Lake Tahoe Summer Activities
Lake Tahoe is a beautiful freshwater lake located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It crosses the borders of both California and Nevada and is a major tourist attraction for both states. As the largest Alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe’s panoramic scenery and crystal clear waters are a spectacular vacation destination.
From late spring to early fall, water sports and beach activities dominate. Lake Tahoe is a boating paradise and there are lots of marinas and boat ramps on all shores of the Lake. Consequently, there are also many lake front restaurants, many of which have docks and buoys for customers to park their boats. Scuba diving is very popular and other lake-based activities include water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, jet skiing, and parasailing. Sport fishing is also a popular pastime and there are a wide variety of sport fish species in the lake. For a more adrenaline pumping experience, try white water rafting down the Truckee River: the only outlet from Lake Tahoe.
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If water sports are not your thing, there are plenty of other activities to choose from, from horse riding to hiking and cycling. There are numerous trails around the lake, catering for all levels of ability. Some trails are designed for gentle walking; others are only suitable for serious mountain biking enthusiasts. One of the most famous is the Tahoe Rim Trail that runs for 165 miles around the perimeter of the lake. For a relaxing day, sunbathing and picnicking on the many beaches can provide simple amusement for families during the summer months.
On the western side of Lake Tahoe, high up on the Sierra crest, lies Desolation Wilderness. This natural paradise offers some spectacular scenery including Lake Aloha and Horsetail Falls. Emerald Bay State Park also lies to the west for visitors to enjoy some relaxation against the backdrop of natural beauty.
If you want to take a tour of the Lake, there are many ways to do this. From helicopter and balloon rides for an aerial view, to bus and boat tours, there are lots of ways to explore the perimeter of Lake Tahoe. Self-guided and guided packages are always available. There are also several museums worth a visit including Vikingsholm Castle, the Tahoe Maritime Museum, and the Tahoe Historical Society Museum
In the north shore resorts on the Nevada side of the Lake, gambling is of course legal and there are a number of casinos offering year around entertainment.
