Lake Tahoe Summer Vacation (10 Amazing Activites at Lake Tahoe in Summer)
Are you ready to plan a Lake Tahoe summer vacation? Want to experience the best things to do at Lake Tahoe in Summer?
Awesome! You are in the right place! There are so many activities at Lake Tahoe in summer!
We recently went and loved it! We did some really fun things! Lake Tahoe during summer is incredible! I am excited to share what to do at Lake Tahoe in Summer with you.
In this post, we are going to list some of our favorite Lake Tahoe summer activities. Hiking, biking, and boating are just the beginning of all the fun things to do at Lake Tahoe in the summer.
This list will help you plan the perfect Lake Tahoe summer vacation. There are so many people that plan Lake Tahoe summer vacations every year because it has so much to offer!
I can’t believe how many people I met that said they spend every summer in Lake Tahoe! I guess it is no surprise because of all the activities Lake Tahoe has to offer. It is really a nice vacation destination.
Let’s start planning out all of the activities at Lake Tahoe in summer, so your Lake Tahoe summer vacation will be perfect!
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Where is Lake Tahoe?
Before we jump into all the fun things to do in Lake Tahoe in summer let’s go over some logistics.
Nevada or California?
One of the main questions people ask is “Is Lake Tahoe in California or Nevada?” It is actually in both! The state line divides Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe is located high in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Closest City to Lake Tahoe
Another good question is “What is the closest large city to Lake Tahoe?” Carson City Nevada is the closest city. It is about 30 minutes from Lake Tahoe.
Reno, Nevada is the closest large city. It takes about 50 minutes to drive from Reno to Lake Tahoe.
Best Places to Stay in Lake Tahoe
There are so many amazing places to stay in Lake Tahoe in the Summer!
Resorts in Lake Tahoe in Summer
Lake Tahoe has some awesome ski lodges but during the summer these resorts are still great options.
In Nevada, you will find more hotels with Casino. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is one of the more popular resorts.
In South Lake Tahoe there are a lot of hotel options. From Hilton Vacation Clubs to Marriott Vacation Clubs and more.
Vrbo is also a great option. There are some nice cabins to rent in the area.
Camping at Lake Tahoe in Summer
Camping is also really popular in this area. There are campgrounds located all around Lake Tahoe.
Camp Richardson is a great option for both RV and tent camping. Summer in Lake Tahoe is a great RV destination. There are cute historic sites with a general store and an ice cream shop.
Things to Do in Lake Tahoe in Summer
There are so many fun things to do at Lake Tahoe in the summer. I am going to share some of the best activities at Lake Tahoe in summer. We were able to do almost all of these when we went!
Adding these Lake Tahoe activities to our Lake Tahoe summer vacation was perfect! I know you will like them too!
1. Heavenly Gondola - Lake Tahoe Summer Activities
Heavenly Ski Resort is one of the best things to do at Lake Tahoe in Summer. There are all sorts of fun activities at Lake Tahoe in Summer at Heavenly Ski Resort.
The most popular thing to do is to jump on the Gondola and ride to the top of the mountain. It is so beautiful and gives a fantastic Lake Tahoe summer view.
More Things to Do at Heavenly Resort in Summer Lake Tahoe
- Gem Stone Panning
- Heavenly Gondola
- Red Tail and Hot Shot Zip Line
- Granit Peak Climbing Wall
- Summer Tubing
- Hiking Trails
2. Go to the Best Beaches at Lake Tahoe in Summer
Beach time is the perfect Lake Tahoe summer activity. Just be aware that all of the beaches have an admission price between $10-$15.
Kings Beach and Sand Harbor
The most popular Lake Tahoe beach is Kings Beach. But there are lots of other great options all around the lake. I think Sand Harbor is the most beautiful beach at Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe during summer can be very crowded. We went to Lake Tahoe in June and it wasn’t bad at all. I think if you go to Lake Tahoe in July and August you will hit the crowds.
I will list some of the best beaches around Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe Summer Beach Time
- Chimney Beach
- Secret Cove
- Kings Beach
- Common Beach
- Nevada’s Beach
- Zephyr Cove
- Sand Harbor
- Pope Beach
- Emerald Bay
- Baldwin Beach
There are a lot of beaches at Lake Tahoe. The best activities in Lake Tahoe in summer happen on the beach. You can rent kayaks or paddleboards, relax,
Best Things to Do in Summer at Lake Tahoe on the Beach
- Kayak
- Paddleboard
- Swim
- Relax
3. Hikes of Lake Tahoe in Summer
Hiking at Lake Tahoe is one of the best activities at Lake Tahoe in summer. This area is so beautiful! Trail running is one of my favorite things to do in Lake Tahoe in Summer.
We were able to go on many of the trails and hike some of the most popular hikes in the area.
Favorite Hikes at Lake Tahoe
- Rubican Trail
- Monkey Rock
- Lower Eagle Falls
- Van Sickle
Basically, any trail in D.L. Bliss State Park is gorgeous! If hiking is on your Lake Tahoe summer vacation plans, D.L. Bliss is the place.
4. Lake Tahoe Summer Boating
A list of the best things to do at Lake Tahoe in the summer would not be complete without including the number one activity – Boating.
Lake Tahoe Summer Activity – Boating
There are marina’s all around Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is 22 miles from top to bottom. There are plenty of areas to cruise around.
If you have your own boat then you are good to go. If you need to rent a boat there are lots of options.
Boating Activities
There are also special boating adventures. You can do a sailing cruise, speed boat tour, or sunset cruise.
5. Kayaking at Lake Tahoe in Summer
Kayaking is one of the best activities at Lake Tahoe in summer. There are several areas where you can rent kakays and paddle around.
The Top Three Locations for Kayaking
If you want to include kayaking in your Lake Tahoe Summer vacation plans. I would book ahead of time. Lake Tahoe summertime can be very busy!
All three of these locations have rental sites right on the beach.
Sand Harbor Kayaking
Sand Harbor is gorgeous! You can even book glass-bottom kayaks. We decide to rent in this area and had so much fun! There are 3 zones where you can go. If the weather is looking rough you will have to stick to zone 1.
There are different types of kayaks. You can rent a single-person, double, and even triple. They told us that if you rent a triple and put more than 1 adult in it, there is a strong chance you will get dumped!
We rented all 3 types. I was in the triple with 2 eight-year-olds. We had a fun time and didn’t tip over!
Prices vary depending on the amount of time you are out on the water and how big the kayaks are.
Zephyr Cove
Zephyr Cove has a ton of rental options. The beach is very nice and there are lots of areas where you can kayak. The rental facility is right on the beach.
Tahoe City Marina
Tahoe City is on the Northwest side of Lake Tahoe. This is a great spot to go on guided kayak tours. You can also rent kayaks and venture out on your own.
6. Biking Tahoe in Summer
Biking at Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular activities at Lake Tahoe in summer.
The South Rim Trail is gorgeous and a great place to rent e-bikes.
You can also rent bikes in North Lake Tahoe or East Lake Tahoe and even South Lake Tahoe.
Camp Richardson Biking
Camp Richardson area is a great place to rent bikes. There is an amazing bike trail on this side of the lake. You can check out all the historic sites in this area by bike.
You can stop at the ice cream shop, general store, Baldwin Museum, and the Lake Tahoe Visitor Center.
7. Best Things to Do at Lake Tahoe - Helicopter Tour
A Lake Tahoe summer vacation is the perfect time to take in the best views. One of the best things to do in Lake Tahoe in summer is enjoy a helicopter ride.
I have looked a helicopter tours all over the United States, Lake Tahoe offers one of the most reasonably priced helicopter tours I have seen.
Activities at Lake Tahoe in Summer – Helicopter Tours
If you have ever wanted to do a helicopter tour then Lake Tahoe is a great place to give it a try.
There are a few options. You can take a shorter ride in certain areas of the lake like Sand Harbor, Zephyr Cove or Emerald Bay, or a longer Helicopter ride around the entire Lake. These tours have breathtaking views of waterfalls and of Lake Tahoe.
8. Lake Tahoe Summer Photo Session
There are some amazing spots to take photos at Lake Tahoe in the summer.
If you love taking photos of nature you can book a small group photo tour. The guide will take you around to some of the most beautiful sights at Lake Tahoe in the summer!
Family Pictures at Lake Tahoe in Summer
Honestly, Lake Tahoe in summer is so gorgeous. Getting married at Lake Tahoe in summer is a thing. The serene natural beautiful backdrops are perfect for photos!
If you are planning a family reunion at Lake Tahoe, be sure to book a photo session!
Tahoe in summer is a great place to take family pictures! This area is great for engagement, wedding, senior, or really any special occasion photo session.
9. Lake Tahoe Summer Scenic Drive
If you are looking for relaxing activities at Lake Tahoe in the summer, a scenic drive is the perfect idea. There are many places to visit in Lake Tahoe!
Scenic Drive in Lake Tahoe in Summer
Seriously, it takes 3 hours to make a complete circle around the lake. I like to break it down. Maybe a scenic drive in North Lake Tahoe one day and then a scenic drive in South Lake Tahoe another day and so on.
It is so beautiful! The roads can get crowded, so early in the morning or later in the evening is the best time to drive around Lake Tahoe.
You can also buy a Lake Tahoe audio guide while you drive to learn about the area.
10. Visit Vikingsholm
A really fun thing to do at Lake Tahoe in the Summer is visiting the castle Vikinshom.
Vikingsholm is located near Emerald Bay. You can hike down from Vista Point. Once you reach the bottom you will want to go to the visitor center and purchase tickets for a tour of the castle.
The tour cost $18 for adults.
Vikingsholm
We really wanted to go but arrived at exactly 2:00 pm and told us the 2:00 pm tour had already started and we would have to wait until 3:00 pm! We were so bummed!
Lake Tahoe Summer Vacation
Are you ready to plan a Lake Tahoe summer vacation?! I hope you get to do some of these awesome Lake Tahoe summer activities. There seriously are so many things to do at Lake Tahoe in the summer.
There are so many things to do in Lake Tahoe in June. It is a great time to go. Lake Tahoe in July is also great. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with a Lake Tahoe summer vacation.
One thing that really helped us was the Marriott Vacation Club has a concierge that told us exactly where to go and what to see. This was perfect for our first time at Lake Tahoe in the summer.
If you have any more questions, be sure to ask in the Facebook Group.
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Lake Tahoe sounds like a great summer vacation destination. Lots of great outdoor things to do!
It is a great outdoor location!
We have camped at Lake Tahoe. We agree, it is a beautiful place. Love the hiking.
That would be awesome! What great camping spot!
I would love to go to Lake Tahoe in the summer! Kayaking on the lake and taking the gondola ride both sound like a lot of fun!
We did the kayaking and it was fun!
I love the look of the beach. It’s so different from what I would expect. Overall – a beautiful location!
Totally! It is a beautiful area!
We were in Lake Tahoe at the Marriott Vacation Club this winter. There was so much snow they closed the ski lifts. Summer looks much more enjoyable!
Wow, yes it was a crazy winter!
Lake Tahoe looks amazing. Another place to add to my ever-growing list. The scenic drive, hikes, and helicopter ride would be my top 3 things to do.
Yes, you need to go!
I’ve never been to Lake Tahoe. This 7-day itinerary would be perfect for me!
It is a fun Lake Tahoe Itinerary!
Visiting Lake Tahoe is a dream of mind that I hope to fulfill someday. It looks absolutely breathtaking! There seems to be so many things to do at Lake Tahoe in the summer. Hiking, biking, and kayaking would be my top picks.
Perfect outdoor adventure!
A Lake Tahoe summer vacation sounds wonderful! These are great activities to enjoy while there.
It is a great summer destination!
There are so many great things to do on a Lake Tahoe vacation. This summer list is fantastic. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks! Yes, it is gorgeous!
Lake Tahoe looks like a wonderful place to vacation for summer! I love the beaches. They look so nice!
It is the perfect summer destination!