What to see and do at Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
Lake Tahoe is located on the border of California and Nevada.
It is the largest alpine lake in North America and is known for its clear blue waters and the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains that surround the lake. The lake is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, with a depth of 1,645 feet.. While the majority of the lake's shoreline is in California, the eastern shoreline extends into Nevada. The Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive and the Tahoe Rim Trail are popular ways to exploring the region.
In the summer, visitors to the area can enjoy swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and hiking. The winter season brings opportunities for skiing and snowboarding. The Lake Tahoe region is known for its numerous ski resorts, which include Heavenly, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Northstar, and Mount Rose.
We visited Lake Tahoe on 12/26/2023. We took the scenic drive around the lake and stopped and numerous locations along the shore.
The Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, particularly in the city of Stateline, is known for its casinos, hotels and restaurants. Emerald Bay, on the west side of the lake, features Inspiration Point, Fannette Island and Vikingsholm, which is a Scandinavian-style mansion. The Truckee River flows out of the north end of the lake and down to Reno.
Viator offers numerous tours in the Lake Tahoe region. Click here for details.
Emerald Bay
Inspiration Point overlooking Emerald Bay
Fannette Island
Vikingsholm overlook
Lakeshore at El Dorado Beach
Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive
Truckee River outflow from the lake
Truckee River on the north side of the lake.
Snow on the north shore of the lake.