Lam Watah Historic Hiking Trail at Rabe Meadows

Today, visitors and locals alike know South Lake Tahoe as a hub for exciting gaming and live entertainment, but the region was first occupied by the Washoe Indians who used these lush meadows and sandy beaches as a seasonal dwelling site. While the land was originally slated to be used for casino development, the Nature Conservancy was able to restore, preserve, and donate the land to the US Forest Service, making unbeatable hiking, cycling, snowshoeing and cross country skiing available year round.

Lam Watah, which loosely translates to “milling boulders by the stream” is a gorgeous pine-surrounded meadow with a small pond that later was owned by the Rabe Family. The Lam Watah Historic Hiking Trail begins in Stateline near the turnoff for Kingsbury Grade, with a 2-3 mile trail that leads through beautiful lush meadows along Burke Creek and eventually connects up with Nevada Beach & Campgrounds.

This beginner-level flat, packed sand and paved trail is dog friendly, and can be completed as an out and back experience, or a loop that extends to Nevada Beach Campground. Whether you decide to take the out and back route or embark on the full loop, you’ll find unbeatable views of Lake Tahoe, Mount Tallac, and world-renowned vistas the Eastern Sierra are known for. Free parking is available at the trailhead, though very limited with less than 20 parking spaces.