What's Popular — TahoeTravel

Tahoe's Greatest Hits

Don't Just Visit — Dig In

From the crystal water of the East Shore to the powder above Incline Village, these are the categories visitors fall for first. Pick a thread and pull.

The Lake by the Numbers

A Place That Earns the Superlatives

1,645 ft

Maximum depth — 2nd-deepest in the U.S.

22 mi

Long, by 12 miles wide

6,225 ft

Surface elevation

300+

Days of sunshine a year

Year-Round

Tahoe in Every Season

The lake never closes. Here's what rises to the top as the seasons turn.

Beaches & Swimming

Stake out a spot at Sand Harbor or Kings Beach and wade into the clearest water of the year.

Explore beaches

Boating & Kayaking

Paddle the East Shore coves or take a sunset cruise across the deepest blue you'll ever see.

On-water fun

Lake-View Hiking

Wildflowers and big-water panoramas on the East Shore Trail and the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Find a trail

Fall-Color Drives

Golden aspens light up Hope Valley and the West Shore — the quietest, prettiest season to drive the lake.

Scenic routes

Mountain Biking

Crisp air and empty trails make autumn prime time for the flow trails around Northstar and Tahoe City.

More activities

Food & Wine Season

Harvest menus and festival weekends — including Autumn Food & Wine up at Northstar.

Where to eat

Skiing & Snowboarding

From Diamond Peak's lake views to Palisades' Olympic terrain — a dozen resorts within an hour.

Hit the slopes

Sledding & Snow Play

Free hills at Tahoe Meadows and managed parks near Incline and Tahoe City for all ages.

Snow play spots

Snowshoe & Nordic

Quiet groomed tracks and backcountry meadows when you'd rather earn your turns slowly.

More winter fun

Spring Skiing

Bluebird days, soft snow and sunshine — Tahoe's deep base keeps resorts spinning into spring.

Late-season slopes

Wildflower Hikes

Snowmelt feeds roaring creeks and meadow blooms on the lower trails around the lake.

Find a trail

Quiet-Season Escapes

Smaller crowds and lower rates — the locals' favorite window to have the lake to yourself.

Where to stay

Our Corner of the Lake

Leaning Toward the North & East Shore

Tahoe is enormous, and this guide spends most of its time on the quieter, scenic stretch that runs from Tahoe City around through Kings Beach, Incline Village and the East Shore.

That's the home of Sand Harbor's turquoise coves, the lake-view runs at Diamond Peak and Mt. Rose, the cliff-jumping at Secret Cove, the paved Tahoe East Shore Trail, and the low-key casinos of Crystal Bay — a little less crowded, and a lot of what makes Tahoe, Tahoe.

Incline Village Sand Harbor Kings Beach Tahoe City Crystal Bay East Shore Trail

Mark Your Calendar

Signature Tahoe Events

The annual gatherings worth planning a trip around. Check each organizer for current dates and tickets.

Each summer

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival

Open-air theater right on the sand at Sand Harbor State Park, with the lake as the backdrop — one of the East Shore's signature nights out.

Mid-July

American Century Championship

The country's biggest celebrity golf tournament, drawing pro athletes and entertainers to Edgewood Tahoe on the South Shore.

Early summer

Broken Arrow Skyrace

A world-class mountain-running festival in Olympic Valley at Palisades Tahoe, climbing the same peaks that hosted the 1960 Olympics.

September

Autumn Food & Wine Festival

Tastings, cooking demos and harvest dinners in the village at Northstar California as the aspens start to turn.

What's Popular Around the Lake

Don't Just Visit — Dig In

Beaches & Watersports

Skiing & Snow Sports

Hiking & Trails

Food & Drink

Places to Stay

Attractions & Sights

Fishing

Boating & On-Water

Reno & Carson City