Secret's Out

Hiking from Chimney Beach to Secret Cove in Tahoe

The turquoise waters and pristine beauty of Secret Cove on the east shore of Lake Tahoe are like an ode to Tahoe’s iconic spirit. And while this lovely spot near Incline Village isn’t such a secret anymore, it’s quite a bit less crowded than its neighboring (and equally turquoise-tinged) oasis, Chimney Beach. Why? Well, Secret Cove is clothing optional … hey, some people have no secrets! A leisurely 2.5-mile (round-trip) hike lets you beach-hop to both, with multiple vantages and spots for stopping to take a dip or simply take in the lake-to-mountain scenery, as paddle boarders, kayakers, boaters, and snorkeling floaters celebrate summertime on Lake Tahoe.

From the parking lot, follow the trail signs for half a mile down to Chimney Beach, named for the obvious freestanding chimney that was once part of a lakefront cabin. This is a popular spot to spend the day or a few hours, lounging on the beach or taking a dip in the aquamarine water. From Chimney Beach, it’s one mile to Secret Cove. Head south along the shoreline, discovering smaller coves framed by boulders that sometimes allow for peaceful swim-hole time.

Rock outcroppings are abundant as you continue to Secret Cove (you’ll see an entrance sign). With lake levels at a record high, there’s less sandy beach than in previous years, but there are plenty of boulders to sit on to soak up some sunshine. You may even see a full moon, or three! Return to the parking lot by heading uphill about 0.25 mile from the entrance sign, until you get to the fire road. Turn left and it’s 0.75 mile back to the parking lot.

Park at the Secret Harbor parking lot off Hwy. 28. If you put Chimney Beach in your phone’s GPS, this is the parking lot it will take you to. On weekends the lot fills up by 10 a.m. There’s another parking lot 0.4 mile northeast on Hwy. 28 that also links to the trail, but most people park along the highway. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  2. Hike the Oursan Trail alongside Briones Reservoir in the East Bay

    Opt for Oursan

    Hike the trail less traveled in the East Bay's Briones Regional Park. The Oursan Trail is pure serenity on a wide hiking path skirting the northern shores of Briones Reservoir.

    View
  3. Most Peaceful Hike of All

    Is this the most peaceful one-hour hike in the Bay Area? It's got our vote! Lake Lagunitas is the smallest lake in a series of five found on the north side of Mount Tam, so it’s got that tiny but mighty charm. Do a 1.5-mile loop around the lake's shore-hugging trail.

    View
  4. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  2. Lace Up for Lacy

    Lacy Park in San Marino is a hidden gem that may very well be the most pristine green space in greater Los Angeles, and a concealed pair of nearby stairways makes it all the more appealing.

    View
  3. Hiker amid trees at Oak Glen Preserve in Yucaipa Southern California

    Apple of Your Eye

    That fall feeling is definitely in the air and on display at the Oak Glen Preserve. Apple orchards and colorful leaves are a bonus, as are the apple cider donuts and slushies you can enjoy post-hike.

    View
  4. Hike San Diego Volcan Mountain Wilderness

    Planet of the Oaks

    Let us count the number of oak tree species in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian: coast, scrub, canyon, black, and Engelmann. Five! The preserve’s Five Oaks Trail is a 3.2-mile hike that boasts all five.

    View