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Genoa Peak and Indian Hills is a popular area for OHV and all kinds of recreational activities in warmer weather months. The eastern shore of the lake is less developed and offers weeping views of Lake Tahoe to the western and the Carson Valley to the east. This riding area has trails suitable for motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, and UTVs. The main trail is 9.3 miles in length and is perfect for a day trip.
The road can be accessed from the staging area on Genoa Park Road. If you continue north, the trails will continue into the South Camp Peak Trail system which mainly consist of old fire and service roads. Some roads in the Genoa Peak area terminate in private property. Be mindful of where you ride. There is a high recreational diversity at Genoa peak, including but not limited to hiking and biking. Be sure to check out the Tahoe Rim Trail and surrounding wilderness areas such as Desolation, Granite Chief, and Mt. Rose.
This popular and well-used riding area also offers amazing views of Lake Tahoe. Contrary to popular belief, the Lake Tahoe Basin was formed by systematic normal faulting and not by a collapsed volcano. This kind of faulting is seen all over Nevada and is characteristic of The Basin and Range geologic province. 2-million-year-old eruptions from extinct Mount Pluto
acted as a dam, trapped snow melt in the basin, and eventually created the lake we see today!
Subsequent formation of thick ice and glaciers in the Sierra Nevada during the Ice Age (820,000-13,000 years ago) gouged out the many beautiful bays and inlets of Lake Tahoe and created many of the glacial U-Shaped valleys that east side of the Sierras are known for.
To the Genoa Peak Trailhead, from Carson City/North:
1. Drive south on Highway 395 for 13 miles
2. Turn right onto NV-757/Muller lane and continue straight for 3.2 miles
3. Turn left onto NV-206 S/Foothill Rd for 3 miles (There is a Park & Ride here)
4. Turn right onto NV-207/Kingsbury Grade Road for 8.3 miles
5. Turn right North Benjamin Drive follow for approx. 1 mile and continue on road as it turns into Andria Drive
6. Continue onto Genoa Peak Rd, there will be a large, heavily used parking/staging area on your left.
Land Manager: US Forest Service Carson Ranger District
USFS Carson Ranger District
1536 S. Carson St.
Carson City, NV 89701
(775) 882-2766
USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
35 College Drive
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(530) 543-2600
Motor vehicles are permitted on designated trails only.
Always plan ahead and prepare for uncertainty. Travel with warm clothing, first aid, food, water and appropriate tools to fix a problem.
Traveling in groups is always a good idea, as well as informing someone of where you will be going.