Burton Creek State Park
Explore 2,000 acres of undeveloped land with serene forest trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. Dog-friendly and rarely crowded.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Beat the midday heat
Burton Creek State Park
Best Time
Beat the midday heat
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore 2,000 acres of undeveloped land with serene forest trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. Dog-friendly and rarely crowded.
"A nice hike that had hardly any hikers on it. Great for bringing a dog, ample parking."
🐾 Dog-Friendly Adventures
Bring your furry friends! Burton Creek State Park is a great place for dog walks on its many trails.
🚗 Tricky Entrance Road
Don't be fooled by the single-lane gravel road; it leads to the park! Look for the State Park sign.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Antone Meadows Loop
Higher elevations
Discover serene meadows offering glimpses of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding landscape. A peaceful escape into nature.
Burton Creek Trail
Follows the creek
A tranquil path winding alongside Burton Creek, offering a refreshing natural experience. Ideal for a leisurely stroll.
Forest Trails
Throughout the park
Explore miles of quiet forest trails, perfect for hiking and dog-walking. Enjoy the towering pines and peaceful atmosphere.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Trails
Navigating the Entrance
Best Times
Insider Tips
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🐾 Dog-Friendly Adventures
Bring your furry friends! Burton Creek State Park is a great place for dog walks on its many trails.
🚗 Tricky Entrance Road
Don't be fooled by the single-lane gravel road; it leads to the park! Look for the State Park sign.
❄️ Winter Snowshoeing
Deep snow in winter requires snowshoes for exploring the trails.
🗺️ Trail Mix & Match
Combine different trails to create hikes of varying difficulty and length.
Tips
from all over the internet
🐾 Dog-Friendly Adventures
Bring your furry friends! Burton Creek State Park is a great place for dog walks on its many trails.
🚗 Tricky Entrance Road
Don't be fooled by the single-lane gravel road; it leads to the park! Look for the State Park sign.
❄️ Winter Snowshoeing
Deep snow in winter requires snowshoes for exploring the trails.
🗺️ Trail Mix & Match
Combine different trails to create hikes of varying difficulty and length.
☀️ Midday Shade Scarce
Sporadic shade means it can get warm during midday hikes in summer.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors appreciate Burton Creek State Park for its peaceful, uncrowded trails and dog-friendly atmosphere. It's a great spot for a quiet hike or a winter snowshoeing adventure, offering a natural escape with glimpses of Lake Tahoe. Some find the views less dramatic than other Tahoe locations, and midday shade can be scarce in summer.
"In summer, there are many trails that could be mixed and matched to create a desired difficulty. The trail I took followed Burton creek and eventually went around Antone Meadows. Small views of Lake Tahoe and surrounding area. Parking was free."
Steve
"Burton Creek State Park is a nice State Park to go hiking or mountain biking at. There is a mix of fire road and single track trails throughout the park. Nothin to exciting to see, but the small meadows in the higher elevations of the park are nice. Can easily see the whole park in 3 hours or less."
Brendan Kiely
"A nice hike that had hardly any hikers on it. Great for bringing a dog, ample parking, definitely pay attention to the directions on maps as it is one lane and looks like you're going onto private property. Whether you start from the left or the right side of the trail you go uphill for quite a ways, I wouldn't say one side is easier to go up than the other. Lots of great trees to look at and a viewpoint or two of the lake."
Corinna Finney
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The entrance is down a single-lane gravel road. It might look like private property, but keep an eye out for the small State Park sign.
Yes, there's ample parking in a gravel and dirt lot. It's usually not too crowded, even in mid-July.
Absolutely! Dogs are welcome on the trails, making it a great spot for a hike with your canine companion.
The park features a mix of fire roads and single-track trails. Some sections can involve a significant uphill climb.
Yes, in winter, the park is ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, though snow can get quite deep.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, parking at Burton Creek State Park is free.
There are no entrance fees to access Burton Creek State Park.
As an undeveloped park with trails, Burton Creek State Park is generally accessible during daylight hours. Specific hours for facilities like restrooms (if any) are not widely published.
Burton Creek State Park is primarily a natural space with trails and does not typically offer reservable picnic spots. It's first-come, first-served.
Yes, Burton Creek State Park is open year-round, offering different experiences for hiking in warmer months and cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in winter.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can create custom loops by mixing fire roads and single tracks. Trails following Burton Creek or leading to Antone Meadows are popular choices.
Yes, there are small viewpoints offering glimpses of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area from some of the higher elevation trails.
You can see the whole park in 3 hours or less, depending on the trails you choose to hike or bike.
It's generally not very crowded, especially compared to other Tahoe area parks. You'll often find quiet trails.
The park is ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing in the winter. It's also a great place for dog walks.
📸 📸 Photography
Look for scenic views of Lake Tahoe from higher trails, peaceful forest scenes with tall pines, and the open meadows of Antone Meadows.
Yes, especially during golden hour. The mix of forest, meadows, and distant lake views offers diverse landscape photography potential.
Early mornings and late afternoons offer softer light and fewer crowds, enhancing the photographic experience.
While not explicitly marked, higher elevations and the Antone Meadows area provide some of the best opportunities for capturing views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
While wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, the park's natural environment may offer opportunities to photograph birds or small mammals. Remember to maintain a safe distance.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While there aren't extensive playgrounds, the natural environment itself is the attraction. Kids can enjoy exploring the forest, following the creek, and discovering the open meadows. Pack plenty of water and snacks, especially for summer hikes, as shade can be limited during midday. The free parking and lack of entrance fees also make it a budget-friendly outing for families.
🐶 Dog Owners
The park offers a variety of terrain, from gentle forest paths to more challenging inclines, ensuring your dog gets a good workout. The relatively uncrowded nature of the park means your dog can often enjoy more freedom to explore without constant distractions. Remember to keep your dog on a leash where required and always clean up after them to help maintain the park's pristine condition.
🚶♀️ Hikers Seeking Solitude
The park's extensive trail system allows for exploration without feeling like you're on top of other hikers. You can easily spend hours here enjoying the peaceful forest, the gentle sounds of the creek, and the open meadows. It's the perfect spot for a contemplative hike or a relaxed nature walk where you can truly connect with the outdoors.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Trails of Burton Creek State Park
In the summer months, the trails provide a mix of sporadic shade, so be prepared for warmer conditions during midday. As the seasons change, Burton Creek transforms into a winter wonderland. The same trails become ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, though the snow can become quite deep, requiring appropriate gear.
While the park doesn't feature dramatic vistas at every turn, some of the higher elevation trails, such as those leading to Antone Meadows, offer lovely, albeit small, views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains.
Winter Activities: Skiing and Snowshoeing
Visitors should be prepared for potentially deep snow, especially in wooded areas and higher elevations. Snowshoes are highly recommended for navigating the trails comfortably and safely. For cross-country skiers, the varied terrain offers a good workout, with options to link different paths for longer excursions. The quiet solitude of the snow-covered forest provides a unique and peaceful atmosphere, making it a wonderful way to experience the park during the colder months.
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