The Little-Known Lake In Nevada You Can Only Reach By Hiking This 3.6-Mile Trail

Every Nevadan knows that to find real beauty, you must be willing to travel off the beaten path. Some of the state's most wondrous scenery is hiding at the end of a rugged hiking trail, like this beautiful alpine lake. Island Lake Trail brings you to a lake that is tucked away in the vast, remote Lamoille Canyon. However, it's just a short hike to this little-known lake, so challenge yourself to go a little out of your way to seek this place out! Chances are, after you hike to this secluded escape, it might become your new spot to fish, camp, or simply soak up the mountain views.

The Island Lake Trail is a gem of a trail hidden in the endlessly beautiful Lamoille Canyon. Surrounded by the Ruby Mountains and miles away from civilization, this short hike is bound to hit the spot when you feel like an adventure. The trail, one of the best Lamoille Canyon hikes, is just under two miles each way, making for a nearly 4-mile hike in total.

The trailhead can be found at the end of Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway, a 12-mile stretch of road that leads you into the heart of the Ruby Mountains. At a starting elevation of 8,800 feet, the views from the trail will immediately fill you with awe. Although the lake may be the final destination, this is the type of trail that will captivate your senses from the very start.

The trail gains about 900 feet in elevation in its entirety, traversing about 10 switchbacks up the mountain. The difficulty level of the trail varies somewhere between easy and moderate, making it ideal for most hikers, including beginners. Since the trail is listed as both kid and dog-friendly, you can bring the little ones and your furry pal (on leash) along for this outdoor adventure.

After about two miles, you'll finally be treated to the sight of Island Lake. It may be small, but its beauty is remarkable, as it's completely surrounded by rugged mountain scenery. Home to a small population of Brook trout, the lake is a nice site for fishing and camping. The lake feeds into Lamoille Creek, which tumbles down the mountains and through Lamoille Valley before joining the Humboldt River.

Perfect for a short day trip into the Ruby Mountains, you can complete the trail and be home in time for dinner. Of course, if you want to explore more of the area, you can camp overnight here. Bring your equipment, find a spot, and pitch a tent, but be sure you're at least 100 feet from the water's edge. The next day, you can hike to a few of the other scenic lakes in the area. Get ready to plan your journey into the Rubies!

You'll want to plan your trip around mid-June, after the snow melts away. Along the trails, there will be pretty little wildflowers that will add splashes of color to your hike. Spring and winter are pretty as well when the lake is frozen and covered in snow. The trail is open all year long, so you can plan your visit to enjoy each season.

If you want more time in nature, check out our list of the best hiking trails in Nevada. The hikes have something for all skill levels and include waterfall trails, scenic lakes, and mountain views. There's nothing better than exploring hidden gems in Nevada like this one. And you can visit the Travel Nevada page to discover more.