Lake Tahoe is a stunning, deep blue body of water that covers a 70-mile perimeter of the border of California and Nevada. This serene lake, also known as the Lake in the Sky, sits surrounded by stately mountains. In the winter, the ski resorts draw crowds from near and far. The Winter Olympics of 1960 were held here at Squaw Valley. This winter playground reputation is well deserved, but summer offers so many reasons to visit Lake Tahoe, too.
Recently I visited here the first week of summer. The weather reached highs in the 80s, the roads and hiking trails were clear of snow, and restaurants and shops that close in the winter were newly opened for business. Melting snow filled creeks, and the lake’s only outlet, the Truckee River, flowed with whitewater rapids. Here are a few highlights of summer at Lake Tahoe.
Head Out For a Hike
My favorite activity at Lake Tahoe is hiking. I’ll show you one of my go-to hiking routes, though you can choose from so many options. Whether you want a flat trail or a strenuous challenge, you can find it somewhere around the lake.
On the first day of summer, we headed to the Tahoe Meadows Trail on the north end of the lake, right above the little city of Incline Village. Stop at the nearby viewpoint on the highway for scenes like this.
The meadow is fairly flat, so it’s ideal for a hike with young children or senior dogs. The spring growth is so picturesque.
After an easy walk through the meadow, you meet up with the Tahoe Rim Trail. This encompasses the entire lake, but you can hike small portions of it. Climbing up, with a bit of huffing and puffing, you come out on fabulous views of Lake Tahoe.
We found wildflowers up here, too.
We ended up hiking about 5 hours, with a break for a picnic lunch. Perfect!
Pedal Your Way Along Lake Tahoe
Bike trails run right along the lakeshore and open in late spring. My favorite is the section from the Tahoe City dam south to Homewood ski resort on the west side of the lake. We took Bailey along with us in his basket and he was one happy pup. You can rent a bike in Tahoe City, Incline Village, or South Tahoe, then spend a blissful day gliding alongside the crystal blue waters.
If you’re a mountain bike enthusiast, you’re in luck. Trails allow bicycles, sometimes on alternate days so check the local postings. The ultimate mountain bike ride is the flume trail, high above the lake. It’s single track, so be careful, but you will love this ride if you’re looking for an adventure!
Enjoy Nature in the Summer Season
Another reason I enjoy Lake Tahoe in the early summer is that you can clearly see the year’s growth on the pine trees. These needles were curly because they had just popped out. By the next day I walked by this tree and they had straightened out. I felt like I was seeing nature unfold her wonders.
With most of the snow melted, the creek by our deck ran full and LOUD. The tumbling water rushing along is so relaxing.
The lake this year is full after a healthy winter snowfall. It’s as deep as 1,000 feet in places. Along the shore, the water is so clear you can see the rocks below.
While summer sees the lake more full, the creeks running, and green covering the ground where snow lay a few weeks before, one thing remains constant. The tall pines reach into the sky year round. I love gazing up at them.
Dive into Water Sports
Of course, summer at Lake Tahoe also means water sports. You can enjoy kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and all kinds of boats. Jet-skiing and parasailing are available in South Tahoe. The water in June is very cold, but I did watch a few people brave it and go in, with some accompany shrieks. Later in the summer the water is more welcoming.
You are bound to enjoy Lake Tahoe in the summer, whether you want to relax on a small beach or take a yoga class on a stand-up paddleboard. Just being in the presence of this vast blue treasure will leave you relaxed and refreshed.
Planning Where to Stay
We prefer the quiet north end of Lake Tahoe. Incline Village is our favorite small city. Little towns such as King’s Beach dot the north shore. Tahoe City, on the west side of the north end of the lake, has an abundance of rentals of boats, bikes, and kayaks. Camping is good on the west shore, south of Emerald Bay. South Tahoe is the place to head if you want to experience casinos and high-rise accommodations.
READ MORE ABOUT AWESOME THINGS TO DO AT LAKE TAHOE!
Enjoy a Weekend Getaway at Lake Tahoe in the Fall
Lake Tahoe Hike to Skunk Harbor
Finding Lake Tahoe’s Secret Incline Flume Trail
Hiking the Rubicon Trail at Lake Tahoe
Echoes of the Old West in Truckee
59 Comments
Was almost there this weekend, if it wasn’t for other engagements, because my daughter and family went there for a number of days! So beautiful and the water looks so clear! Many thanks for sharing your trails at Tahoe with All Seasons, Sharon! Have a great summer week!
Brrrr, that water is cold. Invigorating and wonderful in my younger days when I could and would swim in pristine mountain clear water. Ah, the memories, which you’ve taken me back to with your photos of Lake Tahoe beauty. Thanks, Saron!
Some of the bluest waters and skies I’ve ever seen where in Tahoe!
Oh we sure love Tahoe. My hubs grew up near there so it’s nice to go back “home” when we can.
Gorgeous photography Sharon. Thanks for another great post!
What a wonderful place to hike. We were there a few years ago and it was beautiful.
Hello, pretty views from your walk at Lake Tahoe. It is a beautiful area to visit. Bring back memories of my hike with hubby to Mt Tallac. Wonderful photos and post. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week! Happy 4th of July!
The blue of the water and sky with the mountains in the background is breathtaking. Perfect for hiking.
Oh your photos are just stunning, what a heavenly place! I am now dreaming of taking my family to Lake Tahoe, thank you for the inspiration! #MondayEscapes
Wonderful photos!
Spectacular photos! I especially like the one where the rocks show so clearly beneath the surface.
Kay
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
I’ve never been to Tahoe. You tempt me!
Thanks for linking up at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/07/july-4-images-from-dc.html
I can see why this is a popular vacation destination. Wow, that’s some awesome scenery!
Wow – those gorgeous crisp blue waters and those tall trees! Looks like a fabulous place for a hike. Thank you for taking us along. Happy travels. I am joining you today at Wednesday around the world.
My old stomping grounds. We lived there for 4 years when I was a child. So many hikes and swimming in that freezing lake, but we never cared because kids just don’t.
Gah, it’s beautiful there. The weather you had was amazing!! Those waters, so luring!
#WanderfulWednesdays
Wow, so gorgeous! That hiking trail reminds me of Yosemite! I’ve been in SF for almost three years now and still haven’t made it to Tahoe (we say we’ll go every single year). But a work friend has his family reunion there every September and absolutely loves it. I’ve got to hurry up and get there! #WanderfulWednesday
Lake Tahoe is one of my favourite places to relax. I frequented the Stateline side of the lake. Many of those pine trees are Jeffrey pines. If you put your nose up to the bark, they smell like vanilla.
I remember going to Lake Tahoe when I was a kid. The water there is amazingly clear. I am lucky to live surrounded by nature on a large glacial cut lake in British Columbia. I rarely want to travel in the spring and summer months. When the weather gets too cool and rainy we like to go south to Arizona, but usually to a city for sports. – Margy
What a lovely area – so beautiful!
Ah Lake Tahoe always brings back childhood memories! Used to go to Camp SAC up there! Would like to really explore the entire circuit! #FarawayFiles
I love Lake Tahoe so much! We visited last year for the first time and wonder why we didn’t visit before. Since it was our first visit, we circumnavigated the lake and did short hikes. I would like to go again and do more hiking (and seeing other lakes in the area). It is so magical up there! #feetdotravel
What a picturesque place to go for a hike! I’m not overly familiar with this area, but it has all the qualities we love when we are out in the great outdoors. It’s great to know there are areas great to take the kids as well. #farawayfiles
I’ve never been to Lake Tahoe but now I’m quite tempted. The scenery looks fantastic and it sounds like the walking is fantastic. Adding to the list. #farawayfiles
Look at those colours! It’s so beautiful. Lake Tahoe seems to be one of those places that Americans go skiing on TV programs we see in Britain! I can see that it’s stunning in summer too.
What a beautiful sunny day. And amazing views. I hope you’ll hook up with my new travel linky!
I visited Lake Tahoe is 2014 and loved it. Your pictures bring back so many memories. Lovely photos too! #theweeklypostcard
I’ve never been to Lake Tahoe in summer. We go to there every year, but for skiing. It must be a very different experience to see this beautiful place in warm weather. #TheWeelyPostcard
Wow! Looks like a stunning place. Thank you for sharing. I will pin this post with the hope of visiting one day.
Absolutely gorgeous photos. Planning our trip to CA and have four days left to fill. LT is a contender! thanks for sharing on #the weekly postcard
Lake Tahoe looks stunning, perfect for a hike. We still have not got to California but it is definitely on our to do list! #feetdotravel
Love this post and all of your photos! My next big trip is to California and we’ll be spending a couple of days in Lake Tahoe. I’m so excited to see it and am bookmarking this for later! #farawayfiles
It is beautiful Sharon — we haven’t traveled in California for several years and were talking about making a trip there this summer — but there are so many fires between here (Oregon) and there already and that terrible heat wave …. it is not looking good right now for a trip …. we may just ttravel in Oregon this season.
It looks so beautiful! I’ve never been but I want to go now!
This post makes me wish I visited Lake Tahoe much more when I lived in San Francisco. The color of the water is exquisite, and I love mountain towns in summer! We usually go out to CO every summer and do a lot of hiking. Maybe I’ll switch it up one year and do Tahoe. Thanks for linking up with #farawayfiles
I can see why it’s your favourite place for hiking! what a place;) Thanks for linking to #MondayEscapes
It definitely looks like you timed your visit perfectly! Everything is lush and green, the water was thick and flowing, a d that blue sky?? Just gorgeous. So glad you had a wonderful trip. Pinned. #feetdotravel
It is so beautiful there!! Love all of your shots too. Lakes are great for adventuring.
Talk about good timing – We were just telling some friends how pretty it is around Lake Tahoe, but we didn’t have any photos to show them. Bam – here’s your post! We’ll send them a link, and ask nicely if they’ll take us with when they go. It’s been far too long since we’ve been there! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard!
What a wonderful place to visit. Look at those views!
Sharon this post is utterly breathtaking, I so want to wander with my camera the contrast of the trees against the sparkling water is so beautiful thanks so much for linking up #Mondayescapes x
Such a beautiful place. Someday I’d like to go there.
Hiking is good for the soul, I really miss being in nature! Your pictures made me happy.
Lake Tahoe is very beautiful, I hope you get to go there again in late summer.
Lake Tahoe is so beautiful, it’s so high on my travel bucket list! Loved all your photos and your doggie is so cute! 🙂
Look at those blues! Wow–oh-wow! I was there last year, but didn’t spend nearly enough time there.
What I wouldn’t give to be at Lake Tahoe right now enjoying all the fresh air and outdoor activities. Hoping to add this to my travel list after the quarantine – I want to explore more of my own country. This would be a great place to start!
I hope you get to go back again this summer! I’ve only ever been there once in the summer but would love to go back–Tahoe is such a gorgeous place!
Love the pictures. Lake Tahoe looks mesmerizing with the backdrop of mountains. So much to do!
What beautiful photos! I know so many people that have visited Lake Tahoe, and they all have good things to say about it. I’m hoping to make it there next summer, thank you for the great itinerary/tips!
Would love to make it out to Lake Tahoe one day!
gorgeous pictures! I’ve only ever been in the winter, but adding a summer trip to my bucketlist.
Lake Tahoe has been on my list for quite some time now! Your pictures are beautiful and they make me want to visit soon
I haven’t been to Lake Tahoe yet, but I will have to add it to my list. It sure does look beautiful. Wow!
Lake Tahoe is one of the first places I want to go whenever I’m back in the states. It looks like such a beautiful place to visit great photos!
Definitely missing hikes and those clear blue skies Can’t wait to get back out there again!
My family loves Lake Tahoe! My aunt and uncle were married there. My parents had their honeymoon there. We’ve had lots of family reunions there as well. I lived in the Bay Area for 30 years and went in all the seasons it is such a wonderfully beautiful spot!
I’ve always wanted to get to Lake Tahoe. It just looks so daggone beautiful!
What a beautiful lake! Love your photos, you totally made me want to go! 🙂
Lake Tahoe is one of the places I’m looking at traveling in the USA either this year or next! Your photos are stunning, can’t wait to see them in real life!