Explore Lake Tahoe

The Crown Jewel of the Sierra

A view of a beautiful rock in Lake Tahoe with snow-covered mountains behind it.
lake tahoe Itinerary
A view of the sun setting in Lake Tahoe with pine trees in the foreground and a fine layers of snow on the ground with Lake Tahoe in the background.
Sunrise at Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe between California and Nevada with snow covered Sierra Nevada Mountains

Discover Lake Tahoe

The Crown Jewel of the Sierra​

Explore Lake Tahoe like a local.

From the bustling high-rise casinos of South Lake to the tranquil western shoreline there’s a lot to unpack in Lake Tahoe.

World-renowned for incredible skiing and even more unbelievable jewel-colored waters, Lake Tahoe has long been a hot spot for stunning scenes and adventure.

Get the local’s scoop on how to make your Tahoe journey one to remember.

Must-See locales

Where to go in Lake Tahoe

The adventure starts here. Here’s a look at a few helpful home bases and how to choose your flavor of Lake Tahoe

Sunrise at Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe between California and Nevada with snow covered Sierra Nevada Mountains

01

South Lake Tahoe

The most popular spot to stay, you’ll have the conveniences of a city at your fingertips. You’ll also be close to a lot of the top attractions in Lake Tahoe.

Best for: Big hotel enthusiasts,  people coming from California, hikers, and those who like lively nightlife.

lake tahoe in december

02

Incline Village

This is posh Tahoe. The vibe here is more local, but it’s just as exclusive. However, if you stay here you’ll have access to private beaches, the most stunning shoreline, and it’s the closest to nearby Reno.

Best for: Luxury travelers, quiet vibe, great views.

The best Vail hikes Colorado has to offer

03

Tahoe City

The lively laid-back neighborhood of the North Shore, Tahoe City is a great spot to stay if you want a small mountain town vibe, but don’t want to sacrifice access to outdoor activities.

Best for: small-town vibes, boating, beaches, and skiing access.

The sun shining down on Lake Tahoe in November. The sun is setting behind the mountains and there are black rocks in the water in the foreground.

04

North vs South Lake

Don’t know where to start? Check out this guide on how to choose between North Lake and South Lake Tahoe. Written by a long-time local of nearly 25 years.

When to Visit Lake Tahoe

05

Lake Tahoe in Summer

Summer has a wide array of outdoor activities from mountain biking to lounging on the beach. Here’s a look at what’s on the menu during the summer months. 

A person in blue walking on a snow covered ground and through pine trees covered in snow with a view of the lake in the background.

06

Visit Tahoe in the Winter

There’s more to Lake Tahoe than just skiing. Check out this guide to incredible winter activities you don’t want to miss.

best hiking trails in lake tahoe

07

Top Tahoe Hikes

Stand on top of the world and uncover delicious scenery with this mega-list of incredible Tahoe hikes.

Lake tahoe beaches

Best time to visit Tahoe

It’s hard to go wrong when it comes to visiting Lake Tahoe. You should time your visit with your preferred activity. 

Love to swim? Late July is your time. Fall is the best for hiking, while January and February see the most snow.

With an average depth of 1,000 feet, lake Tahoe is one of the deepest alpine lakes in the country. That's where those deep blue hues come from.

Visit Lake Tahoe Like a Local

Traffic jams and tourist traps are abundant in the jewel of the Sierra. But you can stay one step ahead of the crowds with this breakdown on how to visit like a local.

weekend in lake tahoe
best views in Lake Tahoe

Visit Lake Tahoe Like a Local

lake tahoe travel itinerary

Traffic jams and tourist traps are abundant in the jewel of the Sierra. But you can stay one step ahead of the crowds with this breakdown on how to visit like a local.

With an average depth of 1,000 feet, lake Tahoe is one of the deepest alpine lakes in the country. That's where those deep blue hues come from.

Best time to visit Tahoe​

It’s hard to go wrong when it comes to visiting Lake Tahoe. You should time your visit with your preferred activity. 

Love to swim? Late July is your time. Fall is the best for hiking, while January and February see the most snow.

Unique Lake Tahoe Experiences

Lake Tahoe is home to so many beautiful vistas and fun-filled activities. Here’s a few hot spots you need to know about.

Unique Lake Tahoe Experiences

emerald bay hike lake tahoe

Emerald Bay

Arguably the most famous place in the Lake Tahoe Basin, Emerald Bay is a must-see. But here’s how to do it without the hordes of tour buses. 

cave rock south lake tahoe

Cave Rock

This casual roadside stop is not only an important Native American landmark, but it’s a killer viewpoint too.

best hikes in Lake Tahoe

Mt Rose

Stand on the tallest mountain on the Nevada side of Tahoe with this stunning hike. The views are worth the butt-busting gains!

Lake Tahoe has some of the most blazing mountain sun I’ve ever encountered. Be sure to pack plenty of water and wear sun protection to avoid sun stroke. Even as a mountain dweller, I find the air to dry out my skin. Lotion helps to fight that tortise skin feeling!

Beating the Crowds in Lake Tahoe

There's never been a sunrise in Tahoe that I haven't enjoyed. Plan to be at the most popular spots before the sun (thank me later when you wave to all the people heading up). For beaches, opt to hike to a beach or visit during the week for (slightly) less people. Private beaches will always have fewer crowds.

Quick tips for visiting

Lake Tahoe has some of the most blazing mountain sun I've ever encountered. Be sure to pack plenty of water and wear sun protection to avoid sun stroke. Even as a mountain dweller, I find the air to dry out my skin. Lotion helps to fight that tortise skin feeling!

Beating the Crowds in Lake Tahoe

There's never been a sunrise in Tahoe that I haven't enjoyed. Plan to be at the most popular spots before the sun (thank me later when you wave to all the people heading up). For beaches, opt to hike to a beach or visit during the week for (slightly) less people. Private beaches will always have fewer crowds.

Essential Gear

Stay cozy with these must-have gear items for your Lake Tahoe Adventure!

Essential Gear

REI Flash 22 Hiking Pack
REI flash 22 backpack that's small and compact for easy traveling

Sunshirt

Puffy Layer

A hooded down jacket for outdoor hikes.

Meet Meg Your Local Lake Tahoe Expert

I may live in Colorado, but don't be fooled. My family lives in Lake Tahoe and I've been coming here for almost 25 years - even lived here for a short stint. I've seen this place change and morph over the years. And when you're here multiple times a year, living with the locals, you learn a thing or two about how to avoid the tourists.

Meet Meg Your Local Lake Tahoe Expert

When to Visit Lake Tahoe

I may live in Colorado, but don’t be fooled. My family lives in Lake Tahoe and I’ve been coming here multiple times a year for almost 25 years – even lived here for a short stint. I’ve seen this place change and morph over the years. And when you’re here multiple times a year, living with the locals, you learn a thing or two about how to avoid the tourists.

Even More Lake Tahoe Adventures

Enjoy these incredible Lake Tahoe adventures that you won’t want to miss

Even More Lake Tahoe Adventures

View of Lake Tahoe at sunset.

Unbeatable Tahoe Views

Lake Tahoe Beaches

Tahoe Beaches to go Ga-ga for

best lake tahoe sledding

Sledding in Lake Tahoe

A person in blue walking on a snow covered ground and through pine trees covered in snow with a view of the lake in the background.

The best ski resorts

Lake Tahoe summer activities

The perfect 3-day Itinerary

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Explore the most that Colorado, Lake Tahoe, and the American Southwest have to offer. I’m out and about every week bringing you the best of the west!

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