Dirt Bike Riding at Lake Tahoe

Dirt Bike Riding at Prison Hill OHV

Let's go dirt riding at Lake Tahoe. Before getting into online resources where you can find where to ride, get a load of the fun video above, featuring an epic fail on the Prison Hill OHV trails. These dirt riding trails are just "down the hill" from South Lake Tahoe, in Carson City, Nevada. Thse riders found challenges, fun and a flying bike!

Dirt Biking in the Tahoe Basin: Spooner Summit

The OHV trailhead is located right at the top of Spooner Summit on Highway 50, just before the highway makes a "Y" to go to North Lake Tahoe or Carson City. As you approach the "Y" at the summit, look for the parking pullouts on the right side of the road. These areas provide direct access to the motorized trails that branch into the surrounding hills.

Where the Trail Goes

When you park at the Spooner Summit OHV access point, the trail ascends to the ridge above Lake Tahoe. Then, the motorized routes extend along the spine of the ridge, with side trails branching toward viewpoints, forest clearings, and connecting roads. The main OHV corridor generally follows the high ground between Spooner Summit and the areas above Kingsbury Grade to the South, offering long stretches of open terrain and panoramic scenery.

Staging Tips

The parking pullouts at the summit are the most convenient staging areas. They offer enough room for trucks and trailers, and the trail access begins just a short ride from the pavement. Because the summit is exposed and can be windy, it helps to secure gear and prepare your bike before unloading. Cell service is usually available but can be unreliable as you move deeper into the range, so download trail maps in advance if you rely on GPS navigation.

Riders often air down slightly for better traction on decomposed granite surfaces. Carry extra water, because the high elevation and dry air can dehydrate you quickly and there is no water along the way. The trails are shared-use, so you will be sharing with hikers, mountain bikers and other off-roaders.

Seasonal Access

Because Spooner Summit sits above 7,000 feet, snow can linger well into spring. Many of the motorized routes remain inaccessible until early summer, depending on the winter snowpack. Fall is often the best season for dirt biking at Lake Tahoe, with cooler temperatures and clear views. Before you go, it's important to check current conditions and any temporary closures issued by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, because trail access can change due to weather, fire restrictions, or maintenance work.

Dirt Biking in the Tahoe Basin: Kingsbury Grade

The Road to the Kingsbury Grade OHV Trailhead

The main OHV access road at the top of Kingsbury Grade is Andria Drive. When you reach the summit of Kingsbury Grade (NV-207), turn north on N. Benjamin Dr. This street becomes Andria Dr. which you follow to the end, where the trailhead sign will be on your left, next to the paved parking area. This is the staging area for dirt bikes and ATVs as well as hikers and mountain bike riders. From this trailhead, riders park, unload, and head out to dirt biking fun.

Where the Trail Goes

From Kingsbury Grade, riders can climb toward Genoa Peak and continue along the ridge system that stretches north toward Spooner Summit.

Staging Tips

The staging area near the top of Kingsbury Grade works well for staging, but space can be limited on busy weekends. Arrive early if you are towing a trailer. The grade is exposed to wind, so secure your gear before unloading. Cell service is generally good near the summit but becomes unreliable as you move deeper into the mountains, so download maps in advance if you depend on GPS navigation.

Riders often air down slightly for better traction on decomposed granite. Bring plenty of water, because there are no water stops and high elevation and dry air can dehydrate you quickly. Trails in this area are shared-use, so expect to encounter hikers, mountain bikers, and other OHV users along the way.

Seasonal Access

Kingsbury Grade sits just below 7,400 feet, so snow can linger into late spring on the higher routes. Many of the ridge trails do not fully open until early summer, depending on the winter snowpack. Fall is often the best season for riding, with cooler temperatures and clear visibility. Always check current conditions and any temporary closures from the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, because access can change due to weather, fire restrictions, or maintenance work.

Dirt Biking at Tahoe South East: Castle Rock/Genoa Peak Trailhead

There is still some name confusion when searching for "Castle Rock Trailhead," because Google Maps shows multiple Castle Rock locations around Tahoe. The trailhead we are talking about is the one directly west of Genoa, Nevada, on the Nevada side of the ridge.

When you are not focused on navigating the mostly smooth double-track, take a moment to stop and enjoy the scenery. The views are fantastic. This area is also popular with hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners, and a few spur trails lead toward private property. If you encounter a dead-end, simply backtrack and continue exploring. The main OHV routes are clearly marked for motorcycle use.

You will find nearly 10 miles of double-track dirt roads, numerous branching trails, and a few open areas perfect for practicing skills or just playing around on your bike.

For riders wanting to go farther, you can continue north toward South Camp Peak, Duane Bliss Peak, and eventually reach Highway 50 above Glenbrook via the main north-south ridge road.

Get yourself a US Forest Service topo map set for Tahoe and you will not get lost.

For those wanting to stay out longer, there is limited primitive camping in the area. Be sure to follow current USFS dispersed camping rules, which now include seasonal fire restrictions and distance requirements from water sources.

How to get to the Castle Rock Trailhead.

Start in Carson City, Nevada. Go south on Hwy 395 S for 13 miles. At Hwy 88, turn south and go 2 miles. At State Route 207 (Kingsbury Grade), turn right and head west. Continue on 207 for a little over 11 miles. When you see N. Benjamin Dr., turn right and head north. After about 1.5 miles, N. Benjamin Dr. becomes Andria Dr. Continue up the hill and look to your left for the parking area marked as Castle Rock Trailhead. Time to explore and enjoy!

Castle Rock Trailhead Map

This Google map shows the road to the Castle Rock Trailhead and an aerial view of the surrounding terrain. You can also see Castle Rock itself to the west of the trailhead. You will not be riding all the way to the top of Castle Rock, since that requires scrambling, but the OHV routes around it are excellent. Click the map to view more details or explore the full route north toward South Camp Peak, Duane Bliss Peak, and Highway 50.

Dirt Biking at Tahoe South East: Corral Trail 18E14 in South Lake Tahoe

The Corral Trail is another popular trail for riders at Lake Tahoe. It's a 1.4-mile, mostly intense, flow-style downhill trail. The trail was completely rebuilt between 2014-2017 to include berms, rollers, jumps, and log rides.

This unique trail is managed by the US Forest Service and Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association, who transformed the Lower Corral Trail in South Lake Tahoe from a straight, sandy motor route into a premier, sustainable, multi-use trail featuring over 30 engineered features. It is open to motorized dirt bikes, e-bikes, and hikers, with downhill-only traffic highly recommended for safety. More info: US Forest Service Corral Trail Page.

Visitors to our Tahoe Dirt Biking page really like this bike rack.

Rage Powersports Black Widow AMC-600-2 Aluminum Double Motorcycle Carrier

Dirt Biking in the Tahoe Basin: West Shore

The West Shore of the Lake Tahoe Basin is known for its steep terrain, deep forests, and protected watersheds. Because of this, most of the West Shore is managed for non-motorized recreation, and there are no major dirt bike trail systems within the Basin boundary on this side of the lake. Popular trails such as the Tahoe Rim Trail, Ellis Peak Trail, and the upper sections of Blackwood Canyon are designated for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use only.

However, riders do have access to a few motorized routes just outside the Basin. These areas are often considered "West Shore riding" because they sit immediately west of the Tahoe Basin rim and are reached from West Shore communities.

Blackwood Canyon

Blackwood Canyon, located between Tahoe City and Homewood, offers limited OHV access. The lower portion of Blackwood Canyon Road (Forest Road 03) is open to motorized travel and provides a scenic ride through the lower canyon. The upper canyon and the routes leading toward Ellis Peak are non-motorized, so riders should follow posted signs and stay on the designated motorized section of the road.

Rubicon OHV Route

The famous Rubicon Trail begins near Tahoma on the West Shore, but the portion inside the Tahoe Basin is primarily non-motorized. The true OHV section of the Rubicon Trail begins west of the Basin boundary, where riders can explore rugged granite terrain, forest roads, and the classic high-Sierra rock sections the trail is known for. This area is popular with 4x4s, but dirt bikes and dual-sport riders also use the route where allowed.

Barker Pass and Beyond

Barker Pass Road climbs from the West Shore toward the Sierra crest. The portion inside the Tahoe Basin is non-motorized, but once you cross the rim and drop into the Granite Chief area on the west side, you will find forest roads that are open to OHV use. These roads offer access to high ridges, meadows, and connecting routes that extend toward the west side of the Sierra.

Summary

While the West Shore of the Tahoe Basin itself does not offer true dirt bike trail systems, riders can find limited motorized access in nearby areas just outside the Basin boundary. For more extensive OHV riding, the east side of the lake - including Kingsbury Grade, Spooner Summit, and the Carson Range - remains the best choice for dirt biking at Lake Tahoe.

Great Tahoe Wear for Your Tahoe Adventures

Shop our Tahoe High Sierra store for Tahoe Wear: T-Shirts and other Tahoe branded favorites for your Off-Roading at Tahoe. Browse our handpicked selection of items for Lake Tahoe fans like you.

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More Guides for Dirt Riding at Lake Tahoe

We searched the Web for authoritative resources to help you find dirt riding adventures in the Lake Tahoe area, and the best links we found are in the chart below. When you go off-road around Tahoe, the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division statewide Off-Highway Adventure Guide is still one of your best resources. The guide has been updated in recent years, and the current version is on the top of our list.

More Online Resources for Dirt Riders at Tahoe

Want to double-check our directions or get more information before you head out? Visit the official Nevada Trail Finder Map for this and many other great trails you can ride.

Thanks for Visiting our Tahoe Dirt Bikers Page

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Tom and Mary Kay

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