Attractions and Places To See around Kirkwood - Top 20

The Kirkwood area is rich in natural beauty. You can visit Silver Lake 🐟, a stunning alpine lake on Carson Pass Highway, perfect for anglers, hikers, and nature lovers. Another serene spot is Frog Lake, Woods Creek headwaters, located along the Pacific Crest Trail, offering a scenic break.

Yes, for those seeking a challenge, Round Top Summit offers a demanding climb with stellar views across surrounding peaks to Lake Tahoe. The last part involves a scramble up to two rocky peaks. Depending on snow and trail conditions, poles, an ax, and crampons may be needed early in the season.

At PCT Trailhead, Carson Pass, you'll find a seasonal information center and pit toilets at the parking area. For dining and refreshments, Kit Carson Lodge 🏇, located at Silver Lake, offers a restaurant, beer garden, and sometimes live music.

For easier walks, consider routes like Shealor Lake or The Potholes in Eldorado National Forest. You can also find easy loops such as the PCT Trailhead, Carson Pass loop from Kirkwood, or the Winnemucca Lake loop from Carson Pass. Explore more options in the guide to Easy hikes around Kirkwood.

From high points like Round Top Summit, you can enjoy expansive views across all surrounding peaks, including Lake Tahoe, Capels Lake, and on clear days, deep into the Sierra foothills in California and Nevada. Other natural monuments and lakes like Silver Lake 🐟 also offer picturesque vistas.

Yes, Kit Carson Lodge 🏇 at Silver Lake is noted as family-friendly, offering a place to relax and dine. The natural beauty of Silver Lake 🐟 itself is also suitable for families to enjoy boating, fishing, and exploring the surrounding countryside.

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) crosses Highway 88 at Carson Pass, which is its highest point in the area. The PCT Trailhead, Carson Pass is a key access point. The trail continues along the crest, passing serene spots like Frog Lake, Woods Creek headwaters, which offers a short spur trail to its shore for a scenic break.

After a day of exploring, Kit Carson Lodge 🏇, located on the northern shore of Silver Lake, is an excellent option. It functions as a high-end lodge with a restaurant and beer garden, often featuring Sunday live music, making it a great spot to relax.

Parking is available at the PCT Trailhead, Carson Pass. In winter and spring, trail access is maintained from a snopark that allows overnight parking/camping with a seasonal or day permit. There are several SNOparks along Highway 88 between Kirkwood Ski Resort and Lake Tahoe.

For more challenging hikes, consider the Round Top loop in Mokelumne Wilderness, or the Winnemucca Lake Trail – Round Top Lake Trail. Other options include Lake Margaret Trail and Thunder Mountain in Eldorado National Forest. You can find detailed information in the guide to Hiking around Kirkwood.

Silver Lake 🐟 is a stunning alpine lake on Carson Pass Highway (SR 88) with historical significance as part of the immigrant trails to California. It offers modern accommodations and amenities, making it popular for anglers, hikers, photographers, and nature lovers. A modern launch ramp also makes boating easy.

Carson Pass (Elevation 8,574 ft, 2,613 m) is one of the few ploughed, snow-free roads across the Sierra Nevada south of Lake Tahoe's Highway 50 during winter. This allows relatively easy access to areas like Winnemucca Lake for backcountry skiing and other snow sports. SNOpark permits are required for parking in designated areas.