Echo Chalet

I was lucky to get a couple chaletlees during the short season that Echo Chalet is open and loved every minute. We had 2 rooms that shared a deck. Each room had a queen bed and a kitchen with a counter, fridge and some shelves. Also a private bath with a shower. The rooms were spotless and well stocked with everything you need to cook. Stovetops (no ovens) and dishes and cookware. Beds are comfortable. Sitting on the deck is great and hiking is fantastic. Every staff person I encountered was friendly and helpful. Kathleen was a wonderful host and all the “kids” who work here were friendly and seemed more interested in the guests and being in nature than in their phones, which was awesome. ❤️❤️❤️ a real gem.

We really wanted to like this place, and it is in a great location with beautiful views, but the cabin/chalet is awful! First of all, you have to carry all your stuff along a narrow path to get to your cabin, parking is across the road, inconvenient! We did have to share a viewing deck with another guest because two cabins were built together and privacy is nil, you could hear everything from the other guest including phone calls, very annoying! The cabin itself was filthy, egg shells on the floor, countertops with food crumbs and a very greasy stove top, even the coffee maker hasn’t seen soap and water! The bed was overly soft and the pillows smelled like old spittle! The only thing that was pleasant was the view of the lake from the deck! Overall, it was crowded and noisy and overpriced! Never to return!

To be clear, the chalet only seems to be an access point to the beautiful trail. The water taxi and camp store staff are very friendly. Ride a water taxi to the far end of the lake and walk back or reverse it, or hike both ways, about 6 miles RT. We arrived by 9:30 and got the last parking spot. But people come and go so you should be able to find a spot.

Really nice place to roll into off the trail- tons of hikers hanging out, everyone was super nice. Store is well enough stocked that you could easily avoid going to south lake Tahoe. I sort of don't understand why they don't accept resupply boxes, and more specifically why they appear to send them the opposite direction down hwy 50 that any hiker would head, but overall positive experience.

Nice older cabins overlooking the lake. Great service. No a/c and only a mini fridge for storing perishables. No access via vehicle so all luggage or gear must be carried up a steep hillside. Very little parking, only one small dirt area on a hillside with large boulders. Best to have 4WD and be in good hiking shape to stay here.