Beaver Tail and Rise and Shine: A California 89 Bike Guide

Start with the place

Kings Beach is one of those North Shore stops where the lake, food, shops, and neighborhood trail access all sit close together. The town sits along State Highway 28, also called North Lake Boulevard, with streets that climb from the water into the forest.

This ride starts on that uphill side of Kings Beach near Cambridge Drive. You are close to town when you park, but once you start climbing away from the neighborhood, it feels like a proper little forest ride.

Before you roll

• Area: Kings Beach.
• Level: Moderate.
• Ride style: Short loop with trail links.
• Start: Forest Service lot at the end of Cambridge Drive.
• Best for: A quick North Lake spin with flow and turns.
• Bring: A saved map. This small trail area has many signed turns.

How the ride feels

Beaver Tail and Rise and Shine is the kind of North Lake ride that fits neatly into the rest of the day. You can ride in the morning, meet someone in Kings Beach after, and still feel like you got a good little trail lap in.

The loop mixes a dirt road climb with shaded singletrack, quick turns, and small lake views through the trees. The downhill points you back toward Tahoe, but keep your eyes on the trail. This area has plenty of signed turns, and it is easy to miss one if you are riding on autopilot.

Finding your way

Start from the Forest Service lot at the end of Cambridge Drive. Climb the dirt road from the parking area, then turn left to drop Beaver Tail.

At the bottom, turn right and climb Grist Mill to KB Whoop. When the singletrack ends, turn right on the dirt road. Climb to Rise and Shine, then finish with a left onto T-Bone.

Who this ride is for

This ride is a good step up from the bike path without turning into a full Tahoe mission. It works well for a group that can pause at each junction, check the map, and keep the ride moving.

Late summer dirt can get loose, so give yourself room to brake and keep speed friendly near blind turns.

Keep it local

Tuck the California 89 Bike Cards in the car before you head toward Kings Beach. They are made for this kind of ride: check the notes, pick the loop, and keep the day simple.

Stop by California 89 before or after for a hat, layer, or trail-day staple that can handle dirt first and town after.