For Every Season
A playground in every direction
On Foot
More than 100 hiking trails radiate from the Lake Tahoe basin, traversing every type of alpine terrain imaginable.
Epic Trek
The premier long-distance trail circles the entire lake over 165 miles, traversing both California and Nevada. Shorter sections make spectacular day hikes, while the full circuit takes backpackers 10–14 days. Stunning ridge views at every turn.
Alpine Summit
Rising 9,738 feet above sea level, the hike to Mount Tallac's summit rewards the effort with a breathtaking panorama of Lake Tahoe's entire glittering expanse. The 9.4-mile round trip gains over 3,200 feet of elevation.
Family Friendly
A gentler option that winds along the shores of Fallen Leaf Lake through cathedral forests of Jeffrey pine. The 4.8-mile trail is accessible to hikers of all fitness levels and rewards walkers with dramatic lake and mountain views.
On the Water
The lake's calm bays and open waters offer endless possibilities from Memorial Day through September.
Stand-up paddleboarding has become wildly popular on Tahoe's glassy morning waters. Rentals are available at numerous marinas, and the clarity allows you to watch the bottom far below as you glide along.
Paddle along the shoreline, exploring hidden coves and rocky inlets inaccessible by land. Full-day guided tours circumnavigate Emerald Bay, one of the most photographed spots in California.
Charter a sailboat, rent a motorboat, or join a sunset cruise aboard one of the lake's classic wooden tour vessels. The afternoon winds that funnel down the Sierra create ideal sailing conditions.
Two Wheels
Tahoe is one of North America's premier mountain biking destinations, offering trails from gentle paved paths to gnarly technical single-track. The sport is most popular in summer and fall when trails are dry and conditions are ideal.
The Flume Trail is considered one of the best mountain bike rides in the world — a narrow single-track trail cut into the sheer cliffside above the lake's eastern shore, offering dizzying views across the water. The 14-mile route is shuttle-accessible and manageable for intermediate riders.
For beginners or families, the paved East Shore Trail along Lake Tahoe's Nevada side offers a smooth, flat, 4.5-mile path ideal for cycling with children.
14 miles of clifftop single-track with panoramic lake views. Rated moderate to difficult. Shuttle service available from Incline Village.
4.5 miles of paved path along Nevada's pristine eastern shoreline. Ideal for families and casual cyclists.
A legendary 17-mile descent through old-growth forest north of Tahoe. One of California's bucket-list mountain bike rides.
More to Do
Lake trout, rainbow trout, and kokanee salmon draw anglers year-round. Ice fishing in winter is a unique local tradition.
Soar above the cobalt surface and see the full scope of the lake and surrounding peaks from 500 feet in the air.
The granite faces of Lover's Leap and Echo Summit offer classic Sierra Nevada climbing for all skill levels.
Dawn balloon flights over the lake and surrounding mountains create memories that last a lifetime.