Spooner Lake
Lake · 6,971 ft · Lake Tahoe corridor
Spooner Lake sits at 6971 feet in the Lake Tahoe corridor's eastern Sierra Nevada, sheltered by ridge terrain. A small alpine lake favoring calm mornings over blustery afternoons.
Wind funnels off the surrounding ridges by early afternoon, with gusts typical even on moderate-wind days. Morning stillness gives way to sustained 11 mph average winds by midday. Visit before 10 a.m. if you're paddling or fishing; the lake turns choppy and choppy predictably.
Over the last 30 days, Spooner Lake averaged an 11 mph wind with temperatures holding at 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Conditions have been stable but blustery; the lake saw a high of 30 mph wind and a low score of 5.0 over that span. The week ahead should track similarly, with afternoon wind remaining the dominant planning constraint.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Spooner Lake
Spooner Lake sits on the eastern slope of the Lake Tahoe basin at 6971 feet elevation, roughly 12 miles north of Highway 50 near Glenbrook, Nevada. Access is via Spooner Lake Road off US 395, a narrow, winding approach that closes seasonally under heavy snow. The drive from South Lake Tahoe takes 30 to 40 minutes; from Reno or Carson City, allow 45 to 60 minutes. The parking area is small and fills by mid-morning on weekends; arrive before 8 a.m. to secure a spot without circling.
Spring and early summer bring snowmelt runoff; the lake remains cold through mid-season, with average temperatures around 39 degrees Fahrenheit for the rolling 30-day window. Wind averages 11 mph year-round, but afternoon thermals intensify it regularly to 30 mph gusts. Late September and early October offer the calmest, clearest windows; temperatures warm into the low 50s, crowds thin after Labor Day, and morning stillness often persists into mid-morning. Winter access is unreliable due to snow and ice; November through March sees closure risk and avalanche-adjacent terrain in the surrounding ridges that borders this site. Crowding averages a 3.0 rating, making it far less trafficked than nearby Tahoe shoreline or Sand Harbor.
Spooner Lake suits hikers, fly-fishers, and photographers seeking solitude without committing to backcountry exposure. The lake is too small and shallow for motorized craft; paddlers and kayakers rely on hand-launched inflatables or lightweight packrafts. Local anglers target the small trout population early in the season. The surrounding ridges offer modest scrambling but expose walkers to sustained wind; plan for low visibility and exposed rock if afternoon conditions deteriorate. Parking scarcity and road closure risk during shoulder seasons mean flexibility is essential; have a backup location in mind (nearby Sand Harbor or Tahoe shoreline), and check Nevada road conditions before driving up 395.
Spooner Lake sits roughly 3 miles east of the main Tahoe basin and 6 miles south of Marlette Lake, another small alpine impoundment popular with hikers. The eastern shore of Lake Tahoe, including Sand Harbor and Zephyr Cove, offers more sheltered water and higher crowds. For a less-visited alpine lake experience at similar elevation, Marlette Lake requires a longer approach but delivers comparable solitude and slightly better afternoon wind sheltering due to basin geometry. Plan Spooner Lake visits around dead-calm forecasts or resign yourself to windy conditions; the site's charm lies in its remoteness, not its benign weather.