Skunk Harbor is a secluded, beautiful little cove on the quiet eastern shore of Lake Tahoe, tucked into the forest between Carson City and Incline Village, Nevada. Reached only on foot, this hidden gem rewards hikers with a small sandy beach, crystal-clear turquoise water, and a piece of Tahoe history — all far from the crowds of the lake's busier shores.

The hike begins from a gated forest-service road off State Route 28 (the Tahoe East Shore highway) and descends a couple of scenic miles through the trees to the water, with a few nice viewpoints along the way; some connecting mountain-bike trails can shorten the distance but make for a steeper climb. At the bottom sits the quiet harbor and its sandy beach, alongside a historic 1920s stone house — a lakeside summer retreat — that gives the cove its distinctive character and a marker explaining its past. Dogs are welcome on the trail.

Because the trail drops down to the lake, remember that the return trip is all uphill — budget energy and water for the climb out. The water is famously clear but cold, so swimming is refreshing but brisk. There are no services at the beach, so bring everything you need, and pack out all trash to keep this pristine spot beautiful.

Summer and early fall are the best seasons, when the beach is inviting and the road access is open. Arrive early on warm weekends, as parking along SR-28 is limited. For a quieter, more scenic taste of Lake Tahoe, Skunk Harbor is well worth the walk.

Meandering along the scenic South Fork of the Snake River, the beautiful 1¼ mile Cress Creek Nature Trail will lead you on a journey through sagebrush-grass communities, over juniper covered slopes, and along a lush perennial creek. Cress Creek derives its name from the watercress plant, a favorite food of the moose that live in this area. With clear skies, prepare for an expansive view of the Snake River, volcanoes and farmland. The site offers ample parking, restrooms and trail accessibility, which attract a wide spectrum of trail users to the area. You will become familiar with life in the Cress Creek area as it is now and as it was long ago. If you hike quietly you may see deer, rabbits, small lizards, or possibly an eagle or a moose. The nature trail is self-guided with many beautiful interpretive signs posted along the way to assist you. The first half-mile of the trail is accessible by wheelchair.

On the northeastern corner of the trail, there's an overlook trail. Parts of it are pretty nice like the rest of the loop but some is barely recognizable as a trail. Parts of the trail are steep and parts of it go over some pretty loose rock. It goes for about a ½ mile all the way to the top of the hill. Just below the rim, there are several really cool caves. From the top, you can see from Rexburg to Idaho Falls.