The Winnie is just right for camping in Lake Tahoe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nLake Tahoe has no shortage of campgrounds, from rustic tent sites to fully equipped RV hookups. It\u2019s truly one of the best places to camp, because it has tons of hikes, a chill forest feel, and a gorgeous lake. What more could you ask for?<\/p>\n
36. Scuba Diving<\/h2>\n Scuba diving in Lake Tahoe is still a relatively unknown activity, probably because of the abundance of surface-level activities. However, there are also awesome diving opportunities due to the lake\u2019s surprising depths. It\u2019s actually the second deepest lake in the US! If you want to see the sunken barges and boats, check out Emerald Bay Maritime Heritage Trail.<\/p>\n
35. Steamboat or Ferry Ride across the Lake<\/h2>\n If you\u2019re a first-time visitor to Lake Tahoe, spending a few hours heading to the far side on a daytime cruise is an awesome way to see the lake\u2019s beautiful scenery, get acquainted with the area, and see as much as possible in a short amount of time. The Dixie II<\/em> is a great option.<\/p>\n34. Kayaking<\/h2>\n\n
Kayaks lined up along the sandy shore of South Lake Tahoe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nKayaking is one of the most popular ways to enjoy Lake Tahoe. Unlike SUP boarding, you can kayak with a friend by grabbing a two-seater. It\u2019s also a bit more leisurely than paddleboarding since you\u2019re sitting down. Overall, it\u2019s a laid-back way to venture around the lake.<\/p>\n
33. Parasailing<\/h2>\n By parasailing over the lake, you\u2019ll be able to enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe in a relaxing way. The panoramic views and floating feeling of parasailing are a thrill! There\u2019s no shortage of parasailing providers in Lake Tahoe, but Ski Run Boat Company comes highly recommended.<\/p>\n
32. Speedboat Beach<\/h2>\n If you want a great place to go kayaking, check out quiet Speedboat Beach. It has huge rocks along the shoreline that are interesting to explore from a kayak. It\u2019s on the California side of the state line in the middle of North Shore.<\/p>\n
31. Hidden Beach<\/h2>\n\n
The large rocks and Highway 28 hide this busy beach, which is near Sand Harbor. It\u2019s an ideal place to swim and sunbathe, so its popularity makes sense. Get there early for a good parking spot along the highway.<\/p>\n
30. Jet Skiing<\/h2>\n An exciting way to enjoy the lake in the summer is renting a jet ski at one of the many rental spots. It\u2019s a fun solo adventure, but it can also be enjoyed with a friend. Be careful while operating a jet ski, as they can go up to 70 miles per hour! Also, they should only be driven in open areas, away from swimming spots where there are people in the water.<\/p>\n
29. Bonsai Rock<\/h2>\n\n
Sunrise at Bonsai Rock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nBonsai Rock is an enormous boulder with four lovely bonsai trees growing out of it. You\u2019ll find it on the Nevada side of the lake, halfway between Hidden Beach and Sand Harbor. It\u2019s a great spot for photos, especially at sunset or sunrise!<\/p>\n
28. D.L. Bliss State Park<\/h2>\n D.L. Bliss State Park, on the lake\u2019s western shore and spanning 750 acres, is easily one of Lake Tahoe\u2019s most popular destinations, because it\u2019s close to so many attractions and has an adjacent campground. You\u2019ll find Lighthouse Trail here, a 2.3-mile loop to a 1916 lighthouse. Other famous places include Rubicon Point on the north end of the park and Balancing Rock Nature Trail.<\/p>\n
27. Rubicon Trail<\/h2>\n\n
While you visit D.L. Bliss State Park or Emerald Bay State Park, check out the Rubicon Trail out-and-back hike. It\u2019s 4.5 miles long and goes between Vikingsholm Estate and D.L. Bliss. You can do the hike in either direction, and there is a 2-mile optional extension past Vikingsholm.<\/p>\n
26. Cave Rock<\/h2>\n You can see Cave Rock on Lake Tahoe\u2019s southeastern shore from practically any location on the lake. It\u2019s also known as \u201cThe Lady of the Lake,\u201d because it looks like the profile of a woman\u2019s face from a distance. It is part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and you can get there on a 15-minute hike. Note that the Washoe Native American tribe considers this rock to be sacred. <\/p>\n
25. Olympic Valley<\/h2>\n On the northwestern side of Lake Tahoe lies the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley. It\u2019s a sprawling, 4,000-acre property that has 34 ski lifts, 6 peaks, and an Olympic museum. You can take the Squaw Valley Aerial Tram up the mountain; the 10-minute ride runs 2,000 vertical feet upward and has some awesome views.<\/p>\n
24. Watching a Sunrise or Sunset<\/h2>\n\n
Colorful sunrises and sunsets are mirrored on the lake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nYou definitely don\u2019t want to miss a sunrise or sunset at Lake Tahoe. The glistening aquamarine waters are stunning during the day, but the sunrise or sunset creates an even more breathtaking scene as the light reflects off the perfectly smooth water. If you want to avoid crowds, a sunrise is your best bet, as sunsets tend to attract many more viewers. Get up early and head to any east-facing viewpoint to see the brilliant colors!<\/p>\n
23. Train Tracks into the Water<\/h2>\n Years ago, train tracks were built on the shore of Lake Tahoe to launch boats into the water. Nowadays, the spooky tracks raise some eyebrows \u2014 why would a train run into a lake, right? The tracks are at Sugar Pine Point State Park and make for a neat photo!<\/p>\n
22. Bayview Trail<\/h2>\n For a great view of Emerald Bay and the rest of the lake, head to the challenging Bayview Trail. It\u2019s a steep one and goes uphill most of the way, taking two to three hours to get to the top at Maggie\u2019s Peaks. A permit is required to access the trailhead.<\/p>\n
21. Cascade Falls<\/h2>\n\n
Falls is a loose term, but it\u2019s cool to see!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nAt the end of a moderately challenging hour-long hike in the southwestern region of Lake Tahoe near Emerald Bay, you\u2019ll find massive Cascade Falls. It\u2019s 200 feet tall, and the trail leading to it has some killer views of Cascade Lake.<\/p>\n
20. Stand-Up Paddleboarding<\/h2>\n So, you tried kayaking and you want to explore the lake with a bit of a tougher workout. Try SUP boarding! It\u2019s a fun and active way to take in the beauty of Lake Tahoe. Rental facilities are abundant along the lake. If you\u2019re a first-timer, check out this tour,\u00a0which is perfect for beginners.<\/p>\n
19. Carnelian Bay<\/h2>\n Carnelian Bay on the western side of North Lake gets its name from the red and yellow stones dotting its shore. If you want to check out the town, be prepared to see lots of kayakers, SUP boarders, trout fishermen, and adorable dogs everywhere.<\/p>\n
18. Eagle Lake Trail<\/h2>\n\n
A breathtaking view over the lake from Eagle Falls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThis moderate two-mile round-trip hike is right off Highway 89, and the scenery is incredible. Expect crystal-clear waters at Eagle Lake and Eagle Falls, with a backdrop of vibrant green foliage. There are a bunch of hiking trails that you can explore from Eagle Lake Trail (near Emerald Bay), which vary in difficulty. <\/p>\n
17. Ski Run Marina Village<\/h2>\n The Ski Run Marina in South Lake is a crowd favorite for both locals and tourists and has been around since 1939. It has a beach next to it where you can enjoy the lakefront before popping over to the village for a bite to eat at one of its restaurants or for some live entertainment. Here you\u2019ll find Riva Grill, which is easily the most popular restaurant in Lake Tahoe.<\/p>\n
16. Heavenly\u2019s Lakeview Lodge<\/h2>\n One of the best views of the lake can be found at\u00a0Heavenly Resort\u2019s Lakeview Lodge, which sits 2,000 feet above the water\u2019s surface. You can get there via a short tram ride up the mountain. The lodge has great dining options, as well as an outdoor deck and a massive bar with 97 beers on tap.<\/p>\n
15. Tahoe Tastings Boat Wine Tasting<\/h2>\n Imagine cruising around on Lake Tahoe in a 1953 Venetian water taxi with a glass of South Lake\u2019s finest wine from
14. Glen Alpine Falls<\/h2>\n On the southern side of Lake Tahoe, you\u2019ll find Glen Alpine Falls, a 65-foot tiered waterfall that is right along the roadside. Early summertime is a great time to see it at its best, while the water levels are still high from the spring snowmelt.<\/p>\n
13. Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park<\/h2>\n An afternoon spent at one of the three\u00a0Tahoe Treetop Adventure Parks\u00a0is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. There are 10 treetop adventure courses at each park, all with different levels of difficulty. There are 97 tree platforms, 27 zip lines (from 30 to 200 feet), and 60 other obstacles. Don\u2019t miss out on this thrilling adventure on a summer afternoon!<\/p>\n
12. Shirley Canyon Trail<\/h2>\nHiking in Lake Tahoe is a great way to get out among the trees!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPassing waterfalls and granite rock formations, this half-day hike along Shirley Canyon Trail will take you to gorgeous Shirley Lake. It\u2019s a fairly difficult hike, taking three hours round trip; it\u2019s three miles to Shirley Lake and two more to the highest point of the trail. It\u2019s a 2,000-foot elevation gain on the way up, but the natural beauty all around makes it worth it.<\/p>\n
11. Ring Road<\/h2>\n This 72-mile drive takes around three hours with no stops, but you can make a full day of it by stopping at different places along the way. You\u2019ll find Kings Beach, Carnelian Bay, South Lake, Sand Harbor, and Emerald Bay all along this route. It\u2019s the perfect summer
10. Inspiration Point<\/h2>\n Inspiration Point is 600 feet above the lake, looking out over Emerald Bay, Fannette Island, Vikingsholm Estate, and beyond. It\u2019s a great place for an epic photo, because it is close to a few Emerald Bay hiking trails, including Cascade Falls and Bayview. Tack it onto your Emerald Bay itinerary!<\/p>\n
9. Downtown Truckee<\/h2>\n\n
Donner Lake in Truckee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nTruckee is a quaint mountain town with plenty of different things to do. It\u2019s about a half hour northwest of North Shore and has lots of places to eat, boutique shops, and art galleries. Donner Lake is also in Truckee, which makes the town a local favorite. Looking to satisfy your sweet tooth? The ice cream at the
8. Meeks Bay<\/h2>\n At the mouth of Meeks Creek on the western side of the lake lies Meeks Bay. This area has a resort, a campground, bike paths, and both public and private resort beaches. You\u2019ll find family-friendly camping and long stretches of soft sand here, with shallow waters perfect for swimming.<\/p>\n
7. Pope Beach<\/h2>\n This three-quarter-mile-long sandy beach is three miles west of South Lake on Highway 89, on national forest land. Pope Beach is famous for its shallow waters and beautiful scenery, and has plenty of shady trees to picnic under.<\/p>\n
6. Hot-Air Balloon Ride<\/h2>\n\n
A hot-air balloon on the surface of the lake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nIf you\u2019ve ever thought about going on a hot-air balloon ride, Lake Tahoe is one of the absolute best places to do it. They reach elevations of up to 10,000 feet above sea level, but can also go down to just a few feet above the water\u2019s surface. Some of them actually touch down onto the water! The
5. Zephyr Cove<\/h2>\n Popular Zephyr Cove, on the southeastern part of the lake (on the Nevada side), has beaches, a marina, a variety of restaurants, and camping. It\u2019s a great launching pad for a bunch of summer activities.<\/p>\n
4. Moraine Trail<\/h2>\n Running to the dam at Fallen Leaf Lake, this easy trail is only about two miles round-trip and takes about an hour and a half to complete. You\u2019ll find some killer views of Cathedral Peak and Mount Tallac along the way. Summer is just the right time to hike this trail, because the water at Fallen Leaf is warm and perfect for swimming and fishing.<\/p>\n
3. Pacific Crest Trail<\/h2>\n\n
Mind-blowing Lake Aloha<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe 3,000-mile-long Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) runs all the way through the western United States down to Mexico. Along the way, it passes through the Desolation Wilderness Region on the west side of Lake Tahoe. This section, between Tahoe and Mt. Whitney, is known as \u201cthe crown jewel of the PCT\u201d because of its varied topography: lakes, valleys, granite peaks, and forests. Hikers usually access this part of the PCT through Eagle Falls,
2. Wakeboarding and Waterskiing<\/h2>\n If you\u2019re an outdoor adventure enthusiast, consider trying wakeboarding and waterskiing when you visit Lake Tahoe. If you have a boat or can rent one, these activities are great to enjoy with friends. There are a variety of places around Tahoe to take lessons or rent equipment, since this is such a popular activity.<\/p>\n
1. South Lake Food and Drink Scene<\/h2>\n South Lake\u2019s food and drink scene is definitely not something you want to miss while visiting Lake Tahoe. The hustle and bustle of South Lake is exciting, and the delicious restaurants and neat breweries are abundant. Not sure where to start? Check out
Pin me for later:<\/p>\n
As you can see by now, Lake Tahoe has no shortage of incredible things to do in the summer. Whether you\u2019re heading out on a camping trip, staying a cozy Airbnb, or going for a more luxurious resort vibe, there is enough to keep you busy for your entire stay. In fact, I\u2019ll bet that you\u2019ll be returning time and time again to continue exploring the area. <\/p>\n
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