Lake Tahoe in the summer is a dream destination for adventure seekers, nature lovers, families, and those looking to unwind by the stunning clear blue waters of the lake. Whether you’re into hiking, water sports, exploring cute mountain towns, or seeking thrilling adventures, Lake Tahoe has something for you.
I’ve spent a significant amount of time in Lake Tahoe in the summer, and I cannot get enough of the sheer joy I experience every time I’m in the area. Based on my experience, here’s a detailed guide to the best things to do on and off Lake Tahoe during the summer.
How do I get to North Lake Tahoe?
Visitors can reach Lake Tahoe in the summer by flying, driving, or taking public transportation.
By Air
The Reno-Tahoe International Airport is the closest major airport and is about an hour’s drive from Lake Tahoe. Alternatively, you can fly into Sacramento International Airport (a two-hour drive) or the San Francisco area airports, like San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland (approximately a 3.5-hour drive to North Lake Tahoe), and enjoy a scenic drive through the mountains to Lake Tahoe.
By Car
There are several different highways you can take to reach Lake Tahoe, such as Highway 395 to Highway 50 from the south or from Sacramento, Interstate 80 to Highway 89 or 267. From Reno, you can take the Interstate 80 or the 580.
By Public Transportation
Several shuttle services and public transport options are available from nearby cities like Reno and Sacramento. The Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) provides bus services around the Lake and to popular destinations.
Do I need a car in Lake Tahoe?
It is much easier to get around Lake Tahoe when you have a car. Even if you are staying lakeside, you may want to venture out to go for a hike, bike ride, or visit Truckee. It’s not so easy to do without a car.
Lake Tahoe Summer Activities
Popular activities in Lake Tahoe include scenic hikes, thrilling bike rides, horseback riding, cruising on the Lake, and rock climbing.
Hiking and Road Biking
Lake Tahoe offers visitors countless hiking and biking trails with breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Popular trails include Skyline Trail, Monkey Rock, Chickadee Ridge, Tahoe Rim Trail, Rubicon Trail, and Eagle Rock Trail.
A popular starting point for bike riding is the intersection of Highway 89 and the road to Truckee, where there are several trails, restaurants, and bars. We rented e-bikes from Willard’s and rode along the river (see above) before heading to Truckee.
Pro Tip: The portion of the bike ride to Truckee was along the highway, and cars were moving quickly beside us. If you are not comfortable in this situation, it is better to drive to Truckee.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
The crystal-clear, calm waters of Lake Tahoe are ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding. Rentals, including clear kayaks, are available at various locations around the lake, making it easy to explore the shoreline, remote beaches, and hidden coves. These are quintessential Lake Tahoe summer water activities.
Beaches and Swimming
Some of the best things to do in Lake Tahoe during the summer often revolve around its beautiful beaches. Kings Beach and Sand Harbor are popular spots for swimming, picnicking, and soaking up the sun. A summer in Lake Tahoe isn’t complete without wading into the refreshing water.
Lake Tahoe Summer Events
Enjoy seasonal summer events in the Lake Tahoe area, such as the Tahoe City Wine Walk, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, and the Valhalla Renaissance Faire.
Boat Charters in North Lake Tahoe
My favorite summer activity in Lake Tahoe is spending a day on the Lake in a boat. I have been lucky enough to spend time with friends on their boat and enjoyed every minute of it. I love feeling the warm summer sun on my face while the wind whips through my hair as we zip across the Lake.
With a boat on the Lake, you can pull up to restaurants and bars, anchor your boat and explore hiking trails, go water skiing, fishing, or swimming, or turn off the engine and relax in the middle of the Lake with no one around.
Lake Tahoe Boat Cruises
A scenic boat cruise is another way to enjoy a summer day in Lake Tahoe. Boat cruise options include daytime sightseeing cruises, sunset cruises, and even dinner cruises.
Go Big at the Truckee Bike Park
Biking enthusiasts flock to Truckee Bike Park, which offers trails and skill areas for all ages and levels. The extensive range of trails, pump tracks, multiple skill zones, dirt jumps, flow lines, dual slalom track, cross-country trail, slopestyle, events, and competitions make Truckee Bike Park an ideal spot for beginners and seasoned riders.
Private and group coaching is available, as is a summer camp for those ages 8-17.
Check Out the Northstar Bike Park
If you want to get out of the bike park and onto a trail, then head to the Mountain Bike Park at Northstar. Visitors can take the chair lift to explore over 100 miles of trails that vary in difficulty and terrain from beginner to expert trails. Enjoy the views while you feel your adrenaline pumping.
Similar to the Truckee Bike Park, at Northstar, you can take lessons, and there is a summer camp.
Go for a Walk By the Shoreline
My favorite walk along Lake Tahoe is the Tahoe East Shore Trail. It is a peaceful and scenic three-mile walking/biking path along the Lake Tahoe shoreline.
If you plan to spend more than twenty minutes on the trail, park in the public parking lot near Tunnel Creek Café. Once you park, head towards Tunnel Creek Café and continue walking along the paved path through the tunnel for a gorgeous view of the Lake.
Explore Truckee
Historic Truckee is a small old west mountain town that has been revitalized. The cute downtown is filled with unique shops and charming restaurants. Restaurants in Truckee run the gambit from classic American dishes to international cuisine, such as pizza and pasta menu items.
While visiting, I found many of the boutiques in Historic Truckee carry interesting local products and art you cannot find elsewhere. Once in Truckee, you can also try wine tasting or wander through some of the local art galleries.
Visit Tahoe City
Tahoe City offers a walkable downtown community where culture, natural beauty, and outdoor activities mix to provide visitors with a gorgeous mountain and lake backdrop for their activities. While in Tahoe City, you might enjoy beautiful beaches, a lakefront bike path, or exploring the Lake.
Tahoe City offers a full-service marina, a golf course at Tahoe City Golf Course, and endless hiking options.
Spend Time in the Water
Lake Tahoe is known for its calm waters, which are perfect for a variety of water sports, like jet skiing, wakeboarding, swimming, kayaking, and water skiing. The Lake offers endless fun in the sun. You can even go for a parasail ride.
Pro Tip: The wind tends to pick up in the afternoon. Wakeboarding and water skiing are best done earlier in the day.
Via Ferrata Climbing Adventure
Via Ferrata is a guided climbing adventure that allows beginner rock climbers to experience the thrill of rock climbing in a safer yet challenging course. You can choose from a two, three, or four-hour tour at Palisades Tahoe.
The 4-hour climb includes a 50-foot-long “Super Monkey Bridge,” where you use one cable for your feet and one cable for your hands. What’s excellent about Via Ferrata is that prior climbing experience is not necessary.
I did the Via Ferrata adventure in Mammoth Lakes in the summer, and it was a great experience. As a novice rock climber, knowing that you are clipped in gave me the boost of confidence I needed to tackle the course and the suspension bridge. If you are ever thinking about rock climbing, the Via Ferrata course is a terrific way to get your feet wet and see what it’s all about.
Rock Climbing
For those who are ready to test their skills in the wild, you can try rock climbing with a guide around Tahoe. The same company that runs Via Ferrata also offers rock climbing adventure tours.
Horseback Riding
Lake Tahoe stables offer guided trail rides for all ages. You can choose from pony rides for young children, sunset rides, and picnic rides. Your trail ride might take you through alpine meadows or along the lake shores.
Dirt Bike Riding
For an extra dose of adrenaline, try an electric dirt bike ride in the backcountry of South Lake Tahoe, which offers beautiful mountain scenery.
Scenic Drives
North Lake Tahoe is surrounded by some of the most picturesque landscapes in California. Take a scenic drive around the Lake, drive Billionaire’s Row, or venture further to Yosemite or Mammoth on the 395 for stunning views and memorable road trips.
Pro Tip: The scenic overlook on Mt. Rose Highway, a short drive from Incline Village toward Reno, offers stunning, unobstructed panoramic lake views.
Catch Live Music
Summer in Lake Tahoe is filled with live music events and festivals. From beachside concerts to mountain-top performances, you can enjoy a variety of musical genres in stunning outdoor settings at places like Commons Beach in Tahoe City or concerts at Northstar and Palisades Tahoe.
For a wilder night (wild being relative), head to the Crystal Bay Casino, just over the Nevada Stateline on Route 28 along the Lake. A night out at Crystal Bay Casino might include a steak and lobster dinner, followed by live music and testing your luck at the tables.
The dimly lit, smokey casino reminds me of the casinos on Freemont Street in Las Vegas. Where the smoke fills the air, and the dark casino may have seen better days. However, you’ll have a good time if you go with the right attitude.
Fishing in Lake Tahoe
The Lake Tahoe area offers excellent fishing opportunities for both novice and experienced anglers. The lakes and surrounding rivers are home to a variety of fish species, including trout, kokanee, and bass.
Avid freshwater anglers might enjoy a guided fishing trip, lake fishing (boat and kayak), fly fishing in nearby rivers, or shoreline fishing at Kings Beach.
Other popular fishing spots include Emerald Bay, Donner Lake, Truckee River, Lake Tahoe, and Zephyr Cove.
Pro Tip: A freshwater fishing license is required to fish in California and Nevada.
Stargazing
One of the benefits of a small mountain is the lack of light pollution. You can walk out your front door and see stars lighting the night sky. If you are anything like me, you know the basic constellations but don’t have a handle on most of them.
Thanks to the SkySafari app, the night sky reveals its hidden gems. You can learn about 120,000 stars, 222 star clusters, galaxies, and more than 200 asteroids, comets, and satellites for a small fee. The app shows whether you are looking at a star or a satellite.
You might even opt for a stargazing experience.
Stargazing is one of the easier things to do at night in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I can never get enough. Whether I am in Yosemite, Mammoth, or Sedona, I always take time to look up at the night sky to enjoy the view.”
Visit Emerald Bay’s Norwegian Castle & a Haunted Island
Vikingsholm is Lora Josephine Knight’s former summer home. She commissioned the Scandinavian castle because Emerald Bay reminded her of the fjords she had seen on her travels to Scandinavia.
Vikingsholm was completed in the fall of 1929 and is now part of the Harvey West Unit of the Emerald Bay State Park. The house is open for tours during the summer months.
While at Emerald Bay, you can also explore Fannette Island, a small island near Vikingsholm that is rumored to be haunted. Legend has it that Captain Dick carved a crypt out of the granite on Fannette Island and installed a coffin inside, where he planned to be buried. He then installed a small wooden chapel over the spot, planning to be buried in the coffin. Sadly, he is believed to have drowned in a storm on Lake Tahoe while rowing his boat to Emerald Bay, and although close, he never made it to his intended resting place.
Adventure at Heavenly, including an Alpine Coaster
Heavenly Mountain Resort offers outdoor summer fun such as hiking, ziplining, a Gondola, and an Alpine Coaster. This Alpine Coaster twists and turns down the mountain, offering incredible views of Lake Tahoe as you plunge downhill.
Watch the Sunset
Watching the sunset over North Lake Tahoe is a magical experience that should be on everyone’s summer bucket list. As the sun dips below the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the sky explodes with hues of orange and pink, reflecting off the lake’s crystal-clear waters. The serene and picturesque sunsets will leave you in awe and provide the perfect ending to a day of adventure.
Experience sunset on Lake Tahoe, at Sand Harbor, Kings Beach, or from a mountain peak.
Zipline and Ropes Adventure Course (Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park)
For a family-friendly adventure, head to Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park. The family-friendly adventure can have you soaring through the treetops on a zipline, conquering the ropes course, and testing your balance on the wobbly bridges.
Ride a Gondola or Ariel Tram
The Lake Tahoe area offers opportunities to take a gondola ride and experience epic Lake Tahoe views. In the summer, gondola and ariel tram rides are available at Heavenly Mountain Resort and Palisades Tahoe.
Rafting the Truckee River
Rafting on the Truckee River is a perfect summer activity for adventure seekers and nature lovers in Lake Tahoe. The Class I to Class III rapids are suitable for both beginners and intermediate paddlers. The rafting trips pass through scenic meadows, mountains, and small rapids.
Helicopter Tours & Glider Flights
For an unparalleled perspective of Lake Tahoe, take a helicopter tour that offers breathtaking aerial views of the region’s stunning landscapes. Fly above Lake Tahoe and the peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Helicopter tours provide a thrilling and luxurious experience, perfect for special occasions or simply to treat yourself to an unforgettable adventure.
Another option for adrenaline junkies is to ride in a glider plane as you soar above Lake Tahoe.
Pro Tip: Wear layers to avoid getting cold while in the air.
Thunderbird Lodge
Thunderbird Lodge, on Lake Tahoe’s east shore, is a famous historic estate once owned by eccentric millionaire George Whittell, Jr. The “Castle in the Sky,” completed in 1939, is a chateau in the Tudor Revival style.
The large property also houses a 55-foot John Hacker-designed Thunderbird, one of the world’s most famous wooden boats with dual aircraft engines.
The property also includes a 600-foot underground tunnel cut into the rock that connects the main lodge to an opium den, card house, and boathouse, which were designed to allow Whittell to access different parts of his property without being seen.
Thunderbird Lodge can only be visited on a guided tour, private event, kayak tour, or private boat cruise.
Have Lakeside Meal
In the summer months, lakeside dining is extremely popular in Lake Tahoe. Several restaurants allow boat-up dining, or you can reach them by land. For a fun afternoon, check out Gar Woods Grill & Pier, Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge, Chambers Landing, or The Boathouse.
What are things to know before I go?
- Weather: Summers are warm, but evenings can be chilly. Pack layers.
- Altitude: The high elevation can cause altitude sickness. By staying hydrated (think water, not alcohol), you can stave off headaches.
- Wildlife: Be aware of local wildlife and follow guidelines to avoid encounters, especially with bears.
- Parking: Arrive early to secure a parking spot at popular destinations because it can be challenging to find parking.
Lake Tahoe FAQs
What is Lake Tahoe Known For?
Lake Tahoe is known for its stunning natural beauty, outdoor recreational activities, and a laid-back mountain vibe. It’s a popular destination for both summer and winter vacations.
Is North or South Lake Tahoe Better?
Both North and South Lake Tahoe have their unique charms. North Lake Tahoe is known for its tranquil atmosphere and scenic beauty, while South Lake Tahoe offers more nightlife and entertainment options.
Is Lake Tahoe Worth Visiting in the Summer?
Absolutely! Lake Tahoe is a summer paradise with activities for everyone, from outdoor adventures to relaxing lakeside retreats. Its crystal-clear waters, stunning mountains, and vibrant communities make it a must-visit destination.
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Are there any activities you suggest that are not on this list of the best summer things to do in Lake Tahoe? Leave a comment below and let us know what we should add to this list.
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Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite destinations in California! I have been to the south of the lake. There are so many interesting activities to do in the north of the lake. I would love to check out the bike parks and fishing too. 🙂
Lake Tahoe looks like such a beautiful place for a summer getaway! Hiking and kayaking the time away sounds like an absolute dream! I hope I get an opportunity to visit one day 🤞 thanks for the great guide!
I had only heard about Lake Tahoe in the Winter. This sounds like so much fun! When I go I want to do lakeside dinning!
I’ve always wanted to visit Lake Tahoe! It looks so beautiful, and there are so many fun things to do. Thanks for this helpful post 🙂
I LOVE Tahoe! I spent a ton of time there growing up, and I also work as a raft guide. It’s fun to see you mention rafting, I don’t see that too often. Thanks for this amazing guide to the best place on earth!!
Thank you! I am so happy we share a passion for Lake Tahoe.