Camp Richardson

There are a good number of biking trails around Lake Tahoe, especially in the south shore. There are bike paths, dirt roads, single tracks and bike parks around, with varied difficulty from easy breezy rides to steep mountain rides. There are excellent bike shops around that offer insider tips and rentals. Check out a list of trails here.

Picture this: bright blue skies reflected in glassy water, mountain peaks and trees rising up around you. There isn’t much that beats being out on the water, especially with lakes as incredible as the ones at Tahoe! Non-motorized and motorized boating are available at Lake Tahoe, Echo Lake, and Fallen Leaf Lake, where there are boat launch facilities. Motorized boats must pay inspection fees; you can read about fees, hours, and availability here. You’ll see lots of people on jet skis, speed boats, and even cruises; check out some rentals from Zephyr Cove.

The lakes here are stunning, and the rivers are just as amazing, offering fantastic fishing opportunities for rainbow, brown, eastern brook, golden, cutthroat, lake trout, kokanee salmon, and white fish. Some areas are catch and release only, so make sure to check with a ranger beforehand. Find out where the best secret fishing spots are here.

There are over a hundred miles of hiking trails where you can wander through fields of wildflowers, stroll around lakes, and trek up mountains for incredible views.There’s an extensive list of popular hikes with directions and difficulty level. Hikes that should be on your must-do list are to Vikingsholm Castle (tours of a Viking replica castle!), Cascade Creek Falls, the challenging but rewarding Bayview Trail, and of course, exploring Desolation Wilderness.

Giddy up! There are horse trails around for you and your horsey friend to explore, especially in the backcountry. You’ll need a wilderness permit if you’re journeying into Desolation Wilderness. Meeks Bay is a moderate 6.3 mile ride to a breathtaking view of several lakes, and the Bayview Trails is a strenuous 5 mile ride to Dicks Lake and the three Velmas (not the girl from Scooby Doo-- they’re lakes!). Those looking for longer rides can try the Pacific Crest Trail and the Tahoe Rim Trail, but they’re not for the faint of heart! For directions and nearby stables, check out this site.

Your flatwater recreation opportunities are limitless at Lake Tahoe! Kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, waterskiing, windsurfing, and tubing abound in the lakes and rivers here. Zephyr Cove (east shore) has it all; Echo Chalet, Baldwin Beach, and Pope Beach (all south shore) are promising spots; Kaspian and Meeks Bay (west shore) are also pretty amazing places, especially for kayaking. If you’re looking for rentals, Kayak Tahoe has your back.

Want some adrenaline-pumping adventure over that beautiful shimmering blue water? Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe are great for windsurfing, kiteboarding, and parasailing! There are lessons and rentals at many nearby companies, for example, Windsurf Lake Tahoe!

Looking to drive off road? Who isn’t? Tahoe has quite a few off roading trails, you can see the list here. Rubicon Trail is one of the most popular and wildest OHV trails in the country! There’s also a popular sand pit by the Twin Peaks trail that’s worth the challenge. See you out there!

The Sierras by Lake Tahoe make for excellent climbing and bouldering: the Pie Shop has excellent cragging; Donner Summit has the most routes; Twin Crags is best for beginners; Eagle Creek has the best views; Lovers Leap brings lovers together with tough guided climbs; it’s the most popular and accessible spots for all experience levels. Check out a list of classic climbs with difficulty levels and reviews on the Mountain Project.

Snow sports became popular at Lake Tahoe from the 1960 Olympic Games at Squaw Valley. Now, there’s snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sledding, and everything in between! Zephyr Cove is perfect for snowmobiling, and cross country skiers and snowshoers can head to Camp Richardson, Tallac Historic Site, and Taylor Creek Visitor Center. There’s nearby ice skating and tons of great ski resorts! Make sure you call the forest rangers who are happy to provide more information: (530) 543-2600.

Of course you can swim at Tahoe! Nevada Beach, Zephyr Cove, Fallen Leaf, Kaspian, Meeks Bay, and William Kent are campgrounds where you can swim, enjoying the cool alpine water only a short walk from your campsite. Popular day use areas are Baldwin Beach, Pope Beach, and Kiva Picnic Area, a quiet beach perfect for playing in the sand.

You’ll have no trouble wildlife watching in the Tahoe Basin. There are mountain lions, beavers, martens, black bears, coyotes, mule deer, and of course, really cool birds. Watch out for raccoon thieves, spiky porcupines, and marmots (groundhogs) who sometimes like to feast on car parts.