10 Fun Things To Do in Lake Tahoe in Summer

When we think of Lake Tahoe, we think of sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, mountains covered with snow, and towering pine trees. It’s definitely one of the best places in California to enjoy a summer vacation, attracting tons of visitors every summer.

Once the snow melts in Tahoe, all those great summer activities we’ve been waiting for open back up again, so hiking, biking, and laying on the beach are back on the table. I do love all the winter activities in Tahoe, but my favorite season here is summer, which starts in June and extends through August.

» Check out The Perfect lake Tahoe Itinerary for Summer.

» You might be interested in one of these 8 Best Day Trips Near Lake Tahoe.

If you’re planning to visit this natural wonder in summer but have no idea what to do there, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’re going to give you the top 10 fun things to do in Lake Tahoe in summer to get the most out of your visit.

Looking for more info? See our full destination guide as well as posts on Lake Tahoe in Winter, the best times to visit Lake Tahoe, and the 15 best hikes in the area.

Why Lake Tahoe Is a Great Summer Destination

Lake Tahoe is renowned for its 300 days of annual sunshine. In summer, the lake boasts an average temperature between 69°-77°F. That makes it a pretty perfect place to explore for those four glorious months of summer.

According to the Tahoe Fund, Lake Tahoe is one of the purest lakes in the world with water that is 99.994% pure, almost as pure as drinking water. How cool is that. It’s also one of the deepest lakes and one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the U.S.

How To Get To Lake Tahoe

To get to North Lake Tahoe from San Francisco or Sacramento, take Highway 80 to Truckee. From there, it’s about a 25-minute drive to the majority of the north shore towns. It’s 1 hour 10 minutes to South Lake Tahoe.

If you’re flying in to Lake Tahoe from further afield, the Reno-Tahoe International Airport is the closest, at about an hour from the north part of the lake and an hour and 20 minutes from the south part. Sacramento International Airport is a 90-minute drive to both north and south points.

You probably don’t need a car if you’re staying in South Lake Tahoe. You can walk to many restaurants and to the public beach access from hotels, and there are several taxis and ride share services available as well.

However, you’ll probably need your own vehicle if you’re staying on the North side of the lake. This is because the public transportation system is not quick or thorough and doesn’t run late into the night.

Top 10 Things To Do In Lake Tahoe In Summer

#1 Visit the Stunning Emerald Bay State Park

Emerald Bay, located on the lake’s western shore and surrounded by a stunning mountain backdrop, is considered Lake Tahoe’s crown jewel. This is an ideal location to just take in the scenery, feasting your eyes on the beautiful greens and blues against the mountain backdrop on the west shore of the lake. 

Inspiration Point is one of the most well-known spots along Highway 89 to Emerald Bay. The spectacular backdrop and historic Fannette Island can be clearly seen from this drive-up overlook. 

And you really don’t want to miss seeing Mrs. Knight’s teahouse, which is located right in the middle of the bay on Fannette Island. The stone teahouse’s island location provides a surreal 360-degree view of the bay’s natural beauty. People usually take out a kayak for the best possible view of the lake or Emerald Bay and all of its brilliant colors. You can also hop on the well-known Ms. Dixie II cruise boat.

There are many South Lake Tahoe hikes to choose from, but a few excellent hiking trails close to the lake offer the most scenic views of Emerald Bay, such as Rubicon Trail from Emerald Bay State Park, which enables you to view the entire bay from a high vantage point. Birders may also find pleasure in observing bald eagles that soar across the skyline frequently.

» Tour to try: Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe

#2 Take a Scenic Gondola Ride + Hiking

You’ll complete the 2.4-mile ride up in the Heavenly Mountain Gondola out of breath as you feast your eyes on the sweeping views of Lake Tahoe. To get the most of this cool experience, stop at the Observation Deck on your way up for pictures, a cup of coffee at Cafe Blue, and souvenirs at The Gondola Sports shop.

When you finally reach the top, you can use your ticket to head up the Tamarack Express chairlift for unforgettable Lake Tahoe vistas and access to a number of stunning hiking trails there. There are many hiking trails at this point to choose from. The easy Green Trail is a 1-mile hike that goes up to Upper Bonanza Lookout. It’s easy enough for the whole family to do. For a more difficult trail, try the East Peak Lake Trail, which is a 3.8 mile round trip hike.

#3 Hike the Eagle Falls Trail to Eagle Lake

One of the unforgettable hikes everyone should go on in Lake Tahoe is the one to Eagle Falls and onward to Eagle Lake. The first part is a short .5 mile hike that leads up to the falls and then you can choose to continue on to the serene Eagle Lake. Along the way, you’ll pass all of the iconic scenery, from evergreen trees, to granite peaks and blue lake.

The whole hike is 1.9 miles and takes about an hour to complete. When you arrive at the lake, you can take a swim or just hang out enjoying the view. The trailhead for this hike is at the Eagle Falls Picnic Area and there is a fee to park.

#4 Explore Tahoe National Forest

Located northwest of Lake Tahoe, Tahoe National Forest is a great place to explore. This forest is a dream-destination for many hikers, boasting a wide range of stunning hiking trails, including a part of the breathtaking Pacific Crest Trail. 

The forest also features mountain biking trails that provide access to various rivers, lakes, and mountain tops. Last  but not least, there’s a little hidden gem in the forest that you need to see before your visit ends: the mind-blowing emerald pools.

• Related: 12 Beautiful Lakes in Southern California

#5 Discover the Serene Beauty of Sand Harbor

On the eastern shores of Sand Harbor, you can enjoy swimming, scuba diving, and kayaking, thanks to its clean water, gently sloping beaches, and rock formations.

If you feel like escaping from the sun, you can sit down and relax in the shade of cedars and Jeffrey pines in any picnic spot you choose, each with tables where you can set up your picnic. Propane grills are allowed.

We also enjoy hiking at Sand Harbor. The two hikes we recommend are the Sand Harbor to Memorial Point Trail, which is just a .5-mile trail that takes you to Memorial Point with secluded beaches and rocky areas to explore, and the Sand Point Nature Trail, which is even shorter, but is a handicap-accessible trail with interpretive signs and great views of Lake Tahoe.

There’s a $10 parking fee. The parking lot can be difficult during peak hours of 11am to 4pm during the summer, so it’s a good idea to have a backup plan for where you’ll go if it’s full, because you’re not allowed to park on the highway or walk into the park.

» Tour to try: Half-Day Coastal Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour | The Iconic East Shore Trail

#6 Enjoy Horseback Riding In Camp Richardson Corral 

Location: 4 Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

The best horseback riding experience at the lake can be found in Camp Richardson Corral, where your ride will take you through the National forest and beautiful mountain meadows. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to horse riding and just want an easy trail ride or you’re after a longer ride, you can do it at Camp Richardson Resort. They even have pony rides for the kiddos. 

• See Also: 25 Incredible Must-Visit California Tourist Attractions

#7 Play at Kings Beach

Kings Beach, which is situated in the North Lake Tahoe area, is one of the best spots to enjoy various water activities, shaded picnic areas, and kid’s playgrounds. It’s a cute beach town that has plenty of quirky shops, hotels, and restaurants. Because of it’s prime location on the lake, it gets quite packed in the summer months, as you might expect.

Out on the lake, you can go kayaking or paddleboarding, spread out your towel for a bit of sun in between dips in the water, or you can go for a hike along the shore. This small town will definitely capture your heart.

#8 Relax at Baldwin Beach

On State Highway 89, you’ll find the magnificent Baldwin Beach, which is just 3 miles away from the city of South Lake Tahoe. Baldwin Beach is famous for its stunning half-mile-long sandy beach, which offers sweeping views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

This beach is a popular place to swim and have a picnic, plus you can launch your kayak (or rent one) to visit Emerald Bay. You can also rent bikes to ride along the tree-lined trails.

#9 Nevada Beach

Nevada Beach is situated two miles north of Stateline, Nevada, on the southeast shore of Lake Tahoe. The beach, which is on land owned by the National Forest, has a half-mile stretch of lovely sand beach and gives sweeping views of Lake Tahoe.

We always do a family picnic on the beach here, because it’s one of the most beautiful stretches of sand. Popular activities include picnicking, swimming, and just soaking in the sun on a beautiful, sunny day! On-site food concessions and kayak rentals are also available at the beach.

As with other beaches in the area, the parking lot fills up early and it can be quite difficult to find somewhere to park. There’s also a $10 parking fee.

» Tour to try: Wild West Day Trip from Lake Tahoe with Train Ride

10. Have Some Alone Time at a Private Beach

If you don’t like crowded beaches, there are a number of resorts in Lake Tahoe that have private beaches reserved for only thier customers. That can be a great way to have a relaxing and quieter vacation at the beach, where you don’t have to vie for a parking spot or a spot on the sand.

Here are the best hotels in Lake Tahoe with a private beach for a serene time.

• The Americana Village
• Station House Inn Tahoe
• Heavenly Inn Lake Tahoe
• Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge and Spa
• Big Pines Mountain House of Tahoe
• Quality Inn South Lake Tahoe
• Avalon Lodge
• Lakeland Village Resort at Heavenly
• Blue Jay Lodge
• Cedar Inn
• Stateline Economy Inn & Suites
• The Coachman Hotel
• Lake Tahoe Ambassador Lodge

Have We Mentioned the Lake Is Haunted?

Lake Tahoe has a long, hair-raising history of hauntings. The Tahoe Biltmore, a location known for its strange occurrences, featured another occurrence in 2018, when ghost hunters reported strange encounters. The Biltmore’s resident ghost, Mary, was frequently spotted during the weekend in stairwells and hallways in addition to random, spine-chilling voices whispering nearby, doors opening and closing, and knocking sounds.

Lake Tahoe’s reputation as a haunted lake was highlighted by Janice Oberding in 2015, the author of Haunted Lake Tahoe. So, make sure to read this one for more bizarre details!

Final Thoughts

We may be biased, but we truly think thin Lake Tahoe is an almost perfect place to enjoy your summer vacation, even though staying there may break the bank. We highly recommend that you visit Lake Tahoe during the week rather than on a holiday or a weekend in the summer to enjoy its natural beauty with none of the crowdedness.

But other than that, this Lake Tahoe is worth visiting and deserves every cent you spent there. Now what are you waiting for? Waste no time preparing for visiting Lake Tahoe and have the most unforgettable summer vacation ever.

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May 24, 2023