Things To Do in Lake Tahoe
Updated September 30, 2026 · 11 min read
The best things to do in Lake Tahoe: Sand Harbor, the East Shore Trail, Emerald Bay, Truckee River rafting, free beach concerts and North Shore skiing.
The best things to do in Lake Tahoe on the North Shore are Sand Harbor and the East Shore Trail, the coves at Chimney Beach and Speedboat Beach, rafting the Truckee River from Tahoe City, the free summer beach concerts, and, in winter, skiing at Diamond Peak, Mt. Rose, Northstar or Palisades Tahoe. Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm on the southwest shore are worth one long day. Below are 35 things, grouped by type, with the fees, reservations and rules you need to plan each one.
We manage 41 vacation homes on the North and West Shore, from Incline Village to Tahoma, and we're out at these beaches, trails and ski hills all year. So the list leads with that side of the lake and keeps South Lake Tahoe brief.
Where to stay
Search by datesWhere you sleep decides how much of your trip is spent in the car. Our homes are all on the North and West Shore:
- Incline Village (20 homes) and Crystal Bay: Sand Harbor, the East Shore Trail, Diamond Peak and Mt. Rose.
- Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista and Carnelian Bay: walk to the beach, Friday concerts, and the short drive to Northstar.
- Tahoe City: rafting, Sunday concerts, and the quickest drive to Palisades.
- Homewood and Tahoma: the quiet West Shore, closest to Emerald Bay, D.L. Bliss and Homewood Mountain.
We have one lakefront home, the Lakeside Luxe Retreat in Kings Beach. For winter, look at homes with a hot tub; for a reunion, homes for large groups.
Book on our site instead of through an app. Our nightly prices on Airbnb are set 28% higher than on our own site, and 17% higher on Vrbo, and every home page shows the dollar saving for your dates. See how booking direct works.
Enchanted Woods Cabin
Tranquil Tahoe Haven
Trout and About
Book direct and pay less than for the same home on Airbnb: pick dates on any home to see the difference.
Quick planning facts
| What | Detail (as of 2026) |
|---|---|
| Sand Harbor | $10 NV / $15 other vehicles; reservation for 8–10:30 a.m. entry May 15–Sep 30 |
| Chimney Beach parking | $12 a day from June 1 |
| Kings Beach SRA | $10 a day or $3 an hour; no dogs on the beach |
| Vikingsholm tours | $18 adults; daily May 23–Sep 30, 2026; parking $10 |
| Free concerts | Sundays at Commons Beach; Fridays at Kings Beach (June–early September) |
| Ski openings 2026-27 | Mt. Rose and Northstar Nov. 20; Palisades Nov. 25; Diamond Peak Dec. 3 (targets) |
| Buses | TART fare-free through December 2027 |
| Lake facts | About 6,225 ft elevation; 1,645 ft deep |
Fees, hours and dates change every year. Check the linked source before you go.
Beaches and the lakeshore
1. Sand Harbor
If you do one thing, make it Sand Harbor, about 3 miles south of Incline Village. The water is clear enough to see the bottom well offshore, and the boulders and coves make it good for all ages. Nevada State Parks charges $10 for Nevada vehicles and $15 for others, and from May 15 to September 30 you need a reservation on ReserveNevada.com to drive in between 8 and 10:30 a.m. The park opens at 8 a.m. and closes an hour after sunset. After the morning window the lot often fills. No glass, and pets only from October 15 to April 15.
2. The East Shore Trail
The easiest way around Sand Harbor's parking problem. This paved, 10-foot-wide path runs just under 3 miles from Incline Village to Sand Harbor along the water, and walkers need no reservation (bikes pay $2 at the gate). In summer 2026 the free East Shore Express shuttle also ran from Incline, June 21 to September 12. See our East Shore Trail guide for parking.
3. Chimney Beach and Secret Cove
Granite coves south of Sand Harbor, reached by a steep trail from Highway 28. Parking is no longer free: the trailhead lot costs $12 a day from June 1, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. No restrooms. Our Chimney Beach guide has the details.
4. Speedboat Beach
A tiny cove of smooth boulders in Crystal Bay, right at the state line. There's almost no parking, so walk, bike or get dropped off, and don't block driveways. See our Speedboat Beach guide.
5. Kings Beach State Recreation Area
The North Shore's widest sandy beach, with a playground, rentals on the sand and restaurants across the street. Parking is $10 a day or $3 an hour. No dogs on the beach and no alcohol. It's walkable from several of our Kings Beach homes.
6. Commons Beach, Tahoe City
A grassy park with a playground and small beach in the middle of town, and an easy spot for an evening walk. Lunch and ice cream are a short walk away.
7. Chambers Landing
A small West Shore beach near Homewood, beside the historic Chambers Landing bar. Roadside parking is very limited, so arrive early or bike in. See our Chambers Landing guide.
8. Meeks Bay
A long, shallow sandy beach on the West Shore, good for young kids. The marina has been closed for years and a restoration project is planned, so check what's operating before you go. More in our Meeks Bay guide.
9. D.L. Bliss State Park
Lester Beach and Calawee Cove are two of the clearest swimming and snorkeling spots on the lake. California State Parks fully reopened the park on May 21, 2026, after a long closure. Lots fill by mid-morning, and from October 5, 2026, the park goes to off-season walk-in access only.
10. Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm
The narrow, glacier-carved bay with Fannette Island in the middle is the most photographed view at Tahoe. From the Vikingsholm lot ($10 a day or $3 an hour, per California State Parks), it's a one-mile walk down to Vikingsholm, a 1929 Scandinavian-style mansion. In 2026 the Sierra State Parks Foundation ran 30-minute tours daily from May 23 to September 30, for $18 adults and $15 students, seniors and military, and free for kids 6 and under. The walk back up is the hard part. See our Emerald Bay guide.
On the water
11. Raft the Truckee River
The classic float starts in Tahoe City where the river leaves the lake and ends about 5 miles downstream at River Ranch, usually 2 to 3 hours of mostly calm water. Outfitters handle the shuttle back. Water levels decide the season. Our Truckee River rafting guide covers cost and timing.
12. Paddleboard or kayak
Rentals are easy at Kings Beach, Tahoe City and Sand Harbor. Go early; the lake is often glassy in the morning and choppy by afternoon. If you bring your own board, it must be clean, drained and dry, and Tahoe Keepers is the free program for paddlers.
13. Rent a boat
North Shore marinas rent boats by the half or full day, which is the simplest way to see the lake from the middle. If you tow your own, every motorized boat must be inspected before launch, and in 2026 boats from other waters also needed decontamination because of invasive golden mussels. Check the inspection program before you drive up.
14. Snorkel the clear coves
Calawee Cove at D.L. Bliss and the boulder coves around Sand Harbor are the easy spots. The water is cold all year, so a wetsuit top helps.
15. Fish for lake trout
Tahoe's deep, cold water holds large Mackinaw (lake trout). Charter captains run out of marinas on both shores and handle the gear. You'll need a license for the state you fish in; charters can tell you which.
16. See the wooden boats
Each August the Lake Tahoe Concours d'Elegance fills the docks at Obexer's in Homewood with restored wooden boats. The 52nd show ran August 7–8, 2026.
Hiking and biking
17. Stateline Fire Lookout
A short climb in Crystal Bay, about 1.7 miles total on an old paved road, to a loop with benches and views over the whole North Shore. A good one for kids or a last morning.
18. Tahoe Meadows
Up the Mt. Rose Highway from Incline Village, an easy 1.3-mile interpretive loop through meadows that fill with wildflowers in early summer. In winter it's the North Shore's free snowshoe spot.
19. A stretch of the Tahoe Rim Trail
The Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165-mile loop around the basin's ridges, crossing two states and six counties. You don't need to do it all. Pick an out-and-back from a trailhead such as Tahoe Meadows or Brockway Summit, and turn around when you've had enough.
20. The Rubicon Trail
The lakeshore trail between D.L. Bliss and Emerald Bay, with water views almost the whole way and little climbing. No dogs.
21. Eagle Falls and Eagle Lake
A short, steep climb near Emerald Bay to the falls, or keep going to Eagle Lake. Parking has been $5. Going on to Eagle Lake means entering the Desolation Wilderness, which needs a free day-use permit.
22. The Flume Trail
The classic mountain-bike ride high above the East Shore, starting from Spooner Lake. Some sections are technical and exposed, so it suits intermediate riders and up.
23. Mount Tallac (South Shore)
At 9,735 feet, Tallac is the big summit hike: about 10 miles round trip with roughly 3,300 feet of climbing. It's a full day and a long drive from the North Shore, so pair it with a South Shore stay.
Events, culture and family days
24. Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival
Outdoor theater at Sand Harbor with the lake behind the stage. The 54th season ran July 3 to August 23, 2026, with Macbeth and The Heart of Robin Hood. Bring a blanket and a warm layer. Details on the festival site.
25. Free beach concerts
Concerts at Commons Beach in Tahoe City play on Sundays from 4 to 7 p.m. (June 14 to September 6 in 2026). Music on the Beach plays Fridays at Kings Beach, 6 to 8:30 p.m. (June 19 to September 4 in 2026). Both are free.
26. Fourth of July fireworks
Kings Beach holds its beach party and fireworks on July 3. On July 4, Tahoe City's show launches off Commons Beach at 9:30 p.m., and Incline Village has its own 9:30 p.m. show over the lake. More in our Lake Tahoe summer guide.
27. Fanny Bridge and the Gatekeeper's Museum
At the Tahoe City dam, watch big trout in the clear river below Fanny Bridge for free. Next door, the Gatekeeper's Museum has one of the largest Native American basket collections in the country and exhibits on the lake's history. It's open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., from April 10 to October 31.
28. Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram
A 10-minute summer ride up 2,000 vertical feet to High Camp at 8,200 feet, with trails and a pool at the top. In 2026 it ran daily through September 7. Ikon Pass holders ride free.
29. Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park
Zip lines and ropes courses behind Granlibakken in Tahoe City, for ages 6 and up. Its 2026 schedule was limited to certain days and weeks, so check opening days and book ahead.
Winter
30. Ski the North Shore's local hills
Diamond Peak in Incline Village targets opening Thursday, December 3, 2026, and has lake views from almost every run. Mt. Rose, with the highest base at Tahoe, targets November 20. Compare them in Mt. Rose vs. Diamond Peak.
31. Ski the big resorts
Northstar targets November 20 and Palisades Tahoe November 25, 2026, both weather permitting. Homewood, right above the lake on the West Shore, plans to operate in 2026-27 with a new gondola under construction. See our Lake Tahoe winter guide for all the dates.
32. Snowshoe or cross-country ski
Tahoe Meadows is free. Tahoe XC, near Tahoe City, grooms more than 50 km of trails and rents gear. Sugar Pine Point State Park, next to Tahoma, has more than 20 km of marked trails.
33. Sled and skate
North Tahoe Regional Park in Tahoe Vista has three sled hills for different ages. The Tahoe City Winter Sports Park has an ice rink and a small kids' sled hill, booked in time slots. Skating at the Northstar Village rink is free; you pay only for rentals.
34. Sand Harbor in the snow
Sand Harbor stays open all winter, with no reservation needed outside May 15 to September 30. After a storm, with snow on the boulders and calm water, you may have it almost to yourself.
Any season
35. Drive the loop around the lake
The drive around the lake on Highways 28, 50 and 89 is roughly 72 miles and passes the Emerald Bay overlooks, the East Shore and every lake town. Allow most of a day with stops. In winter, Caltrans sometimes closes Highway 89 at Emerald Bay after big storms because of avalanche risk, so check QuickMap first. On clear nights, pullouts away from town lights, like those along the Mt. Rose Highway, are good for stargazing.
Two more for any season: a soak at one of the hot springs near Lake Tahoe, best after a cold ski day, and the whole lake at once from a Lake Tahoe helicopter tour.
On the South Shore, briefly
If you cross the lake, the South Shore's main draws are the Heavenly Gondola from Heavenly Village (it runs as a scenic ride as well as for skiing; see our Heavenly guide), the casinos at Stateline, Cave Rock on the East Shore, which is sacred to the Washoe Tribe and is a viewpoint and boat launch rather than a climbing spot, and the beaches around Pope and Nevada Beach. Our North vs. South Lake Tahoe comparison explains how the two sides differ.
Best things to do by season
| Season | Lake-level highs (Tahoe City avg) | Best for | Top picks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | About 39–44°F | Skiing, snowshoeing, cabin evenings | Diamond Peak, Northstar, Palisades, Tahoe Meadows |
| Spring (Apr–May) | About 50–60°F | Spring skiing, quiet towns, lower-elevation walks | Late-season ski days, Tahoe City, Fanny Bridge |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | About 69–78°F | Beaches, water, concerts | Sand Harbor, Kings Beach, rafting, Shakespeare |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | About 59–70°F | Hiking, fewer people | Rim Trail, Stateline Lookout, the lake loop |
Temperatures are long-term averages from the Western Regional Climate Center. For a month-by-month view, see the best time to visit Lake Tahoe.
A sample three-day North Shore plan
Day 1: Walk or bike the East Shore Trail to Sand Harbor, swim, then dinner in Incline Village or Crystal Bay.
Day 2: Raft the Truckee from Tahoe City in the morning, watch trout from Fanny Bridge, then the free concert at Commons Beach if it's a summer Sunday.
Day 3: Early hike to the Stateline Fire Lookout, then an afternoon at Kings Beach.
With a fourth day, drive the West Shore to D.L. Bliss and Emerald Bay, and stop at Chambers Landing on the way back.
How many days do you need?
Three to four days covers one shore properly. A week lets you add Emerald Bay, a second ski area and a day on the South Shore. On a long weekend, pick one shore and stay there. The drive around the lake takes longer than people expect, especially in summer traffic or winter weather. If you're driving up, our guides to driving from the Bay Area and flying into Reno help with timing.
Plan your trip around what you'll do
Pick the things on this list that matter most, then book a home close to them. Search by your dates to see direct prices, or call us at (530) 317-0291. We live here year-round and are happy to tell you which town fits your plans. You can also send us a message or read our FAQs.
Questions
What is the number one thing to do in Lake Tahoe?
For a North Shore visitor, Sand Harbor on the Nevada side: clear water, granite boulders and sandy coves. From May 15 to September 30 you need a reservation for vehicle entry between 8 and 10:30 a.m., or you can walk or bike in on the East Shore Trail from Incline Village. On the West Shore, Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm are the other must-see.
What is the best free thing to do in Lake Tahoe?
Driving the roughly 72-mile loop around the lake, stopping at the Emerald Bay overlooks, is hard to beat. On the North Shore, the free Sunday concerts at Commons Beach in Tahoe City and Friday concerts at Kings Beach, the Tahoe Meadows loop and the Stateline Fire Lookout hike cost nothing.
Is North Lake Tahoe or South Lake Tahoe better for activities?
The North Shore is quieter, with Sand Harbor, the East Shore Trail, Tahoe City's river and beaches, and quick access to Diamond Peak, Mt. Rose, Northstar and Palisades. The South Shore has casinos, more nightlife, Heavenly and Mount Tallac. It depends on whether you want a calm trip or more to do after dark.
How much does it cost to tour Vikingsholm?
In 2026 tours cost $18 for adults and $15 for students, seniors and military, and were free for kids 6 and under. Tours ran daily from May 23 to September 30. Parking at the Vikingsholm lot is $10 a day or $3 an hour, and the walk down is one mile each way.
How many days do you need in Lake Tahoe?
Three or four days covers one shore well: a beach day, a hike, a day on the water or the slopes, and an evening in town. With a week you can add Emerald Bay, a second ski area and a day on the other side of the lake.
Are dogs allowed on Lake Tahoe beaches?
Mostly not in summer. Sand Harbor allows pets only from October 15 to April 15, and dogs are not allowed on the beach at Kings Beach State Recreation Area or on the Rubicon Trail. Check each beach's rules before you go.
What is there to do in Lake Tahoe in winter besides skiing?
Snowshoe or cross-country ski at Tahoe Meadows, Tahoe XC or Sugar Pine Point State Park, skate at the Tahoe City Winter Sports Park or the free Northstar Village rink, sled at North Tahoe Regional Park in Tahoe Vista, and walk Sand Harbor in the snow.