The Ultimate Guide To Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe, a gleaming lake surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is home to incredible scenic beauty!
Straddling the states of Nevada & California, Lake Tahoe is known for its natural beauty, shimmering beaches, several hiking trails, resorts, casinos, and winter recreational activities!
Tucked between the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is one of the largest alpine lakes and one of the deepest lakes in the US, known for its crystal clear water and gorgeous shoreline. Shaped and sculpted by volcanic activities and geological upheaval in the area and fed by rain and melting snow from the Sierra Nevada ranges, Lake Tahoe is a captivating slice of nature!
Lake Tahoe’s vast and gorgeous shoreline is home to several beaches, state parks, campgrounds, and hiking trails, offering access to Lake Tahoe’s glassy water. Summer in Lake Tahoe is the peak season for sightseeing, camping, hiking, boating, and other water sports and activities. The surrounding mountain ranges not only add to Lake Tahoe’s beauty, but the snow-capped mountains in winter make Lake Tahoe a popular ski destination in the US!
With several funfilled outdoor activities and water sports in summer and the host of several winter sports during colder months, Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination in the US!
The small charming towns along the shoreline of Lake Tahoe are home to some of the finest resorts in the US. The east shore of Lake Tahoe, one-third of Lake Tahoe that sits in the state of Nevada where gambling is permitted, is lined with several casino-resorts. These resorts and casinos offer several entertainment options, including live performances, vibrant nightlife, and great dining options, adding to the overall Lake Tahoe experience.
Here is my ultimate guide to Lake Tahoe, featuring essential planning information, attractions map, hiking trails, suggested itinerary, campgrounds, hotels, and restaurants in Lake Tahoe!
Getting To Lake Tahoe
The best way to get to Lake Tahoe is by flying into Reno-Tahoe International Airport, renting a car, and then driving to Lake Tahoe!
Lake Tahoe sits right on California and Nevada state border, with almost two-thirds of Lake Tahoe in California and one-third in Nevada. Besides the state border dividing Lake Tahoe into the east shore and the west shore, Lake Tahoe is often regarded as two distinct sections, the South Lake Tahoe and the North Lake Tahoe.
South Lake Tahoe is more lively and happening, bustling with several resorts, casinos, restaurants, gondola rides, and nightlife. Things are quieter in North Lake Tahoe, offering tranquil nature and wilderness. However, both South & North Lake Tahoe are equally charming, and I recommend visiting both sections on your trip to Lake Tahoe.
Airports Near Lake Tahoe: Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), Reno, Nevada, located about 35 miles from North Lake Tahoe and about 60 miles from South Lake Tahoe, is the closest international airport to Lake Tahoe. Sacramento International Airport (SMF), Sacramento, California, about 112 miles from South Lake Tahoe, is the second closest and convenient airport to Lake Tahoe. There’re a couple of other airports you could consider if you don’t mind driving a bit longer, including Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH), Mammoth Lakes, California, about 140 miles from South Lake Tahoe, and Oakland International Airport (OAK), Oakland, California, about 185 miles to South Lake Tahoe.
Train Services To Lake Tahoe: While there’re no direct train services to Lake Tahoe, you could take an Amtrak train to Truckee Amtrak Station in California, just about 15 miles to North Lake Tahoe, the closest Amtrak station to Lake Tahoe. There’re rental car companies nearby, from where you could rent a car and drive to Lake Tahoe.
Bus Services To Lake Tahoe: Like Amtrak, Greyhound also connects several US cities to Lake Tahoe, Truckee, California is the closest Greyhound stop to Lake Tahoe. From Truckee, you can rent a car and then drive to Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe Shuttle Services: If driving is not an option, you could use the two shuttle services offered in Lake Tahoe to get to Lake Tahoe from the Truckee train/bus stop and Reno airport and to get around in Lake Tahoe. The North Lake Tahoe Express serving the North region of Lake Tahoe and South Tahoe Airporter connecting South Lake Tahoe to Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
Things To Do In Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe Attractions Map
Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive, the road around Lake Tahoe hugging 72 miles of beautiful shoreline, offers breathtaking scenery and is lined with several beaches, state parks, museums, historic sites, hiking trails, resorts, and small charming coastal towns. The best way to soak up the vistas and experience Lake Tahoe is by driving along Lake Tahoe’s shoreline and stopping and exploring the several attractions along the Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive.
If you’re flying into Reno-Tahoe International Airport, located 35 miles from North Lake Tahoe, you could start your Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive from the North region driving towards South Lake Tahoe. You can go clockwise or anticlockwise along the shoreline, stopping at the vista points along the road. Once at South Lake Tahoe, I recommend spending a day or two exploring the several attractions in South Lake Tahoe before driving the other half of the Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive to North Lake Tahoe.
The best panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and Sierra Nevada Mountain ranges are atop the Heavenly Mountain Gondola’s observation deck!
Let it be winter or summer, you can ride the Heavenly Mountain Gondola to the observation deck, offering the best views of Lake Tahoe and the bordering Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Heavenly Mountain Gondola rides depart from Heavenly Village, South Lake Tahoe, making its way to the observation deck, a 2.4 miles uphill gondola ride from the base station. You can ride the climate-controlled gondolas throughout the year.
There’s more beyond the observation deck at Heavenly Mountain Gondola! The topmost station is the Tamarack Lodge, a rustic daytime lodge serving food and drinks, basically a basecamp on the mountain for skiers. The Tamarack Lodge also offers a chairlift to the top of the mountain, the Tamarack Express chairlift, where you can enjoy expansive views of Lake Tahoe and access several hiking and skiing trails.
State Parks In Lake Tahoe
There’re four state parks along the gorgeous shoreline of Lake Tahoe, three of which are on the west coast of Lake Tahoe, California, in South Lake Tahoe, and one large state park with multiple recreational areas on the east coast, Nevada, near North Lake Tahoe. These state parks offer beach access, hiking trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and several water sport opportunities.
Emerald Bay State Park: Most popular of all state parks in Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay State Park is known for its deep blue-green water and the most iconic views of Lake Tahoe with Fannette Island, the only island in Lake Tahoe. Located in southwest Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay State Park is also home to the Eagle Falls, Inspiration Point, a famous vista point overlooking the lake, Vikingsholm, a Scandinavian castle, a few hiking trails, and a couple of campgrounds.
- Highlights: Eagle Falls, Inspiration Point, Vikingsholm
- Hiking Trails: Vikingsholm Trail, Inspiration Point, Eagle Falls
- Campgrounds: Eagle Point Campground, Bayview Campground, Boat-in campground accessible only by boat
D.L. Bliss State Park: Located in southwest Lake Tahoe, named after the original owner Duane L. Bliss, D.L. Bliss State Park offers sweeping views of gleaming Lake Tahoe and access to glistening golden sandy beaches. D.L. Bliss State Park is home to two of the finest beaches in Lake Tahoe – Lester Beach and Calawee Cove, the Balancing Rock, a giant granite resting on a narrow base, and a few popular hiking trails in Lake Tahoe.
- Highlights: Lester Beach, Calawee Cove, Balancing Rock
- Hiking Trails: Balancing Rock Nature Trail, Rubicon Trail, Lighthouse Trail
- Campgrounds: D.L. Bliss State Park Campground
Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park: Home to some of Lake Tahoe’s most pristine areas, Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park offers lake access and wilderness. The park is also home to the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, a vacation home of the Hellman family who once owned the area. The park is a popular spot for hiking, swimming, fishing, and sunbathing and has several picnic areas and a campground.
- Highlights: Lake access, Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, Nature Center
- Hiking Trails: Dolder Nature Trail, Sugar Pine Point State Park Nature Trails, General Creek Trail
- Campgrounds: Sugar Pine Point State Park Campground
Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park: The only state park on the Nevada side, in North Lake Tahoe, the Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park is a large park with multiple recreation areas, including Sand Harbor, Cave Rock, and Spooner Lake.
- Sand Harbor: Located in northeast Lake Tahoe, Sand Harbor is known for its sandy beaches and coves and is a popular spot for swimming, scuba diving, and other water sport activities. The park has picnic areas and a couple of nature hiking trails, including Memorial Point Trail, Sand Point Nature Trail, but there’re no campgrounds in Sand Harbor.
- Cave Rock: Located on southeast Lake Tahoe, the Cave Rock area is home to remnants from early volcanic activities in the area. The Cave Rock area has a small beach, picnic areas, and it’s a popular place for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling in Lake Tahoe.
- Spooner Lake & Backcountry: The Spooner Lake & Backcountry is a widespread recreational area with several miles of hiking and biking trails. The Marlette Trail, Flume, and Tahoe Rim Trails are some of the area’s famous trails. The Spooner Lake region also offers picnic areas and several campgrounds and cabins.
There’re a few enthralling historic sites and museums along the lakeshore of Lake Tahoe. These museums and historic sites are a great way to learn about local history and the native Washoe people.
Vikingsholm: Located in South Lake Tahoe, in Emerald Bay, Vikingsholm is a Scandinavian-style mansion in a breathtaking setting. Often referred to as the Vikingsholm Castle, it was the summer home of Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, whose love towards Scandinavian architecture inspired her to build Vikingsholm. Today, seasonal guided tours are offered at Vikingsholm Castle, letting people explore the mansion from inside. The Vikingsholm Castle can be reached via a one-mile hike from Emerald Bay State Park.
Tallac Historic Site: Located in South Lake Tahoe, Tallac Historic Site is home to several years old and restored buildings that once used to be a grand resort in Lake Tahoe. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, Tallac Historic Site now offers self-guided and guided tours of its three estates – Baldwin, Pope, and Valhalla estates. Open during the summer months, Tallac Historic Site is an excellent way to learn about Lake Tahoe’s rich history and enjoy various events, concerts, and art and music festivals held during the summer months.
Gatekeeper’s Museum: Located in North Lake Tahoe, in the town of Tahoe City, Gatekeeper’s Museum is home to the reconstructed Gatekeeper’s Cabin and a beautiful concrete dam. The Gatekeeper’s Cabin was the home to the watermasters who operated the dam and controlled Lake Tahoe’s water levels. The dam and the exhibits in the museum are a great way to reflect upon the lives of the early pioneers in the region and learn about Lake Tahoe’s rich history.
Nevada State Museum: The Nevada State Museum is located in the city of Carson, Nevada, a few miles from Lake Tahoe’s shoreline. The museum features several exhibits pertaining to Nevada’s history, culture, geology, showcases the operation of an early US mint, and has a replica of a ghost town. If you’re a history buff and need a break from Lake Tahoe beaches, you could take a short trip to the Nevada State Museum.
Beaches In Lake Tahoe
Undoubtedly, one of the best things to do in Lake Tahoe is to soak up the sun in one of the many gorgeous beaches along the beautiful shoreline. The contrast of deep blue water against the golden sandy beaches make Lake Tahoe one of the most sorted after beach destination in the US! You must definitely visit some of the beaches on your trip to Lake Tahoe, and you don’t necessarily need to spend an entire day at the beach, and instead can make brief stops at the beaches as you drive along the Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive.
There’re several beaches in Lake Tahoe; some with hidden coves, some are lined with volcanic rocks, some beaches where the sand literally glitters, and some have bluer water than others. With so many options, it becomes overwhelming to select the best beach for your trip. Here’re my favorite beaches in Lake Tahoe, in the Southern and the Northern regions.
South Lake Tahoe Beaches
- Pope Beach: One of the most popular beaches on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, Pope Beach is a gorgeous golden sandy beach offering spectacular views of Lake Tahoe with a backdrop of Sierra Nevada Mountains lined with tall pine trees at the base. Pope Beach has a boat launch and is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, paddle boarding, and kayaking.
- Kiva Beach: Located close to Pope Beach in South Lake Tahoe, Kiva Beach is a long but narrow sandy beach with great views of Lake Tahoe with the Sierra Nevada ranges rising in the background and famous for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.
- Baldwin Beach: Near Kiva Beach is yet another famed beach of Lake Tahoe, the Baldwin Beach. Though the vistas here are pretty similar to that of Pope and Kiva Beach, Baldwin Beach is a hub of water activities with onsite gear rental companies.
- Lester Beach: Located in D.L. Bliss State Park in South Lake Tahoe, Lester Beach may not offer expansive views like other beaches, but it’s known for its crystal clear deep blue water and very popular for scuba diving and snorkeling.
- Zephyr Cove: Located on the east side of South Lake Tahoe adjacent to Zephyr Cove Resort, Zephyr Cove is a lively beach with many gear rental companies and concessioners offering several water sports and activities, including parasailing, water skis, tubes, wakeboards, Jet skis, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats. Zephyr Cove Resort & Marina is also the starting point of the paddlewheeler cruises of Lake Tahoe.
North Lake Tahoe Beaches
- Kings Beach: The most popular beach in North Lake Tahoe, Kings Beach, located in the town of Kings Beach, is popular for several water sports and activities, including parasailing, kayaking, jet-skiing, and boat rentals.
- Commons Beach: Located in the town of Tahoe City, Commons Beach offers a public park, a kid’s play area, picnic spots, and a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing.
- Hidden Beach: Located on North Lake Tahoe’s east side, Hidden Beach is literally hidden and easy to miss as it’s not visible unless you peak over the guardrails. Hidden Beach is small but beautiful, lined with giant boulders, a shoreline quite different from other beaches in the area.
- Secret Cove: One of the most pristine areas of Lake Tahoe, the water at Secret Cove is crystal clear, making it a popular spot for snorkeling. The cove can be reached via a short 0.5-mile hike starting from the Secret Harbor parking area.
- Sand Harbor Beach: One of the beloved beaches of North Lake Tahoe, the Sand Harbor Beach is part of the Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park and is known for its sandy beaches, coves, a couple of nature hiking trails and is a popular spot for swimming, scuba diving, and other water sport activities.
There’re several hiking trails in the surrounding wilderness and mountain ranges of Lake Tahoe. Some of the hiking trails are along the shoreline leading to vista points offering gorgeous views of Lake Tahoe, and others are along the Sierra Nevada Mountain ranges leading to inland lakes, waterfalls, and tranquil nature.
I have organized the hiking trails in Lake Tahoe by their difficulty levels – Easy, Moderately Strenuous & Highly Strenuous. You will also find my recommendations on hiking trails based on the time you’re planning to spend in the area in my suggested itinerary for Lake Tahoe.
South Lake Tahoe
Cascade Falls Trail: The most popular and easiest of all mountain hikes in Lake Tahoe, Cascade Falls Trail is a short hike to the top of the Cascade Falls, with great views of Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe.
- Trailhead: Bayview Campground
- Distance: 2 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 1 – 2 Hours
Fallen Leaf Lake Trail: The Fallen Leaf Lake Trail is a short hike to Fallen Leaf Lake, a gorgeous inland lake with Mt. Tallac in the background.
- Trailhead: Fallen Leaf Campground
- Distance: 1.4 – 2.5 Miles Roundtrip / Customizable
- Time: 1 – 2 Hours
Vikingsholm Trail: The Vikingsholm Trail is a short but steep hike to the popular Vikingsholm Castle, a Scandinavian-style mansion, where you can take a castle tour before heading down to the parking lot.
- Trailhead: Vikingsholm Parking Lot
- Distance: 1.7 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 1 – 2 Hours
North Lake Tahoe
Eagle Rock Trail: The shortest of all hiking trails in North Lake Tahoe, the Eagle Rock Hike is a short walk to the Eagle Rock vista point that offers sweeping views of Lake Tahoe.
- Trailhead: Eagle Rock Trailhead, Homewood
- Distance: 0.7 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 30 – 40 Minutes
South Lake Tahoe
Rubicon Trail: One of the most popular shoreline hiking trails in Lake Tahoe, the Rubicon Trail traverses along Lake Tahoe’s shore from Eagle Point in Emerald Bay to Rubicon Point in D. L. Bliss State Park. The Rubicon Trail offers stunning views of Lake Tahoe but is a pretty long and tiring hike.
- Trailhead: Emerald Bay / D. L. Bliss State Park
- Distance: 6.9 Miles Oneway
- Time: 3 – 4 Hours
Eagle Lake Trail: The Eagle Lake Trail, starting from the Eagle Falls, is a short but steep hike to the glacier-carved Eagle Lake. This is one of the famous treks in South Lake Tahoe and is heavily trafficked.
- Trailhead: Eagle Falls
- Distance: 2 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 1 – 2 Hours
Emerald Point Trail: The Emerald Point Trail traverses along the Emerald Bay, offering stellar views of the lake leading to Emerald Point.
- Trailhead: Vikingsholm Parking Lot
- Distance: 4.4 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 3 – 4 Hours
North Lake Tahoe
Five Lakes Trail: The Five Lakes Trail is northwest Lake Tahoe leads to the secluded Five Lakes in the Granite Chief Wilderness Area, home to glacial carved gorgeous alpine lakes.
- Trailhead: Five Lakes Trailhead, Alpine Meadows Rd
- Distance: 5 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 3 – 4 Hours
Skunk Harbor Trail: Located on North Lake Tahoe’s east shore, the Skunk Harbor Trail leads to a hidden beach providing access to one of Lake Tahoe’s pristine regions with blue-green water and lined with giant granite boulders.
- Trailhead: Skunk Harbor Trailhead, Carson City
- Distance: 3 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 2 – 3 Hours
South Lake Tahoe
Granite Lake / Maggie’s Peak Trail: These are two sections of the same hiking trail, often hiked together. The hike’s first part is a 1.7 miles moderate oneway hike to Granite Lake, and the section part of the hike is a highly strenuous 0.4-mile oneway hike to Maggies Peaks South.
- Trailhead: Bayview Campground
- Distance: 10.6 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 5 – 6 Hours
Mt. Tallac Trail: This is the hike to Mt. Tallac’s summit, which undoubtedly offers some of the best views of Lake Tahoe and the surroundings, but it’s a highly strenuous hike and involves steep climbs through rocky terrains.
- Trailhead: Mt. Tallac Trailhead
- Distance: 4 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 2 – 3 Hours
North Lake Tahoe
Flume Trail: The Flume Trail in North Lake Tahoe near Incline Village is a popular mountain biking and hiking trail. The Flume Trail traverses steep granite towers overlooking Lake Tahoe is known for its stunning views but is a pretty strenuous hike.
- Trailhead: Flume Trailhead, Incline Village
- Distance: 20 Miles Roundtrip / Customizable
- Time: 9 – 10 Hours / Customizable
Lake Tahoe Scenic Boat Cruise
The Lake Tahoe Boat Cruise is one of the best ways to tour Lake Tahoe and the only way to get a closer view of Fannette Island, the only island of Lake Tahoe!
While there’re several ways to explore the inner waters of Lake Tahoe, including kayaking, private boat rentals, and jet ski rentals, but nothing like relaxing and soaking up the views of the gleaming lake onboard a well-narrated boat cruise. There’re several local companies offering various boat cruises of Lake Tahoe. However, my favorite is the M.S.Dixie II paddle wheeler day cruise departing from Zephyr Cove Resort & Marina in South Lake Tahoe.
The M.S.Dixie II paddle wheeler day cruise is a 2.5 hours cruise onboard the charming paddle wheeler vessel, departing Zephyr Cove located on the east side of South Lake Tahoe in Nevada. The M.S.Dixie II paddle wheeler is a large climate-controlled vessel with large windows, several decks, and an open terrace offering breathtaking views of the lake, the surrounding mountain ranges, cascading waterfalls, Fannette Island, and Vikingsholm Castle.
You can also purchase lunch onboard the M.S.Dixie II paddle wheeler day cruise or enjoy a gala dinner on the evening dinner cruise while enjoying the sunset. The M.S.Dixie II paddle wheeler cruises are operated by Zephyr Cove Resort and can be reserved online on the Zephyr Cove Resort website.
Come winter, Lake Tahoe turns into a winter wonderland and is a paradise for skiers, snowboarders, and other winter sports fanatics! With world-class ski trails and ski resorts, Lake Tahoe is a popular skiing destination in the US! Though you can’t hike or enjoy the beaches in the winter months, the view of Lake Tahoe surrounded by the snow-capped mountains is a sight to behold!
However, you don’t need to be a professional to ski or snowboard in Lake Tahoe, as there’re many beginners and family-friendly skiing trails and several other funfilled activities you could enjoy in Lake Tahoe during the winter months. The best way to enjoy winter sports in Lake Tahoe is by staying in one of its many ski resorts to gain easy access to the ski trail, chair lifts, and snow play areas.
Skiing / Snowboarding: Undoubtedly, these are the most popular winter activity in Lake Tahoe, drawing skiers and snowboarders from all around the globe. There’re several miles of skiing trail along the mountain ranges surrounding Lake Tahoe and many ski resorts that serve as basecamps and offers chairlifts and other amenities to skiers.
Snowshoeing: Snowshoeing has become another widespread winter activity in Lake Tahoe and is home to several snowshoeing trails, including Tahoe Meadows trail, Spooner Lake, Carson Pass, Mount Rose, Camp Richardson, Alpine Meadows, and Kirkwood.
Snowmobiling: Several local companies offer snowmobile rentals and tours in Lake Tahoe. The snowmobile tours are guided and led by a trained professional. If you’re renting, you’ll be provided with some training on operating the snowmobile and briefing about the backcountry trails. Here’re a few popular companies offering snowmobile rental and tours, Lake Tahoe Adventures and Tahoe Snowmobiles in South Lake Tahoe, Full Throttle Tahoe, Pacific Crest Snowcats in North Lake Tahoe.
Horse/Dog Sledding: This is quite a unique experience offered at Lake Tahoe, where you can ride horse or dog-drawn sleds through the wilderness in Lake Tahoe. These are some local companies that offer sleigh rides in Lake Tahoe – Sierra Adventures, Borges Sleigh, and Husky Express.
Ice Skating: You will find beautifully decorated skating rinks in all ski resorts and several other places in Lake Tahoe.
Snow Tubing: Snow Tubing is one of the most popular activities amongst kids and grownups alike! Snow Tubing is offered at several places, but a couple sites are very popular – Tube Town in Soda Springs Mountain Resort in North Lake Tahoe and Adventure Mountain Lake Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe.
Gondola Ride: Whether or not you’re planning to ski, you can ride the Heavenly Mountain Gondola to the observation deck for spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. The turquoise lake appears more prominent in the snow-covered land and mountain ranges.
Lake Tahoe Suggested Itineraries, Hotels & Restaurants
Lake Tahoe, the host of several vista points, beaches, hikes, museums, and other outdoor activities, is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts! Lake Tahoe is often viewed as two distinct regions, the North Lake Tahoe, the quieter side offering wilderness and tranquil nature, and the South Lake Tahoe, the livelier and happening side of Lake Tahoe.
However, I won’t pick one over the other and instead highly recommend visiting both North and South Lake Tahoe. While it’s possible to drive the Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive in one day, I recommend spending at least a couple of days in Lake Tahoe. I have organized my Lake Tahoe trip itinerary and my recommendations based on the number of days you plan to spend in the area.
1 Day Lake Tahoe Trip Itinerary: If you’re visiting Lake Tahoe just for a day, your best option is to stick to the Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive, making brief stops at popular vista points and beaches along the shoreline.
- Drive the Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive.
- Stop at popular vista points along the drive, including a few beaches, a couple of state parks, and, if time permits, one of Lake Tahoe’s museums.
2 Day Lake Tahoe Trip Itinerary: If you have two days in Lake Tahoe, which is the minimum I recommend, you could start your drive from North Lake Tahoe, leisurely explore all popular attractions on the west coast and stay overnight at South Lake Tahoe. Return to North Lake Tahoe the following day, stopping at all the vista points on Lake Tahoe’s east coast.
- Day 1 – Drive half of the Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive from North to South Lake Tahoe, stopping at all vista points along the west coast, and stay overnight at South Lake Tahoe.
- Day 2 – Start your day with the Heavenly Mountain Gondola ride and then drive the other half of Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive, from South to North Lake Tahoe, exploring Lake Tahoe’s east coast attractions.
3 Day Lake Tahoe Trip Itinerary: Same as the 2-day itinerary, plus a couple of hikes and the Lake Tahoe Scenic Boat Cruise.
- Day 1 – Drive half of the Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive from North to South Lake Tahoe, stopping at all vista points along the west coast, and stay overnight at South Lake Tahoe.
- Day 2 – Hike a couple of easy trails in South Lake Tahoe, and do the Lake Tahoe Scenic Boat Cruise.
- Day 3 – Start your day with the Heavenly Mountain Gondola ride and then drive the other half of Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive, from South to North Lake Tahoe, exploring Lake Tahoe’s east coast attractions.
4 Or More Days Lake Tahoe Trip Itinerary: Same as the 3-day itinerary, plus a few more moderate to strenuous hikes or visit a couple of museums and historical sites in Lake Tahoe.
- Day 1 – Drive half of the Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive from North to South Lake Tahoe, stopping at all vista points along the west coast, and stay overnight at South Lake Tahoe.
- Day 2 – Hike a couple of easy trails in South Lake Tahoe, and do the Lake Tahoe Scenic Boat Cruise.
- Day 4 – You can either hike a couple of moderate/strenuous hikes or spend the day visiting historical sites and museums in Lake Tahoe.
- Day 3 – Start your day with the Heavenly Mountain Gondola ride and then drive the other half of Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive, from South to North Lake Tahoe, exploring Lake Tahoe’s east coast attractions.
There’re a ton of places to stay and dine in Lake Tahoe! The choices slightly vary between the California and Nevada side, as on the Nevada side, you could stay in one of many casino resorts. The concentration of hotels and the resorts are slightly more on South Lake Tahoe, but that said, there’re still many great places to stay in North Lake Tahoe.
Hotels & Restaurants in North Lake Tahoe
Resorts & Hotels: There’re several great resorts and hotels in North Lake Tahoe that are not only great for the skiing season but provide luxurious accommodation and excellent service throughout the year. Here’re my top picks for resorts and hotels in North Lake Tahoe
- Northstar California Resort
- The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe
- Resort at Squaw Creek
- The Village at Squaw Valley Hotel
- Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino
Campgrounds: Though not the best option for the winter months, camping in North Lake Tahoe can be fun! Here are the most popular campgrounds on North Lake Tahoe
- Tahoe State Recreation Area Campground
- Silver Creek Campground
- Mount Rose Campground
- Meeks Bay Campground
- Kaspian Campground
- General Creek Campground in Sugar Pine State Park
Restaurants In North Lake Tahoe: Most of the resorts and hotels in North Lake Tahoe have great dining options, but if you’re want to try some of the local restaurants, here’re my top picks – Thai Kitchen for great Thai food, Lone Eagle Grille for American cuisine, Gar Woods Grill & Pier for great food with great views in Carnelian Bay, Las Panchitas for delicious Mexican fare.
Hotels & Restaurants in South Lake Tahoe
Resorts & Hotels: Undoubtedly, livelier than the North side, South Lake Tahoe is bustling with several lodging options including, resorts, hotels, lakeside cabins, and casino resorts. These are my top picks for resorts and hotels in South Lake Tahoe
- Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
- Marriott’s Timber Lodge
- Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel
- Edgewood Tahoe
- The Landing Resort & Spa
Campgrounds: If you’re a camper, you will love South Lake Tahoe as it’s home to several campgrounds, letting you stay close to the beautiful shoreline of Lake Tahoe.
- City of Lake Tahoe Campground
- Eagle Point Campground
- D. L. Bliss State Park Campground
- Camp Richardson Campground
- Sugar Pine Point Campground
- Zephyr Cove RV Park and Campground
- Fallen Leaf Lake Campground
Restaurants In South Lake Tahoe: The several dining choices in South Lake Tahoe can be overwhelming, but I do have a few favorites that I suggest trying out in South Lake Tahoe. Here’re my recommendations on restaurants in South Lake Tahoe – Dine onboard the M.S.Dixie II paddle wheeler cruise, Empanash for great Mexican Food, Cold Water Brewery and Grill for great ambiance and comfort food, The Naked Fish for Japanese fare, and My Thai Cuisine for some excellent Thai food.
Other Nevada Attractions & Related Posts
I hope you enjoyed reading the post, The Ultimate Guide To Lake Tahoe, and I hope this will help you plan your trip to Lake Tahoe. You can find other Nevada attractions in my Nevada Travel Guide.
Happy feeding your soul!
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