If you are looking for a place to really get away from it all, then look no further than Spooner Lake and Backcountry State Park.
Nestled within the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Nevada, this picturesque park is just a short drive from Lake Tahoe. It covers more than 12,000 acres of pristine wilderness and offers visitors the chance to enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities.
The centerpiece of the park is Spooner Lake, a crystal-clear mountain lake that provides a serene setting for picnics, swimming, and fishing. Throughout the park there are also several miles of scenic hiking and mountain biking trails that wind through lush meadows and dense forests of pine and aspen trees.
A must-visit destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors, this Nevada state park also offers backcountry camping and cabins for those who want to experience its serenity and tranquility for a night or two.
Activities
The park offers guests several ways to immerse themselves within its beautiful scenery through several leisurely outdoor activities.
Showcased below is a brief summary of some of the most popular things you can see and do during your time there.
Fishing at Spooner Lake And Backcountry State Park
Stocked with rainbow, brown, and Lahontan cutthroat trout, Spooner Lake is an excellent spot to cast a line.
If you are over the age of 12, you will need a license if you want to do so in the main fishing spot in the park.
However, once you get one, you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting a decent haul.
In addition to Spooner Lake, the park also has several streams and creeks that are great places to fish. If you are not sure of the best place to go, the park’s staff, or other anglers should be able to guide you.
Once you have caught something, you can use the park’s fish cleaning station to help you prepare your catch for cooking.
Hiking at Spooner Lake And Backcountry State Park
Spooner Lake and Backcountry State Park offers visitors a range of hiking trails that provide stunning views of the surrounding mountains, forests, and meadows.
Overall, the park has more than 50 miles of hiking trails that range from easy walks around the lake to more strenuous climbs up the nearby peaks.
One of the park’s main trails is the Marlette Lake Trail, which is a 10-mile round trip hike that takes you through dense forests and past several alpine lakes.
Another is the Tahoe Rim Trail, which offers panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains.
In addition, you can also choose to tackle the North Canyon Trail, the Red House Flume Trail, and the Spooner Summit Trail. All trails are well-marked and maintained, which makes them straightforward to follow.
Before hitting the trails, hikers are advised to bring plenty of water and sunscreen, especially during the summer months.
Biking at Spooner Lake And Backcountry State Park
As well as hiking, the park is a premier mountain biking destination in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Nevada.
Some of the park’s trails are multi-use, while others are designated solely for biking. All of them showcase the park’s stunning landscape in unique and interesting ways.
If you intend to go mountain biking in the park, be sure to wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.
Birding at Spooner Lake And Backcountry State Park
If you are a birding enthusiast you will relish the opportunity to spot over 150 different species of birds within the park.
Birders can explore the park’s trails and habitats to observe a variety of bird species in their natural habitats.
Some of the breeds you’ll see live in the park all year round, while others are more seasonal inhabitants.
Depending on the time of year you visit, some common bird species in the park include woodpeckers, jays, chickadees, and nuthatches.
The park also has several wetland areas that attract waterfowl and wading birds, such as herons and egrets.
The best times for birding at Spooner Lake and Backcountry State Park are in the early morning and late afternoon, when bird activity is at its peak.
Pets
You are welcome to bring pets with you to the park, although they must be restrained on a leash for the entire time they are at the park.
Several other conditions are also placed on their presence including dogs not being allowed in certain parts of the park.
Owners are also required to clean up after their furry friends if they make a mess.
For a full rundown of the park’s pet policy you should get in touch with the main office.
Camping
For those who want to camp at Spooner Lake And Backcountry State Park there are three primitive, walk-in campgrounds available.
These include the ones at Hobart, Marlette Peak and North Canyon. Each of them provides a restroom and offers camp sites that have food and trash boxes for storage that are bear resistant. If you want to stay here you will have to pack it and pack out everything you need.
At these campgrounds, a maximum of 14 days in any given 30-day period are strictly enforced.
In addition to these camp sites, the park also manages two backcountry cabins. They include the Spooner Lake Cabin, which can sleep four people and the Wildcat Cabin that can sleep two people.
Both are open from May 1st to October 15th and have basic amenities including wood burning and cook stoves and composting toilets.
However, other items including food, utensils and sleeping bags will have to be brought with you.
Park Location
Spooner Lake And Backcountry State Park
Highway 28
Spooner Lake, NV 89703
Phone: 775.831.0494
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