Updated July 2026
Lower Eagle Falls
Lower Eagle Falls drops roughly 140 feet down granite cliffs into Emerald Bay just east of Highway 89 in Emerald Bay State Park. A short stairstep spur off the Rubicon Trail leads to a viewing platform at the base of the falls.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Emerald Bay State Park / Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lower Eagle Falls drops about 140 feet. That makes it the 128th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 82% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.
The Eagle Falls Trail reaches it about 1.9 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 430 feet of elevation gain, rated easy. The nearest town is South Lake Tahoe. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Emerald Bay State Park / Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit for closures and current conditions.
Late spring to early summer (snowmelt). Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More California waterfalls
- Alamere Falls · 40 ft
- Bassi Falls · 109 ft
- Berry Creek Falls · 70 ft
- Big Falls · 500 ft
- Bridalveil Fall · 617 ft
- Burney Falls · 129 ft
- Carlon Falls · 35 ft
- Cascade Falls · 200 ft
Sources
Get trip conditions by email
Lake grades, water temperature, and seasonal conditions as the data updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.