Coyote Moon Golf Course near Lake Tahoe brings you up close with nature -- and nothing else

TRUCKEE, Calif. -- Coyote Moon Golf Course is located just northwest of Lake Tahoe in a mountain town that experienced a great deal of golf and residential growth in the past decade.

Coyote Moon is equally spectacular to the many new mountain golf courses but with one difference: There is no residential component attached to the golf course, which brings you up close with nature and nothing else on 250 heavily wooded and rolling acres.

The golf course, which was designed by former PGA Tour player Brad Bell, opened in 2000 and plays up to 7,177 yards from the championship tees. It features plenty of elevated greens, including on the par-5 12th hole, which plays up to a green that is surrounded by rock outcroppings. The 18th hole is nearly drivable, with a green sitting high above the fairway. The back nine meanders along Trout Creek, including the par-3 13th hole, which is a long shot from an elevated tee downhill to a green sitting behind it.