Monkey Rock Trailhead — Attraction in Incline Village-Crystal Bay

After having Monkey Rock on our bucket list for quite some time, we finally set out to experience this beautiful hike, and it certainly did not disappoint!

Parking: First things first, parking is free during the winter season, which is a great perk! However, the parking lot is quite limited, so I recommend arriving early to secure a spot.

Trail Options: There are two routes to reach Monkey Rock. We opted for the trail behind the café, which was a lovely start to our adventure. Alternatively, you can take the paved road that winds up towards the streets, which eventually leads you to an incline that marks your halfway point.

The Hike: As we approached the split in the trail, we made sure to take the left fork, which leads you on the steep ascent toward Monkey Rock. I consider myself to be in decent shape at 35, but let me tell you, that incline had me feeling the burn! If you’re hiking with older parents or grandparents, I highly recommend bringing walking sticks to help navigate the steep terrain.

The View: Once we reached the top, all the effort was worth it. The views were absolutely breathtaking, and the fresh air was invigorating. We spent some time soaking it all in and snapping photos to capture the moment. I would categorize the hike as mostly easy, aside from that challenging steep section at the end.

Final Thoughts: Overall, I highly recommend Monkey Rock for anyone looking for a rewarding hike with stunning vistas. Just be prepared for that steep climb! Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for a fun outing, this trail offers a beautiful experience. Don’t forget your camera and enjoy...

My wife and I did this hike recently. It is all uphill. The first 2/3 is pretty gradual but definitely uphill. The last 1/3 is a real uphill butt kicker. We hike a lot and we were both winded due to the steep incline and the altitude. Do not bring young children thinking they will be able to complete the hike or that you can carry them up the hill, unless you are a super athlete.

The monkey rock itself is cute but not really worth the effort just to see that. The boulder formation is natural but the facial features have been artificially carved to create the left side of the face. Not sure why it's called monkey rock when it clearly looks like a gorilla.

The view of the lake and the mountains in the distance is beautiful! If it wasn't for the fantastic view we would have been very disappointed that we took the time and expended the energy to hike up the hill. This is definitely one of the best high views of Lake Tahoe.

The parking situation is poor and very overpriced. I know Lake Tahoe is a very busy area but this is clearly designed just to collect a bunch of money from people at $6 per hour. I can park for less than that in downtown San Francisco and in some...

Amazing hike! The views are absolutely worth all the uphill walking. Our 7yr old was able to hike it. We stopped a lot to look at stuff and take breaks. It's dog friendly. Which is great because we like to take our girl with us. The Cafe at the start of the trail has an amazing Mocha and pb&j protein bar. All very well priced. The trail has dog poop bags and a little trash can at the start to trash it in. But please don't be lazy and leave them on the trail. At that point, why even pick the poop up? You're just leaving plastic wrapped poop in the forest.

Only complaint is people allowing their non friendly dogs be off leash. There was almost a dog fight between our dog and multiple others. The owners never tried to get their dogs. Never even moved from the spot they were sun tanning in. Another group with dogs, on leashes, came up and weren't happy about the off leash dogs either. I can understand if your dog is very well trained. These...