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Lake Tahoe is one of the oldest and deepest lakes in the world, but its sparkling blue waters and stunning mountain views are what make it such a great vacation destination!

Lake Tahoe is perfect for those who love the outdoors because it offers hiking, swimming, paddle boarding, and kayaking in the summer. In the winter, you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding. There really is something to enjoy in every season at Lake Tahoe. 

So, in this Lake Tahoe travel guide, we’ll dive into several fun things to do at the lake, where to stay, and what to bring to get the most out of your visit to this beautiful region.

Things to Do in Lake Tahoe

Emerald Bay State Park

If you want the most stunning views of Lake Tahoe, then Emerald Bay State Park is a must! You can see great views from the highway, just stop at one of the many pullouts along the road.

To get a closer look at the lake, you will need to stop at one of the many recreational areas to hike down to the lake.

Vikingsholm

Vikingsholm is one of the most popular hikes in the area. It’s a mile hike downhill to the lake and to the Vikingsholm’s house that is open for tours in the summer. The Vikingsholm house is well known for its unique Scandinavian architecture and is worth a visit. Beware that while the 1-mile hike down will be easy, the journey back to the top may be challenging.

Most people come to Vikingsholm to rent a kayak to paddle to Fannette Island which is the small island in the center of Emerald Bay.

Because this attraction is so popular, finding parking can be a real challenge and traffic can be bad.  We recommend coming early to find a parking spot and make sure not to park illegally because they do tow.

Kayak to Fannette Island

If you want to really experience the lake, why not experience it by kayak? You can rent a kayak from Vikingsholm and paddle to Fannette Island which sits in the middle of Emerald Bay. 

It only takes about 10 minutes to paddle there and you can have the rare experience of setting foot on this beautiful but isolated island. Kayaking is offered only during the summer months by Kayak Tahoe. Check their website here for more info about their hours and prices.

Take a hike

Lake Tahoe offers over 40 different hiking trails ranging from less than a mile to over 18 miles.

We parked at the Bayview Trailhead and took the Cascades Falls trail. We loved this hike as it has great views of Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe, and the double lake views were truly inspiring.  

The Cascade Falls however was just a tickle in August, and was not very exciting. The season really does matter if you want to see the waterfall full. Late spring and early summer is probably the best time to see Cascade Falls at its fullest.

For more information on all the different trails available check out the All Trails website here!

D.L. Bliss State Park

We really enjoyed the peace and quiet at D.L. Bliss State Park. The crystal clear water was stunning, but be warned the water is extremely cold! Nonetheless, we found the water refreshing and enjoyable to splash around in.

This park also has several great nature trails to choose from. It even has a campground if you would like to stay nearby the beautiful water. For up-to-date info on this park’s hours and fees please check out the D.L. Bliss website here!

Sand Harbor Beach

This beach is on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe and is great for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.  Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available on-site as well!  Plus, there is a boat launch area if you are thinking about bringing your boat.

We really enjoyed walking down their Memorial Point Trail which is a short, flat, half-mile boardwalk that has fantastic lake views and informative placards along the way so you can read about the lake’s history and ecology.  Reading these interesting signs and enjoying the view was our favorite part of Sand Harbor Beach. 

Check their website here for the latest hours and entry prices here!

Lake Tahoe Accommodations

If you are trying to figure out where to stay to visit Lake Tahoe, I highly recommend South Lake Tahoe. This charming small town is centrally located to all lake attractions and has a wide range of accommodations suitable for all budgets.  We stayed at a budget-friendly motel, but they also have many mid-range and high-end hotels available as well!

For camping, we recommend Emerald Bay State Park or D.L Bliss State Park. These parks have the best views and easy access to some great hikes.

What to Bring to Lake Tahoe

If you are coming to Lake Tahoe in the summer, you would want to bring all of your beach gear and hiking gear. For the beach, you should make sure to pack sunscreen, a beach towel, a bathing suit, a cooler for drinks and snacks, and your waterproof camera for capturing all those fun moments splashing in the water!

For hiking, make sure to pack athletic shoes, water bottles, and be sure to bring your lunch if you will be gone for multiple hours. Some lake essential items are listed below!

We really appreciate anytime you buy through our links as we get a small commission which supports our travels all at no extra charge to you! Hope these items make your journey easier!

Lake Tahoe Final Thoughts

We thought Lake Tahoe was stunning and should be a must on everyone’s travel list. Unfortunately, our trip to Lake Tahoe was cut short by the California wildfires. To see how bad the smoke got, check out our full video below!

Despite having to cut our time in Lake Tahoe short, we will definitely go back in a heartbeat. The stunning blue water should not be missed!

Want to see even more of California? Check out these sights as well!

• Yosemite National Park
• Sequoia National Park