Best Things to Do in Lake Tahoe

Split between California's pine-forested state parks and Nevada's granite-boulder coves, Lake Tahoe is a true four-season alpine playground. Here are the ten experiences that define a visit.

1. Marvel at Emerald Bay State Park, hike down to 1929 Vikingsholm Castle & walk the Rubicon Trail. Stand at Inspiration Point looking down on Fannette Island's 1928 stone Tea House, then descend 1 mile to the 38-room Scandinavian castle on the beach and walk the cliffside trail toward D.L. Bliss.
2. Swim, paddle & bike the Tahoe East Shore Trail to Sand Harbor, Bonsai Rock & Secret Cove. Cycle North America's most scenic 3-mile overwater path from Incline Village to the turquoise boulder coves of Sand Harbor.
3. Ride the Heavenly Mountain Gondola up to the 2,780-Metre Observation Deck. Ascend right from the pedestrian village in South Lake Tahoe for a sweeping bird's-eye panorama over the entire lake basin.
4. Paddle a 100% Transparent Clear-Bottom Kayak or cruise on the paddlewheeler MS Dixie II. Look straight through the floor of your kayak into 20 metres of crystal-clear water over giant submerged boulders.

5. Hike to Monkey Rock (2.6 Miles), Volcanic Eagle Rock or Cave Rock. Climb to a granite boulder naturally carved in the shape of a monkey overlooking the East Shore, or scramble up Eagle Rock on the West Shore in 20 minutes.
6. Explore Tahoe City (Rafting the Truckee River), Kings Beach & Historic 1860s Truckee. Float 5 lazy miles down the Truckee River on an inner tube and stroll frontier brick buildings in Truckee.
7. Ski or ride the tram at Palisades Tahoe (1960 Olympic Valley), Heavenly, Northstar & Kirkwood.
8. Relax on the Quiet West Shore at D.L. Bliss State Park (Lester Beach) & Sugar Pine Point.

9. Mountain-bike the World-Famous Flume Trail, see October's Red Kokanee Salmon Run at Taylor Creek, and sip a 'Wet Woody' on the pier at Gar Woods.
10. Detour to Donner Pass (Rainbow Bridge) or 1859 Silver Boomtown Virginia City.