Wool midweight
- Water bottle – You cannot go wrong with a handy dandy Nalgene
- Layers to add and remove as needed – The blue shirt is an older version of Patagonia’s Capilene Midweight Base Layer, and I also brought a Uniqlo black puffy jacket
- Sunscreen – I use this sunscreen for my face, and this one for my body
- Small tripod for photos
Getting to the Trailhead
The trailhead is near Incline Village on the Northeast side of Lake Tahoe. A series of new paid parking spots were developed with the north shore bike path. I LOVE that Lake Tahoe is investing in the infrastructure of outdoor recreation! You’ll want to make a left on Ponderosa Ranch Road from the parking area, which dead-ends very quickly. Instead, make a slight right to climb the hill on Tunnel Creek Road. The trail begins at the dead end on Tunnel Creek Road. You can also use AllTrails or Google Maps to route you to the trailhead.
Other Things to do at Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a loved and familiar destination for my family and me. Here are other activities that I’ve done and written about in the area:
- East Shore Bike Path – Bike and Swim in Lake Tahoe
- Maggie’s Peak Hike – Tough Hike with Incredible Views
- Rubicon Trail – Connecting Emerald Bay and DL Bliss State Park
- Cave Rock – Short Hike on the Southeast Shore
- My Favorite Lake Tahoe Beaches – Kick back or take a swim
- How to Cozy Cabin Experience – We stayed in Truckee in the fall with snow!
- Full details of a Full Boat Rental with Action Watersports of Tahoe
- Eagle Lake Hike – 2-Mile Hike through Alpine Scenery
- Sunset Sail and Sparkling Wine with Sail Tahoe Blue
- Rifle Peak Hike – Insanely strenuous hike… but worthwhile? Still deciding
- Clear Kayak Stargazing Tour with Clearly Tahoe
Overall Thoughts: Monkey Rock Hike
The Monkey Rock Hike has been on my radar for a while now, and I am so glad I checked it out during the shoulder season! It’s a great little hike with an obvious destination and uninterrupted views of Lake Tahoe. Since it is so close to the bike path, and because the trail continues for mountain bikers and hikers, it is a busy trail, but by going during the shoulder season, I feel we nailed the crowds, as well as the conditions – Lake Tahoe, could not be more beautiful and glassy. The climb is the perfect amount to get your heart rate going and feel like you’re getting a good workout, but with an excellent reward!
I’m always looking for more activities to do around Lake Tahoe. I end up going to Tahoe roughly every year, so what should I check out next?? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Travels,
Hanna
