Thinking of heading to Lake Tahoe this summer? You’ve seen the photos of it all over social media, and the lake is calling you! After all, it is one of the best places in the USA to visit for its beauty and abundance of awesome things to do.
I moved here in 2018 and have been in love ever since. The Caribbean blue of the water is hard to beat. The following recommendations are my personal favorite things to do in Lake Tahoe during the summer, starting from South Lake and moving clockwise:
1. Emerald Bay
Emerald Bay is one of Lake Tahoe’s best sunrises and most iconic photography spots. In fact, it’s one of the most photographed spots in California! You’ll find Emerald Bay on the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe, with roadside pull-offs for the best shots. There’s hiking in the area down to DL Bliss State Park, and it’s home to the only islet in Lake Tahoe.
Vikingsholm Estate, a famous 38-room mansion, is close to Emerald Bay and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s open for touring and definitely worth a visit. Consider booking a cruise tour to get some stellar views of Emerald Bay.
2. Camping
Lake Tahoe has no shortage of campgrounds, from rustic tent sites to fully equipped RV hookups. It’s 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?
South Lake has most of the options, including:
- Camp Richardson
- D.L. Bliss State Park
- Emerald Bay State Park
- Fallen Leaf Campground
3. Mt. Tallac Hike
One of the most famous hikes in the area is Mt. Tallac, located in Desolation Wilderness. This steep and challenging hike has an overall 7,000-foot elevation change during the 10.4-mile round trip.
You can choose between a day hike or a several-day trip into Desolation Wilderness. If you want to take it slow and see one of the best sunrises in California (apart from Font’s Point in Anza Borrego, which wins in my book), you can camp overnight on Mt. Tallac, which requires a Desolation Wilderness backcountry permit and that you come fully prepared and leave no trace.
4. D.L. Bliss State Park
D.L. Bliss State Park, on the lake’s western shore and spanning 750 acres, is easily one of Lake Tahoe’s most popular destinations, because it’s close to so many attractions and has an adjacent campground. You’ll 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.
5. Rubicon Trail
While you visit D.L. Bliss State Park or Emerald Bay State Park, check out the Rubicon Trail. It’s 22 miles long and starts at Vikingsholm Estate. Though the whole thing is one gorgeous point to point, there’s no need to do the whole thing. You can always make it an out and back hike by turning back whenever you feel the time is right.
6. Kayaking
Kayaking 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’s also a bit more leisurely than paddleboarding since you’re sitting down. Overall, it’s a laid-back way to venture around the lake.
There are plenty of places to rent kayaks all along the lake including Camp Richardson, and most lakefront hotels, but if you’re looking for a guided tour or clear kayak, there are some options as well:
7. Wakeboarding and Waterskiing
If you’re 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, with South Lake being one of the most popular. Book it here.
8. Desolation Wilderness
The 2,650-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 “the crown jewel of the PCT” because of its varied topography: lakes, valleys, granite peaks, and forests.
There are many trails to choose from and routes to take and plan in Desolation Wilderness, but I’m partial to Lake Aloha‘s stunning beauty. It reminds me of Patagonia. Keep in mind that this is an off the grid, backpacking wilderness area, and you won’t find any camping services and must leave no trace. You MUST use a bear can in this area for your food (hanging will not work), and you’ll have to get a permit well ahead of time to do a multi-day hike. There are steep elevation gains to keep in mind as well, but if you’re the backpacking type, you’ll love Desolation.
9. Stargaze
Summer is a fantastic time to stargaze, as the Milky Way becomes visible in the Southwestern sky just after sunset. While the communities around the lake will be too bright to see the stars in all their glory, Desolation Wilderness provides an opportunity for dark skies and stunning star views.
Be sure to plan your trip during a new moon in order to take full advantage of dark skies.
10. Tahoe Rim Trail
If you’re ready to tackle an even bigger hiking challenge, the Tahoe Rim trail circles Lake Tahoe, passing through Desolation Valley and Carson Range.
It’s a 165-mile loop that you can walk, though some sections are also mountain bike friendly. find gorgeous vistas, lakes, peaks, meadows, and more on this trail. If you want to backpack, it’s possible to do the whole loop in one trip. However, the eight trailheads can be broken up into one-way section hikes between 12 and 33 miles in length.
I’ve personally done the 2-night section starting at Tahoe Meadows and the 3-night Desolation Wilderness section, and both are some of the most scenic parts of the trail.
11. Eagle Lake Trail
This 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.
12. Scenic Helicopter over Lake Tahoe
Although I did this in the winter in Lake Tahoe, which was also stunning, helicopter rides departing from the Lake Tahoe airport in South Lake run all year round. Summertime can be a busy time of year, but from up there, you’ve got the best seat in the house without the crowds.
13. Bayview Trail
For a great view of Emerald Bay and the rest of the lake, head to the challenging Bayview Trail. It’s a steep one and goes uphill most of the way, taking two to three hours to get to the top at Maggie’s Peaks. A permit is required to access the trailhead.
14. Tahoe Tastings Boat Wine Tasting
Imagine cruising around on Lake Tahoe in a 1953 Venetian water taxi with a glass of South Lake’s finest wine from Tahoe Tastings. It doesn’t get much more relaxing than that! This activity is perfect for a girls’ weekend getaway. Tahoe Tastings partners with popular wineries to give guests the best tastes of Northern California’s wine.
15. Glen Alpine Falls
On the southern side of Lake Tahoe, you’ll 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.
16. Cascade Falls
At the end of a moderately challenging hour-long hike in the southwestern region of Lake Tahoe near Emerald Bay, you’ll find massive Cascade Falls. It’s 200 feet tall, and the trail leading to it has some killer views of Cascade Lake.
17. Sailing Cruises
One of the best ways to ditch the crows on Lake Tahoe is to take a sailing cruise with others (most economical) or rent out an entire boat for your day at the lake. I love having access to a boat on Tahoe as it gives you the option to hang out away from people, and to access the stretches of beach that are less populated and harder to hike to.
18. Pope Beach
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.
19. Hot-Air Balloon Ride
If you’ve 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’s surface. Some of them actually touch down onto the water!
20. Speedboat Beach
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’s on the California side of the state line in the middle of North Shore.
22. Meeks Bay
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’ll find family-friendly camping and long stretches of soft sand here, with shallow waters perfect for swimming.
This is one of those areas of the lake that has that electric blue color to the water thanks to the sandy bottom. Be sure to get there in the early AM to snag a spot!
23. Carnelian Bay
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. Nearby, Tahoe City is a great place to rent Kayaks and spend the day paddling the lake in this somewhat lesser populated area.
24. Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park
An afternoon spent at one of the three Tahoe Treetop Adventure Parks is 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’t miss out on this thrilling adventure on a summer afternoon!
25. Olympic Valley
On the northwestern side of Lake Tahoe lies the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley (renamed Palisades). It’s a sprawling, 4,000-acre property that has 34 ski lifts, 6 peaks, and an Olympic museum. You can take the Palisades Aerial Tram up the mountain; the 10-minute ride runs 2,000 vertical feet upward and has some awesome views.
26. Kings Beach
Kings Beach, named for card shark Joe King, is on North Shore. It’s a huge stretch of sand that is perfect for sunbathing in the late morning to afternoon. The town of Kings Beach has a bunch of restaurants, shops, and street vendors close to the beach for easy access. There’s even a minigolf course close by!
Since this is one of the closer and more easily accessible parts of the lake to us, we’ve spent many summer days on this beach. It’s also a great spot to grab a Kayak rental! Check out some of our favorite places to stay in this area of Tahoe.
27. Hidden Beach
The large rocks and Highway 28 hide this busy beach, which is near Sand Harbor. It’s an ideal place to swim and sunbathe, so its popularity is understandable.
28. Sand Harbor
Sand Harbor is a great swimming spot, where you can also go boating, kayaking, and much more in the clear Lake Tahoe waters. To cruise along the east shore, you can rent an e-bike, which is a fun and relaxing way to take in the sights.
You’ll find plenty of barbecue grills, picnic tables, and shady trees in Sand Harbor, making it the ideal picnic spot. Summer is definitely high season, and Sand Harbor is one of Lake Tahoe’s most popular beaches thanks to the sand and gorgeous blue colors, so get there right at opening in the morning to secure your spot. Entrance is $10 for Nevada vehicles and $15 for everyone else. It’s also the home of the annual summer Shakespeare Festival, which happens from mid-July to mid-August.
29. Mountain Biking
Because of its numerous bike paths, dirt roads, single tracks, and bike parks, Lake Tahoe is a paradise for mountain bikers. The Flume Trail is one of the most popular rides and follows mountain ridges up above the lake for 14 miles.
Take advantage of nearby ski resorts’ lifts for an easy ride to a summit, which allows you to coast the trails down the mountainsides. Keep in mind, though, that some trails only allow bikers on either even or odd days. Please respect these rules to keep the peace and remember that walkers and horseback riders have the right of way.
30. Sand Harbor Overlook Hike
For a stunning view of the lake and surrounding mountains, don’t miss out on the Sand Harbor Overlook, which is a popular segment of the Tahoe Rim Trail.
This bird’s-eye view is impressive and allows you to see all of the lake’s shades of blue. This moderately difficult four-mile loop is great to do on a guided hike with a local park ranger.
31. Cave Rock
You can see Cave Rock on Lake Tahoe’s southeastern shore from practically any location on the lake. It’s also known as “The Lady of the Lake,” because it looks like the profile of a woman’s face from a distance. It is part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and you can get there on a 15-minute hike.
Since this is west facing, it’s a great spot for sunset. You can catch the trail from a small parking lot nearby. Note that the Washoe Native American tribe considers this rock to be sacred.
32. Bonsai Rock
Bonsai Rock is an enormous boulder with four lovely bonsai trees growing out of it. You’ll find it on the Nevada side of the lake, halfway between Hidden Beach and Sand Harbor. It’s a great spot for photos, especially at sunset or sunrise! You’ll need to hike a bit to it, and in the summer months, you may see people sitting on top or jumping off of it into the water.
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!
33. Steamboat or Ferry Ride across the Lake
If you’re 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’s beautiful scenery, get acquainted with the area, and see as much as possible in a short amount of time. The MS Dixie II is a great option departing out of Zephyr cove.
34. Stand-Up Paddleboarding Zephyr Cove
So, you tried kayaking and you want to explore the lake with a bit of a tougher workout. Try SUP boarding! It’s a fun and active way to take in the beauty of Lake Tahoe. Rental facilities are abundant along the lake. If you’re a first-timer, check out this tour, which is perfect for beginners.
35. Secret Cove
It’s certainly no secret anymore that Secret Cove and the surrounding beaches on Lake Tahoe’s east shore have some of the most beautiful water and beaches. This is my personal favorite part of the lake. If you are willing to hike for it, as it’s a steep hike down, Secret Cove and the surrounding beaches are a wonderful summer escape.
Word has gotten out about how great they are, so expect crowds. Like everything else, get there as early as possible as parking is along the roadside and it can be limited. The best colors for the water are about an hour after sunrise when the water is illuminated by the sun.
36. State Line
Gambling isn’t allowed in most of California, but it is in Nevada, so many visitors like to cross the state line in South Lake to take advantage of Nevada’s casino scene. Here you’ll find a strip of bustling hotel-casinos, including Harrah’s, Harveys, and the Hard Rock. Gambling isn’t everyone’s thing, but State Line still has some pretty cool luxury hotels, famous restaurants, and big events to check out.
37. Heavenly’s Lakeview Lodge
One of the best views of the lake can be found at Heavenly Resort’s Lakeview Lodge, which sits 2,000 feet above the water’s 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.
PS: here are more accommodation recommendations for Lake Tahoe!
38. Lake Tahoe Scenic Overlook
If you’re staying in Reno after a day at Sand Harbor, you’ll probably take the Mount Rose highway back down the mountain. On the way, don’t miss the Lake Tahoe overlook on your righthand side. It offers sweeping views of the lake from above without having to hike or expend any effort.
39. Hike Mount Rose
A local’s favorite, this hiking trail takes you past a small waterfall and finishes at the top of Mount Rose, one of the highest peaks in the area, with sweeping views of the lake and the city of Reno. It’s not as much of a lake view as Mt. Tallac mentioned above, but I love the different view it offers. Plus, it’s much closer to Reno if you’re staying in town.
The hike is about 12 miles and is stunning at sunset. Pack a headlamp if you’ll be hiking up or down in the dark.
40. Ring Road
Check out the entire lake in one go! 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’ll find Kings Beach, Carnelian Bay, South Lake, Sand Harbor, and Emerald Bay all along this route. It’s the perfect summer road trip and can be done at a leisurely pace.
Bonus: A Reno Summer Festival
Chances are good if you’re flying in to experience Tahoe, you’ll be passing through Reno. There’s so much going on in town all summer long, starting with the River Festival in June, BBQ Blues and Brews, Artown in July, Hot August nights, and so many more. If you’re in town in September, don’t miss the annual Balloon Races!
Summer is one of the loveliest times to enjoy the lake. The frigid water gets a bit more swimmable, the snow melts providing wonderful hiking opportunities, and it’s the warmest time of year. I hope you love it as much as I do!
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CJ says
Your blog, “45 Things to Do in Lake Tahoe in the Summer,” is a treasure trove of summer activity ideas in this beautiful destination. It promises to be a valuable resource for travelers looking to make the most of their summer vacation. Thanks for sharing these 45 fantastic things to do in Lake Tahoe! 🌞🏞️