Cascade Falls

Facility · Nevada ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Eldorado National Forest (NF) · Open Access

6,879 ft
Elevation

The trail starts at the Bayview Trailhead on the back side of Bayview Campground. The round-trip to the falls is not in Desolation Wilderness, so no permit is needed. The trail is public, but Cascade Lake itself is a private lake. The trail is approximately one-mile each way, for a total of a two-mile round-trip. The trail is easy and mostly level, but rocky. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended.

Getting there

38.94390, -120.09940 · 38°56'38.0"N 120°5'57.8"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in6.05.64.62.11.50.60.30.30.52.13.56.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Cascade Falls

Can you reserve a site at Cascade Falls?
No. Cascade Falls is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Cascade Falls

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.