15 Fun South Lake Tahoe Activities

With its crystal-clear water, stunning sandy beaches, and numerous unique things to do in South Lake Tahoe, it’s considered one of the best destinations in California for an outdoor vacation. If you are craving some outdoorsy activities, you’ll find them – hiking, fishing, biking, and water sports – in South Lake Tahoe.

While getting there is half the battle, filling up your itinerary is the other half. There are dozens of great things to do in this area, so you’ll likely find yourself wondering how to fit it all in. We’ve curated a list of 15 of our favorite South Lake Tahoe activities so you can get started planning and not miss a thing.

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

Is South Lake Tahoe Worth Visiting?

You probably know what we’re going to say to this – of course South Lake Tahoe is worth visiting! There are tons of South Lake Tahoe summer activities as well as world-class skiing in winter, and all the amazing views you can imagine of the lake, the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the other nearby lakes and rivers.

I don’t like to use this phrase, but there is actually something for everyone in South Lake Tahoe. The town is packed with restaurants, shops, and beaches. The casinos on the Nevada side, the golf course, and the Heavenly gondola will keep you busy for days.

Another great reason to visit is that the weather cooperates with your plans most of the time. There are over 300 days of sunshine per year, with a very mild average temperature both in winter and summer.

Things to Do In South Lake Tahoe

#1 Inspiration Point at 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 the perfect place to feast your eyes on the beauty of an entire oasis of greens and blues against a sweeping mountain backdrop on the lake’s west shore.

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

#2 Fannette Island

Mrs. Knight’s teahouse is a must-visit spot in the park, located right in the middle of the bay on Fannette Island. The stone teahouse is on an island and 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 its gorgeous colors. You can also hop on the well-known Ms. Dixie II cruise boat with delicious food, spacious decks, and much more!

The bay also offers something for hiking enthusiasts—there are many awe-inspiring South Lake Tahoe hikes to choose from. Still, a few excellent hiking trails close to the lake offer some of the most scenic views of Emerald Bay, such as Rubicon Trail (keep reading for more details!) from Emerald Bay State Park, which enables you to view the whole bay from a high vantage point. Birders may also enjoy observing bald eagles that soar across the skyline frequently!

• Related: Best Time To Visit Lake Tahoe

#3 Hike the Rubicon Trail

This stunning trail, 16.4 miles long, is an excellent spot to connect to nature in South Lake Tahoe. However, it’s worth mentioning that this hike is not short, making it a better option for seasoned hikers unless you’re down to hike only a small portion of the trail.

You can kick off your journey at the trailhead of Bliss State Park or Emerald Bay State Park. During this nature trip, you’ll be absolutely amazed by the wonderful rock formations and breathtaking vistas of the lake’s turquoise water. 

#4 Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour

View the Sierras and the lake in breathtaking detail as you fly above Emerald Bay. Throughout this fascinating helicopter tour, you get to enjoy unforgettable views of Fallen Leaf Lake, Taylor Creek, Pope Beach, Cascade Lake, and Emerald Bay.

Surrounded by granite cathedrals and fed by Eagle falls, the lake’s only true bay is named for its emerald green waters. A flight over the area is a great alternative way to enjoy the majesty of it all, especially when it’s blanketed in fresh snow.

• Note: Weight limits apply—the maximum weight of all passengers cannot exceed 500 lbs, while the maximum weight per passenger is 250 lbs. And the precise passenger weights must be given at the time of booking.

#5 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.

• Related: 12 Beautiful Lakes in Southern California

#6 Taylor Creek Visitor Center

A great place to visit to see wildlife, maybe even a few bears, is the Taylor Creek Visitor Center. Here you can expect to find a nature path with a large deck overlooking the meadow where many animals come to graze. It’s also a great place to see the salmon spawning in October, when so many Kokanee Salmon make their way from Lake Tahoe to Taylor Creek.

Even if the visitor center itself isn’t open, you can still take the short walk on the Rainbow trail, which is paved and easy for everyone to do.

#7 Hike the Eagle Falls Trail

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.

#8 Heavenly Mountain Gondola

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.

#9 Horseback Riding at 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

#10 Lake Tahoe Balloons

Lake Tahoe Balloons offers one of the most thrilling yet relaxing adventures you can find in South Lake Tahoe. The hot air balloon trip adventure starts just after sunrise, and you can only imagine the fascinating view you’ll see during your trip at this time of the day.

You can meet the staff members at the Tahoe Keys Marina, where you board the Tahoe Flyer. A wide selection of drinks and snacks is also offered onboard to ensure you don’t stay hungry or thirsty throughout your journey.

After the hot air balloon lifts off, you’ll get to feast your eyes on sweeping views of the Desolation Wilderness, Cascade Lake, Fallen Leaf Lake, and Emerald Bay.

#11 Pope Beach

Pope Beach, about three-quarters of a mile, long and situated on National Forest land, offers fantastic picnicking and swimming options, as well as breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada. On-site food concession and kayak rental are also available, making this beach with crystal-clear water a perfect family-friendly spot in South Lake Tahoe. 

#12 Ice Skating in Winter

Ice skating is another fun Lake Tahoe winter activity that you should definitely do. While ice skating is available year-round in indoor rinks, nothing beats outdoor ice skating on the frozen lakes and rivers around Lake Tahoe.

The only outdoor ice rink in South Lake Tahoe can be found at Heavenly Village, and it’s an unforgettable outdoor ice skating experience. They are open from November 1 through Easter.

The South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena is another ice skating spot that offers year-round ice skating on a large ice rink. They also offer hockey and curling.

While Lake Tahoe itself never freezes over, there are a few other lakes in the area that do. You have to be extremely cautious when skating on a lake to make sure it’s thick enough to hold your weight. Check out this local Facebook page to see what lakes are frozen.

#13 Hike To Vikingsholm Castle

Emerald Bay, located on the lake’s western shore and surrounded by a breathtaking mountain backdrop, is considered Lake Tahoe’s crown jewel. There’s a hidden gem on the bay’s shores that serves as a great hike both in winter and summer: the Vikingsholm Castle. 

While the hike is easier in summer, you can still hike it in winter given the conditions are appropriate. There will be ice and snow on the trail, which is about a 1 mile hike down. Be sure you’re prepared for the conditions, with the appropriate supplies. Cell phone service might not be available. The castle itself is closed in winter, so you can’t do a tour of the interior.

• See Also: 15 Best Hikes in Lake Tahoe

#14 Tahoe Trout Farm

You will have tons of fun at this family-owned Tahoe Trout Farm. This historic trout farm has been providing its services to locals and tourists for 76 years.

They keep two ponds stocked with rainbow trout and golden lightening trout so you can catch your dinner or just have a good time fishing. Admission, tackle, and bait are free. It’s a great place to teach your kids how to fish. They are open from May to October.

#15 Van Sickle Bi State Park Hike

This park is a great place to go for a hike, both on paved and unpaved trails. It’s located right near the state line so you can actually go hiking in two states!

If you’re staying at one of the nearby hotels, you’ll be happy to see that the popular trail that leads up to a waterfall is within easy walking distance. Throughout the park, there are nice vistas and extremely large boulders that add to the enjoyment. It’s not a terribly difficult hike, though a bit strenuous.

Final Thoughts

These were the top must-do activities in South Lake Tahoe. Of course, there are many other fun things to do there that you’ll discover once you arrive at the natural wonder, South Lake Tahoe! 

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February 27, 2023