Skip to ContentSpooner Lake is a Nevada State Park on the east side of Lake Tahoe with more than 12,000 acres, a flat two-mile loop and winter trails groomed free of charge by the nonprofit Nevada Nordic.
Checked November 2, 2026. Dates, prices and hours change; the official page wins.
- 12,000+acres (official)
- $10day use per vehicle, Nevada
- 2 miflat loop around the lake
- 13 miof Tahoe Rim Trail in the park
Quick Facts
- OperatorNevada Division of State Parks; trails groomed by Nevada Nordic, donation-supported (official).
- FeesDay use $10 per vehicle ($15 non-Nevada vehicles); bike-in $2; sunrise to sunset (official).
- GroomingSouth side of Spooner Lake and up North Canyon toward Marlette Lake, weather permitting (official).
- Phone775-749-5980 (official).
- NoticeThe page lists a Hobart and Marlette dam closure project; no dates are given.
- Drive from RenoAbout 45 to 55 min (our estimate, no live traffic).
Snow Play Nearby
The Forest Service winter-sports page lists Tahoe Meadows near Reno for sledding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and Hope Valley Sno-Park on Blue Lakes Road off CA-88. A Visit Lake Tahoe page describes state Sno-Parks at Taylor Creek, Echo Lake and Hope Valley with a $5 daily permit, but other sources differ, so confirm on the California State Parks off-highway vehicle site (ohv.parks.ca.gov) before you go.
Safety
Winter conditions and avalanche terrain change quickly. Check the road and weather report before driving and travel with someone who knows the route.
Official site: Nevada State Parks: Spooner Lake and Backcountry.
What We Could Not Confirm
These items were not read on an official page when we checked, so we do not state them as fact. Who can confirm each one is named.
- Sno-Park permit prices (ohv.parks.ca.gov).
- Dates of the dam closure project (parks.nv.gov).
- Sky Tavern junior ski area (not read; skytavern.org would confirm).
More to Explore
- All Tahoe Ski Areas Compared
- Palisades Tahoe
- Alpine Meadows
- Northstar California
- Sugar Bowl
- Royal Gorge Cross Country
- Boreal Mountain Resort
- Soda Springs Mountain Resort
- Truckee
- Lake Tahoe
Frequently Asked Questions
Does grooming at Spooner Lake cost money?
The park page says Nevada Nordic grooms free of charge and relies on donations. You still pay the park day-use fee.
Sources
- Nevada State Parks: Spooner Lake and Backcountry (official)
- US Forest Service: Humboldt-Toiyabe winter sports (official)
- Visit Lake Tahoe: snow play
Cite this page: It’s Reno editorial team, “Spooner Lake and Backcountry,” itsreno.com, checked November 2, 2026.