Updated July 2026
Upper Eagle Falls
Upper Eagle Falls is a granite cascade above Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe, part of the broader Eagle Falls system that drops roughly 180 feet in tiers toward the bay. The trail crosses into Desolation Wilderness en route to Eagle Lake.
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 US Forest Service for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Upper Eagle Falls drops about 75 feet. That makes it the 306th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 56% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.
The Eagle Falls / Eagle Lake Trail reaches it about 1.9 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 430 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate. The nearest town is South Lake Tahoe. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with US Forest Service for closures and current conditions.
late spring to early summer. 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
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