HotHotels
The Landing Resort and Spa, Lake Tahoe

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Lake Tahoe

Updated 7 October 2026 · 16 things to do

Pictured: The Landing Resort and Spa

Lake Tahoe is absurdly blue. High in the Sierra Nevada, straddling the line between California and Nevada, it is the largest alpine lake in North America and one of the deepest in the country, with water so clear you can watch a pebble sink for what feels like minutes. Pine forest runs down to the shore and granite peaks stand all around, white with snow for much of the year.

It is two holidays in one. In winter Tahoe is among the great ski destinations of the American West, with a ring of resorts looking down on the water. In summer the same mountains turn to hiking and biking country, and the lake fills with kayaks, paddleboards and swimmers braver than you. Add casinos on the Nevada side and the choice of how to spend the evening is yours.

Don't miss

  1. 1Emerald Bay State Park
  2. 2Sand Harbor
  3. 3Heavenly Gondola
  4. 4Skiing and snowboarding
  5. 5The drive around the lake

The big sights

The views that sell the postcards.

  1. Emerald Bay State Park

    Nature

    Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe
    Photo: Eric Philbin, CC0

    The most photographed corner of the lake. Emerald Bay is a long, narrow inlet on the south-west shore, ringed by steep forested slopes, with a tiny rocky island in the middle topped by the ruin of a stone tea house. The road passes high above it, and the lookout gives a view that stops traffic.

    A steep path leads down to the shore and Vikingsholm, a 1920s mansion built in the style of a Scandinavian castle. The walk back up is the price you pay.

    Tip: The car parks are small and fill early in summer. Arrive first thing or come late in the afternoon.

  2. Heavenly Gondola

    Activity

    The Heavenly Gondola near Lake Tahoe
    Photo: Mx. Granger, CC0

    From the middle of South Lake Tahoe, a gondola glides up the mountain above the town. Partway up it stops at an observation deck where the entire lake is laid out below you, deep blue in its bowl of peaks, with the Nevada desert visible in the other direction. In winter it is the way to the ski slopes; in summer there are walks and activities at the top.

    Tip: Pick a clear day. The view is the whole point.

  3. The drive around the lake

    Activity

    A road circles the whole shore, some 72 miles of it, and driving the loop is one of the great scenic drives of the West. You pass beaches, forests, cliff-edge viewpoints, small towns and the state line twice. Allow a full day with stops at Emerald Bay, Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Sand Harbor.

    It is the best way to understand how different the busy south shore is from the quiet north and the wild east.

  4. Lake cruises

    Activity

    You have not really seen Tahoe until you have been out on it. Sightseeing boats, including an old-fashioned paddle-wheeler, sail from the south shore across the lake and into Emerald Bay, while sailing catamarans offer sunset trips with a drink in hand. It is a gentle way to take in the scale of the place, and good for all ages.

Beaches and time on the water

  1. Sand Harbor

    Beach

    Sand Harbor on the Nevada shore of Lake Tahoe
    Photo: Blake Everett Carroll, CC BY-SA 4.0

    On the Nevada shore, this is the beach that proves how clear the water is. Smooth granite boulders sit in shallow coves of bright turquoise, and you can see every stone on the bottom. There is soft sand for families, rocks to swim out to, and calm water that is perfect for kayaks and paddleboards.

    The lake is snow-melt, so even in August the first plunge will take your breath away.

    Tip: It is hugely popular and the car park fills very early on summer days. Go at opening time or use the shuttle.

  2. Kings Beach

    Beach

    Kings Beach State Recreation Area on Lake Tahoe
    Photo: U.S. Department of the Interior, CC BY-SA 2.0

    A long, sunny, south-facing sweep of sand on the north shore, with shallow water that warms up a little more than elsewhere. The small town behind it has cafés, ice-cream shops and places to hire a kayak or paddleboard. It is an easy, family-friendly day by the water without the bustle of the south shore.

  3. Pope Beach and Camp Richardson

    Beach

    Just west of South Lake Tahoe, a long ribbon of sand runs beneath tall pines, with mountain views across the water. Pope Beach is quiet and shady; nearby Camp Richardson has a marina, a beachside bar and bikes for hire. The Tallac Historic Site next door preserves the grand summer estates of wealthy families from a century ago.

  4. Kayaking and paddleboarding

    Activity

    Kayaks at Sand Harbor on Lake Tahoe
    Photo: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0

    Tahoe's clear water is best appreciated from just above it. On a calm morning the lake is like glass, and paddling over the boulders of the east shore feels like floating on air. Hire shops line the main beaches, and clear-bottomed kayak tours are popular at Sand Harbor and Emerald Bay.

    Tip: Paddle in the morning. The wind usually picks up in the afternoon and the water turns choppy.

In the mountains

  1. Skiing and snowboarding

    Activity

    More than a dozen ski resorts surround the lake. Heavenly rises straight from South Lake Tahoe, with runs in two states and views of the water all the way down. Palisades Tahoe, host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, is the choice for strong skiers, and Northstar, near Truckee, is polished and family-friendly.

    The Sierra Nevada gets heavy snowfall and plenty of sunshine, a combination that keeps people coming back.

    Tip: Winter storms can close mountain roads and you may need snow chains. Check conditions before driving.

  2. Hiking the Tahoe trails

    Nature

    Lake Tahoe seen from the Tahoe Rim Trail
    Photo: No machine-readable author provided. AT2663~commonswiki assumed (based on copyri, CC BY-SA 3.0

    When the snow melts, the trails open. The Tahoe Rim Trail runs all the way round the basin along the ridges, and you can walk short stretches of it for huge views. Near Emerald Bay, the Rubicon Trail hugs the shoreline between coves, and a short climb from the road leads to Eagle Falls and a small alpine lake.

    There is something for every level, from a flat lakeside stroll to a full day in the high country.

  3. Olympic Valley

    Nature

    The Funitel lift at Olympic Valley
    Photo: Eric Gunderson, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A broad mountain meadow ringed by granite peaks, a few miles from the north-west shore. This is the base of Palisades Tahoe, and the Olympic rings still stand at the entrance. In summer a cable car climbs to a high plateau with walking trails and far-reaching views, and the village at the bottom has restaurants and shops.

Towns and nightlife

  1. Truckee

    Neighbourhood

    An old railway and logging town north of the lake that has kept its Wild West looks. The main street is a row of wooden and brick buildings with covered pavements, now home to good restaurants, bars, outdoor shops and galleries. Just outside town, Donner Lake and its state park recall the grim story of the pioneers trapped here by snow in 1846.

  2. Tahoe City

    Neighbourhood

    North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City
    Photo: MyName (Finetooth), CC BY-SA 3.0

    The main town on the north-west shore, small and easy-going, at the point where the Truckee River flows out of the lake. There is a lakeside path, a marina, shops and restaurants with decks over the water. In summer, drifting gently down the river on a raft is a local tradition.

  3. The Stateline casinos

    Nightlife

    Looking across the state line to the casino hotels of Stateline, Nevada
    Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Step across the state line from South Lake Tahoe into Nevada and the forest gives way to a cluster of high-rise casino hotels. Inside are gaming floors, bars, restaurants, shows and big-name concerts, including an outdoor summer series. It is the liveliest nightlife on the lake, and a surreal sight after a day in the mountains.

Day trips

  1. Virginia City

    Day trip

    C Street in Virginia City, Nevada
    Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0

    In the hills of Nevada east of the lake, this was one of the richest towns in the West during the silver boom of the 1860s. Its main street survives remarkably intact, with wooden boardwalks, old saloons, a steam railway and mine tours. Mark Twain began his writing career on the local newspaper. It is touristy but great fun.

  2. Reno

    Day trip

    The Reno Arch
    Photo: Missvain, CC BY 4.0

    The nearest city, down in the Nevada desert, styles itself the biggest little city in the world. Beyond the casinos it has a riverside walk through the centre, a well-regarded art museum, a large car museum and a growing food and bar scene in the Midtown district. Many visitors fly into its airport on the way to the lake.

Where to stay in Lake Tahoe

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Lake Tahoe →

Getting around

A car is the practical way to explore, since the sights are spread all round the lake. Roads are slow in summer and holiday traffic, and in winter you should be prepared for snow. Within South Lake Tahoe you can walk between Heavenly Village, the gondola and the casinos, and ski shuttles serve the main resorts.

When to go

Summer brings warm, sunny days for beaches, boats and hiking, and is the busiest time. Winter is ski season, with the most reliable snow in the middle of it. Spring and autumn are quieter and can be lovely, though some trails and attractions may be closed by snow at either end.

Questions about visiting Lake Tahoe

What is Lake Tahoe best known for?
Its extraordinarily clear, deep-blue water, its mountain setting on the California and Nevada border, skiing in winter and beaches, boating and hiking in summer.
Is Lake Tahoe worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the most beautiful lakes in North America and works equally well for a ski holiday or a summer break outdoors. The scenery at Emerald Bay and Sand Harbor alone is worth the journey.
What is there to do in Lake Tahoe with kids?
Beach days at Sand Harbor and Kings Beach, a boat cruise, the Heavenly Gondola, rafting on the Truckee River and easy walks. In winter there are ski schools and sledging at the family-friendly resorts.
How many days do you need in Lake Tahoe?
Three or four days lets you drive around the lake, visit Emerald Bay and Sand Harbor and spend a day on the water or the trails. Ski trips usually run longer.
Can you swim in Lake Tahoe?
Yes, and many people do in summer, but the water is cold all year because the lake is deep and fed by melting snow. Shallow bays such as Kings Beach and Sand Harbor are the most comfortable.

More guides