Bassi Falls is a 109-foot waterfall in California’s Sierra Nevada, west of Lake Tahoe in El Dorado National Forest. A relatively short 1.2-mile trail with about 200 feet of elevation gain leads to the falls, giving hikers access to a substantial cascade without a long approach. Water descends over granite in several drops instead of one continuous plunge, creating a distinctive stepped appearance. The area at the base is known for multiple swimming holes. Visitors begin from a parking area near Union Valley Reservoir, reached by the unpaved Ice House Road, where a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for the drive.