The Best Time to Visit Lake Tahoe

February 16, 2020
By foxintheforest

Last Updated on October 10, 2023 by foxintheforest

Lake Tahoe is a jaw-droppingly gorgeous, mega-alpine lake situated high in the Sierra Nevada mountains along the border of Nevada and Colorado. Tahoe is amazing year-round, the best time to visit Lake Tahoe largely depends on what you’re looking to do.

I’ve been coming to Lake Tahoe for nearly 20 years, as my family lives here. My brother grew up here after I went off to college, and I’ve spent countless amounts of time here. When I get asked when to visit Lake Tahoe, I definitely understand how to pick the very best month for your Tahoe adventure.

About this Guide to the Best Time to Visit Lake Tahoe

In this short-and-sweet post, we’ll dive right into when to visit Lake Tahoe. This guide will cover:

The best time to visit lake Tahoe depending on your activities
Lake Tahoe weather for each of the seasons
Visiting Lake Tahoe in the summer
Visiting Lake Tahoe in the winter
Lake Tahoe conditions in spring and fall
Additional planning resources for visiting Lake Tahoe

When to Visit Lake Tahoe?

If you’re planning a trip to Lake Tahoe, it’s important to visit at the right time of year for your planned activities. Mountain weather is often unpredictable, but in general, you’ll find that the best time to visit Lake Tahoe is when it’s either dry or snowy.

If you’re looking to enjoy warm weather and endless mountain sunshine, visit Lake Tahoe in the summer. Between June and September are the best times to visit Lake Tahoe for sun bunnies.

Do you seek that coveted powder? Looking to ski or snowboard? Then You’ll want to visit Lake Tahoe in December or any time until March.

For solitude seekers who still want warmer weather, late September is the best time to visit Lake Tahoe. It also happens to be my favorite time at the lake. Lake Tahoe in November isn’t bad either since it’s shoulder season.

Should I Visit Lake Tahoe in the Summer?

The weather in Lake Tahoe during the summer is typically warm and dry. Temperatures during the day range from 70 to 90 degrees and dip into the mid-40s to 50s at night.

Most of the snow has melted away, making it the ideal time for outdoor exploration. However, it’s also the busiest time to visit Lake Tahoe. Crowds are seemingly everywhere, traffic can pile up (since this is the season for road work), and lodging prices are at their highest.

However, you should visit Lake Tahoe in summer if you plan on:

Exploring Lake Tahoe’s best hikes
SUPing
Backpacking
Sunbathing
Boating (motor and human-powered)
Scenic driving
Beach going
Rock climbing

Visiting Lake Tahoe in the Winter

Winter is the best time to visit Lake Tahoe if you’re into the snow. There are plenty of things to do in Lake Tahoe over winter aside from simply go skiing. (hint: hit up one of Tahoe’s secret sledding spots!)

The chairlifts are spinning and the snow dumps over winter. From late December through March is the best time to visit Lake Tahoe for snowsports.

Over the holidays, prices are steep and the more popular areas (Heavenly, Squaw Valley, Northstar, and Mt Rose sledding area) are absolutely packed.

The winter is when to visit Lake Tahoe for:

Skiing/snowboarding
Backcountry skiing/snowboarding
Winter hiking and snowshoeing
Scenic driving
Ice skating
Snowmobiling

Spring in Lake Tahoe

Visiting Lake Tahoe in spring is generally hit or miss. The snow is starting to turn to slush with icy conditions in the morning, but the lake is still far too cold to take a dip.

The weather in Lake Tahoe during the spring is generally wet and sloppy. Temperatures hover in the low 50s through the upper 60s and dip below freezing at night.

The spring in Lake Tahoe is great if you aren’t picky about snow conditions and you want to take advantage of lodging deals. Here are a few favorite spring activities:

Scenic driving
Wintery hiking
Spring skiing and snowboarding
Spring backcountry skiing and riding

Visiting Lake Tahoe in Fall

Fall is arguably the best time to visit Lake Tahoe. It’s my favorite time to visit since the weather is still warm, it hasn’t started snowing too much, and the busy crowds of summer are long gone.

Late September through mid-October still sees warmer days suitable for swimming. Temps are in the mid-70s to low-60s and dip near freezing overnight. November and early December are cooler, but you can get away with hiking. During the day the highs are in the mid-40s to 50s and below freezing at night.

Visit Lake Tahoe in the fall for

Hiking
Boating
Swimming (some days)
Scenic driving
Rock climbing
SUPing (some days)
Fewer crowds

Additional Lake Tahoe Travel Resources

If you’re planning a visit to Lake Tahoe, you’ve got to check out these locally-curated resources:

Dreaming of visiting Lake Tahoe this year? Lake Tahoe looks amazing year round, but there are certain months in which you can make the most out of your visit to Lake Tahoe with stunning views and weather. Here is the best time to visit Lake Tahoe!

Meg Atteberry

Meg is a long-time Colorado local and outdoor industry professional. She's spent the last 15 years hiking, climbing, mountaineering, and canyoneering all over Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada in search of the best views. She's written for Outside Magazine, REI, Backpacker Magazine, and appeared on the Weather Channel.