Lake Tahoe Travel Guide

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Lake Tahoe Summer Recreational Activities

A Comprehensive Guide to Lake Tahoe Summer Outdoor Activities

Discover Lake Tahoe through its amazing outdoor summer sports and recreational activities

With its wealth of beaches, mountains, open spaces and miles of fresh blue water, Lake Tahoe has a plethora of summer outdoor activities for you to enjoy. Whether you are looking for a day hike up Mount Tallac, biking around the lake, boating or water skiing, you can do it all here. And after the fun and games are over, take a breather and enjoy one of its fine restaurants or test lady luck at one of the world famous Lake Tahoe casinos.
  

 

Hot Air Balloons

 Lake Tahoe Balloons

2735 Venice Dr E, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150   (530) 544-1221
  

Biking

 || Rentals       || Tours       || Trails

Bicycle Rentals

Camp Richardson Resort  — Bike Rentals

1900 Jameson Beach Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150   (530) 541-1801

CyclePaths — Bike Rentals

10095 W River St, Truckee, CA 96161    (530) 582-1890

Enviro-rents — Bike Rentals

8612 N Lake Blvd, Kings Beach, CA 96143    (530) 546-2780

Village Ski Loft —  Summer Bike Rentals

800 Tahoe Blvd, Incline Village, NV 89451   (775) 831-3537

Ski and Snowboard Rentals, Mountain Bike Rentals
  

Bicycle Tours
  

Bicycle Trails
  
  

See Also State Parks and Beaches…
  
  
  

Boat Rentals

 Action Water Sports – various locations around the lake

Tahoe Sports – various locations around the lake

all-seasons sports provider, from ski and snowboard to power boat and personal watercraft rentals.

For a comprehensive list of boat rentals, please click here 
  
  

Bowling

 Bowl Incline

920 South wood Blvd., Incline Village  (775) 831-1900

Tahoe Bowl

1030 Fremont Ave., South Lake Tahoe  (530) 544-3700

A complete 16 lane facility with video arcade.
  
  

Fishing

 Tahoe Sport Fishing Co.

fishing boats depart from centrally located Ski Run Marina and, on the Nevada side, the popular Zephyr Cove Resort Marina

Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters

2705 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150     (530) 541-8208

Tahoe Trout Farm — Fishing No License, no limit.

1023 Blue Lake Ave, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150    (530) 541-1491
  
  

Golf Courses

 Way too many golf courses to list here. Please go to our golf page to view all golf courses located in Lake Tahoe and Reno
  
   

Hiking

 Desolation Wilderness Area — Lake Tahoe Area Wilderness Hiking & Camping

United States Forest Service – Eldorado National Forest 100 Forni Rd.,
Placerville, CA 95667  (530) 622-5061

Some of Lake Tahoe’s best day and long distance hiking.  Difficulty levels can vary greatly, so be sure to check out all safety and physical requirements carefully!

Please Visit our Lake Tahoe Camping page and our  Parks and Forests page for more hiking and backpacking information.

Please visit our dedicated Hiking Page at by clicking here >>
  
  

Horse and Carriage Rides

 Camp Richardson Corral — Horseback Riding

Hwy 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA  (530) 541-3113

Cascade Stables – South Lake Tahoe

2281 Cascade Rd., South Lake Tahoe, CA    (530) 541-2055

Zephyr Cove Resort Stables — Horseback Riding

Zephyr Cove, NV  (775) 588-5664

Alpine Meadows Stables

355 Alpine Meadows Rd, Olympic Valley, CA   (530) 583-3905

Lazy K Pack Station

Kirkwood Mountain Resort   (209) 258-6000

Northstar Stables Northstar-at-Tahoe  

(530) 562-2480

The Tahoe Donner Equestrian Center

Truckee, CA    (530) 587-9470

Borges Carriage Rides

P.O. Box 5905 Stateline, Nevada 89449 (775) 588-2953

Handmade Sleighs and Carriages rides

 

See Also State Parks and Beaches…
  
  

 

Jeep Tours

 

We are sorry. This section is being updated for 2016/17

 

Kayaking

 

Lakeview Sports  

various locations around the lake

Kings Beach Aqua Sports

Kings Beach State Beach  (530) 546-27821

Tahoe Whitewater Tours

303 Alpine Meadows Rd. off HW 89 Tahoe City, CA      (530) 581-2441
  
  

Miniature Golf

 

 

Magic Carper Golf

2455 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA  (530) 541-3787

Kings Beach Mini Golf

8693 N Lake Blvd., Kings Beach, CA    (530) 546-3196 

Magic Carpet Golf

5167 N Lake Blvd., Carnelian Bay, CA (530) 546-4279

 

Parasailing

 

 

Action Water Sports —

Parasailing Timber Cove Marina, CA (530) 544-5387

North Tahoe Watersports Inc

Tahoe City Marina, 700 N. Lake Blvd Tahoe City, CA 96145   (530) 583-7245

Ski Run Boat Company —

Parasailing (530) 544-0200

 

River Rafting

 

Mountain Air Sports

Tahoe City, CA  (530) 583-5606.

Enjoy a leisurely float down the Truckee from Tahoe City to the River Ranch. Free bus returns.

Tahoe Whitewater Tours

Covering 5 local rives  (530) 581-2441

 

Rock/Wall Climbing

 

Keith Turner’s Reno/Tahoe Rock Climbing

P.O. Box 6655    Reno, NV 89513-6655

Squaw Valley USA

Olympic Valley, CA  (530) 583-6985

The Squaw Valley Adventure Center serves up fun and challenges for guests of all ages. Our 30′ indoor wall and the 45′ outdoor wall (summer only) offer exciting fun for all ages. 25 different routes will test any climber from beginner to expert.

 

Roller Skating

 

Porter’s Ski & Sport – Complete Rental Department Snow Ski and Boards, Water ski, Tennis, Rollerblades & Ice Skates, Mtn. Bikes

– 501 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA  (530) 583-2314

– Lucky-Longs Ctr., Truckee, CA  (530) 587-1500

– 885 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, CA  (775) 831-3500
  
  

Sailing Schools

 

 

 

Scenic Boat Tours/Rentals

 

M.S. Dixie II Lake Cruises

M.S. Dixie II Paddlewheel offers a scenic lake tour of Tahoe.

North Tahoe Cruises

Lighthouse Marina, Tahoe City, CA  (530)  583-0141

Mississippi paddlewheel — Sunset Cocktail Cruises, Continental Breakfast and Dinner Cruises.

Sailwoodwind

South Lake Tahoe  (888) 867-6394

Daily cruises, weddings, charters

Tahoe Queen

900 Ski Run Blvd. Suite #1 South Lake Tahoe, CA96150    (775) 589-4906

Lake Tahoe’s only authentic Mississippi Sternwheeler, The Tahoe Queen sails from centrally located Ski Run Marina and offers scenic sightseeing

Woodwind Sailboat Cruise

They offer four daily sailing cruises plus a sunset champagne cruise.

Their 55’ Woodwind II is based at Zephyr Cove on East Shore. (775) 588-3000. And their 41’ Woodwind I sails out of Camp Richardson Resort to Emerald Bay. (530) 542-2212.

 

Skateboarding

 

Bijou Community Park

1201 Al Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe

Bijou Community Park is South Lake Tahoe’s only true community park. Constructed in 1992, the park offers diverse recreation opportunities to both residents and visitors alike.

Some of the park’s highlights include: One of the top disc golf courses in the country (no fee to play), Two covered gazebos with barbeque pits. Both are available for rental, Skateboard park, Volleyball courts (sand, 2), Fitness course, Restroom, concession facility, Basketball court, Open meadow; great for walking or just relaxing, Historic railroad exhibit, Horseshoe pits (2), A fenced dog park, (no fee), open to the public

 

 

Theme Parks / Theme Places

 

Tahoe Amusement Park

2401 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, CA  (530) 541-1300

Virginia City

Visitor Center, 86 S. “C” St., Virginia City, NV 89440   (775) 847-4386

Historic Virginia City is the epicenter of the world-famous gold and silver mining boom that transformed people from poor to prosperous overnight.  When you visit Virginia City, it’s like stepping back in time 150 years

Wild Island Water slides and wave pool, mini golf, Formula K raceway.

Reno/ Sparks (775) 331-9453

 

Train Rides

 

Nevada State Railroad Museum –

2180 South Carson St., Carson City, Nevada 89710    (775) 687-6953

Virginia & Truckee Railroad

F Street and Washington Virginia City, Nevada   (888)-949-9991 x101 

The railroad offers a 35 minute narrated train ride from F Street Station in Virginia City to Gold Hill, Nevada. Great  scenic views and lots of history fill this trip.

Virginia City Trolley

Visitor Center,  86 S. “C” St.,  Virginia City, NV 89440    (775)-847-4386

Take a 20 minute narrated ride through Virginia City and see Silver Terrace Cemetery, famous mansions, banks and saloons and their significance to Virginia City’s colorful history.

 

Walking Tours

 

Taylor Creek Visitor Center –  South Lake Tahoe

3 miles north of the “Y” on Hwy. 89 past the Tallac Historic Site.

More than just a travel store for the Forest Service, the complex is home to many exciting activities such as:  The Stream Profile Chamber which has served as the primary attraction for the complex since it was constructed in 1968.  The Chamber provides a view of the stream environment by allowing visitors to study a diverted section of Taylor Creek.  More >>

And four nature trails including: The Rainbow Trail, The Tallac Historic Site Trail, The Lake of the Sky Trail, Smokey’s Trail .

The Visitor Center also offers  items for purchase such as maps, brochures, souvenirs, hiking permits and other items.  More >>

 

Go to Parks & Beaches Page…

 

Water Skiing

 

Birkholm’s Water Ski School

1418 Skyline Dr, South Lake Tahoe, CA – (530) 573-1928

Goldcrest Water Ski School Inc.

8194 N Lake Blvd., Kings Beach, CA (530) 546-7412‎

High Sierra Water Ski School – Water Skiing

– 1850 West Lake Blvd., 2 miles south of Tahoe City (530) 583-7417

– 5190 West Lake Blvd., 7 miles south of Tahoe City (530) 525-1214

Lake Tahoe Water Ski School – Camp Richardson Marina

1900 Jameson Beach Rd., South Lake Tahoe, CA (530) 544-7747‎

 

Wind Surfing

  
  

  

 

What’s on Tap

Events

Lake Tahoe Festivals & Events:

 

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival—7/8 – 8/21

North Lake—Imagine your toes in the sand, a fantastic bottle of wine nearby, a gourmet meal in hand and first-class entertainment before you…

Labor Day Lake Tahoe Fireworks Extravaganza—9/4/16 @ 08:30 PM

South Lake—This pyrotechnic exhibition explodes over Lake Tahoe after dusk and features a variety of patterns, shapes, and designs.

Big Band Jazz Concert at the Sugar Pine Point State Park—9/4/16

West Lake—Concert goers are encouraged to bring a picnic, low-back chairs, blankets, and be prepared to have fun.

The Great Reno Balloon Race—9/9 – 9/11/16

Reno—This is the 35th year for one of Reno’s most colorful and spectacular events! It attracts nearly 100 hot air balloons

For more event information, click on our Festivals & Events page for Half Moon Bay.
  
  

Attractions

Top Attractions:

Winter Outdoor Activities  – 2015/16

The ski areas were finally blessed with SNOW! The recent drought took its toll, but finally were seeing some action…

Summer Outdoor Activities – 2016

Lake Tahoe  – In a couple of months, Lake Tahoe will be bursting with outdoor activities!

Desolation Wilderness Area 

Awesome hiking from late spring to late summer. 

 

For more information on local attractions, click on the Lake Tahoe Attractions or Recreational Activities.
  
  

 

Advisories

The Region’s Fall Advisories:
  
Traffic Conditions. During the summer months, Lake Tahoe is inundated with tourists making driving challenging. Another issue, is the warm summer months are the best to complete road work. This combination can create very long delays in certain sections. Go to www.caltrans.com to learn about road conditions. 

Yes, It’s Still Water! California’s extreme drought has created some long-term consequences. If you are planning a lake vacation be sure to check about water levels. That rafting trip, fishing, or skiing may be impacted. It has also create EXTREME fire conditions, so be sure to check with local authorities about campfire and camp stove regulations.   

The Plague! It sounds medieval, but chipmunks and squirrels around Lake Tahoe can carry the Plague and health officials urge caution. Click here to learn more.

Yellow Jackets! I don’t know why it’s so bad this season, but from Tahoe City south  along the beaches the bees are everywhere! Click here to learn more.
  
  

  
  
  

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