Lake Tahoe Information

Lake Tahoe forms a natural lake that borders California and Nevada in the Northern Sierra Mountain Range. The USDA Forest Service manages approximately 78% of public lands around Lake Tahoe. The Environmental Protection Agency works with 16 California, Nevada, and U.S. governmental agencies, and the Washoe Tribe to protect and manage Lake Tahoe in the best interest of its natural resources.

The U.S. Forest Service manages the land in the Lake Tahoe Basin as a unique National Forest, called the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU). Lake Tahoe covers 122,600 acres with 72 miles of shoreline, a maximum depth of 1,645 feet, and an average depth of 1,000 feet. The Truckee River is Lake Tahoe’s only outflow and  63 streams and two hot springs feed it. Approximately two-thirds of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline is in California. 

The lake's largest city, South Lake Tahoe, California, which adjoins the town of Stateline, Nevada. Tahoe City, California, sits on the lake's southwestern shore. Kings Beach, California, and Incline Village, Nevada, anchor the lake's northern shore. Highways run along the lake for much of Tahoe's perimeter. Many important parts of the shoreline lie within state parks or are protected by the U.S. Forest Service. There is never a poor season for visiting Lake Tahoe because it is an exciting adventure during no matter what the season. 

A mix of conifer forests of California incense-cedar, Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, western white pine, and white and red fir, significant areas of wet meadows, riparian areas, dry meadows, brush fields, and rock outcrop areas at higher elevations surrounds Lake Tahoe and inhabits the Tahoe Basin. The residential population of Lake Tahoe is about 40,000. During some days of peak season, the population can reach 300,000. Approximately 15 million people visit Lake Tahoe every year.  


Lake Tahoe History

Tahoe’s first privately owned dam emerged as a result of the Battle of the Big Four, which included Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, and the other powerful owners of the Union Pacific Railroad versus the Big Bore, San Francisco citizens. California’s powerful rail and timber barons faced off against San Francisco’s parched citizens for control of Tahoe’s water in the 1860s. The Truckee River General Electric Company built Lake Tahoe’s present dam between 1909 and 1913. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation bought the rights to the dam in 1915. 

John C. Fremont and Charles Preuss climbed Red Lake Peak at Carson Pass, named after his guide, Kit Carson, and saw Lake Tahoe about 20 miles directly north on February 14, 1844. Before 1844, the Washoe Tribe of Native Americans had lived at Lake Tahoe for over 10,000 years, as evidenced by artifacts. Chief Truckee of central Nevada called westward-bound settlers his brothers. 

A Paiute Indian chief and medicine man living in central Nevada took on the name Chief Truckee as he rode toward the first immigrants he saw near his territory shouting “tro-kay”. His word translates to “everything is alright”. The immigrants thought he was introducing himself and that was his name. Chief Truckee adopted the name. He became fluent in Spanish, learned to read and write English, and was the father of Chief Winnemucca and grandfather to Sarah Winnemucca. 

The Maidus (Nisenan) were a peaceful, semi-nomadic, California tribe who survived as hunter-gatherers and fishermen living in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Historians estimate that there were 4,000 Northern Maidus before the 1848 Gold Rush. The Maidu’s territory sat in the middle of one of the first discovered gold fields. The rush of settlers and prospectors depleted their food supplies and resources. 

The government placed bounties on the Maidu’s lives. After 1848, their population decreased to 330 tribe members. Commercial fishing at Lake Tahoe also destroyed an important resource of the Washoe people, which forced the Washoes to depend on jobs at ranches and farms and in cities. After the Gold Rush came the silver Comstock Lode near Virginia City, the richest known deposit of silver, and the timber barons. The economic activities begun in 1849 with the Gold Rush and then the silver and gold mines in the Washoe from 1859 led to Nevada statehood in 1864.

The Central Pacific Railroad completed the western section of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1868. Today, this railway runs roughly along the Truckee River. By the late 1800s, San Franciscans flocked to Lake Tahoe for vacations. Visitors could take the South Pacific train from San Francisco all the way to Truckee, California, then the Lake Tahoe Railway would roll them into Tahoe City, where they checked into a nearby lodging option or boarded a steamship that would drop them at several spots around Lake Tahoe.

The Ta-Neva-Ho, today’s Cal-Neva Resort, opened as the first casino in Crystal Bay at Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe Biltmore and others followed. The Cal-Neva witnessed a series of short-lived and occasionally famous owners, including Frank Sinatra. Sinatra added the Celebrity Showroom and a helicopter pad on the roof to the resort, which was used frequently by Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Sam Giancana.

Today, the Tahoe Basin is the same stunning natural wonderland where the Indians lived 10,000 years ago and an exciting playground. Tourism remains the Lake Tahoe region’s main economic fuel. The rich and famous continue to enjoy the beautiful lake winter and summer, while abundant wildlife lives semi-harmoniously with humans.


Lake Tahoe Fishing

Predominant game species include largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, brown bullhead, crappie, kokanee salmon, brown, lahontan cutthroat, mackinaw (aka macks and lake trout), and rainbow trout. The most popular fish is mackinaw year-round and then kokanee salmon during the warmest months. 

Mackinaw trout prefer temperatures of 52ºF and colder and roam around Lake Tahoe looking for their temperature sweet spot. Anglers find them in different parts of the lakes throughout the year, but March through June brings in the biggest macks. Macks weigh from 5 to 20 pounds. In Lake Tahoe, macks often gather around steep ledges or shelves where the water drops rapidly to 100 feet or more.  

Macks can rise and descend easily in these areas while following bait fish or finding more comfortable temperatures. Anglers experiment with depths in Lake Tahoe, and around 80 feet is a good estimate for depth for first-time anglers on Lake Tahoe. Macks may be a bit closer to the surface in the colder months and much deeper during the summer. 

A Tahoe City fish hatchery introduced kokanee salmon to Lake Tahoe in 1944. The kokanee began to spawn in Taylor Creek a few years later, and annual stocking of salmon fingerlings began soon after. Kokanee swim in large schools and circle the lake typically clockwise over and over throughout the year. Drought years force the salmon to spawn in Lake Tahoe’s other 63 tributaries, but they prefer the two-mile Taylor Creek for spawning that connects Lake Tahoe to Fallen Leaf Lake. 

Lake Tahoe bass fishing is best in one section of the lake, the Tahoe Keys area, on the southern border of the lake near Taylor Creek. Their spawn occurs from May to June, when anglers catch the biggest largemouth and smallmouth bass at five pounds or more. Bluegill and crappie fishing is best in spring and summer, especially around boat docks in the Tahoe Keys area.

Fishing is permitted anywhere on Lake Tahoe with either a California or Nevada fishing license. Any person, 16 years of age or older, must have a valid California or Nevada sport fishing license to fish in Lake Tahoe.  Surrounding lakes and streams require a license for the state in which the angler is fishing. Fishing in Lake Tahoe is legal one hour before sunrise to two hours after sunset. In all other bodies of water in the Lake Tahoe Basin (Sierra District), fishing is legal one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

Live bait in Lake Tahoe is limited to the Lahontan redside shiner, Lahontan speckled dace, Lahontan mountain sucker, Tahoe sucker, Piute sculpin, and Tui chub because they are native to the lake. Chumming is illegal. Lake Tahoe is open to fishing year-round. Several Lake Tahoe tributary streams are closed to fishing year-round. Some streams are catch and release only. Anglers need to check on current fishing regulations in California and Nevada before fishing on Lake Tahoe and its tributaries. 

Anglers who want a no-hassle fishing adventure will find plenty of fishing guides in California and Nevada at Lake Tahoe, with about 20 charter services operating on the lake. Reservations are recommended because Lake Tahoe is busy with fish year-round. Most guide services focus on trout and salmon charters, but you can find a guide that will go after another species if you like. 

Check out experienced local pro guides on our Lake Tahoe Fishing Guides page. 


Lake Tahoe Boating

Beautiful mountains and lush greenery surround Lake Tahoe with its sparkling blue waters. Lake Tahoe is a hub for not only boating but almost every type of water activity. However, there are important regulations for every boater to follow before embarking on a boating adventure at Lake Tahoe.

Every personal boat or other watercraft entering Lake Tahoe needs to be inspected for invasive species that may be hidden in or on the vessel.

  • There are plenty of roadside inspection stations on the main highways leading to Lake Tahoe on the California and Nevada sides.
  • All boaters need to purchase what is called the “Tahoe In and Out Pass,” which not only allows inspected boats to enter the lake but includes unlimited inspections during a calendar year. These passes are sold at all inspection stations.
  • This pass includes unlimited inspections during the calendar year for personal watercraft up to 17 and cost $60. For boats larger than 17 feet, the fee is $100. There are also Tahoe-Only passes. These are reserved for wire inspection sealed boats from previous seasons that will only be launched in Lake Tahoe. This fee is $45. Single inspection passes are $50 for boats up to 17 feet or $75 for vessels larger than 17 feet.
  • The Decontamination Fee costs $15 for a single system or wet ballast, $40 for multiple systems or wet ballasts, and $200 if there are mussels attached to the vessel.

Lake Tahoe boating laws and regulations:

  • There is a strict no wake zone 600 feet from every shoreline around the entire lake with a 5 mph speed limit.
  • Even if you do not see a No Wake Zone Sign or a No Wake Zone Buoy, you must obey the zone limits until you are 600 feet away from shore.
  • Any area within 100 feet of a swimming/paddling area and 200 feet of a structure is a No Wake Zone on Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe boating laws pertaining to boat operators and captains: 

  • In Nevada, all boat captains born in 1983 or later must pass a boater education course to be eligible to drive a vessel.
  • In California, all boaters 45 years of age or younger must pass an approved boater safety education examination for a California Boater Card.
  • Carburated two-stroke engines are not allowed on Lake Tahoe. Only four-stroke engines or injected two-stroke engines are legal.

Scuba diving on Lake Tahoe is most common March through October, but for those equipped with drysuits, visibility is best in winter, when boat traffic dies down. Plan dives for early morning to avoid crowds and enjoy calm water no matter what the season. Dive sites around the lake include Sand Harbor, the beaches in front of Meeks Bay Resort, Carnelian West Beach, and Rubicon Wall. Sand Harbor is the most popular destination and full of interesting sites for all dive levels. 

Dive flags are required on Lake Tahoe. Diving charters for hire visit four partial wrecks on the Emerald Bay Maritime Heritage Trail. The few dive shops that operate on Lake Tahoe rent gear and tanks, but many shops from the surrounding area also organize trips, lead shore dives, and offer training outings on the lake.

Lake Tahoe boasts sprawling beaches and has ample room for boating adventures. A few restaurants offer valet boat services and gourmet dining options on the north and south shores. Some of the best views from the water are of Emerald Bay on the southern California side. Fannette Island in Emerald Bay features a tea house. Each of the 14 marinas on Lake Tahoe has a unique history, but not all of them have a boat ramp. 

Fannette Island is Lake Tahoe’s only island. It is a sparsely timbered, brush covered mass of granite that rises 150-feet above the water. The Lake Tahoe Marina Association promotes electric boats that do not dump fuel into the lake. Most of the marinas offer boat rentals and high-end services that will meet you and even provide a boat captain if you like, plus other boat rental services ring around the lake. 

Shop or sell a boat on our Lake Tahoe Boats for Sale page. 

Plan your trip to Lake Tahoe by calling one of the marinas today on our Lake Tahoe Marinas page. 


Lake Tahoe Real Estate

The Lake Tahoe homes for sale market is a historically strong real estate market with barely any homes less than $500,000 and the average home price is over $900,000. Properties perceived as a good value sell quickly, while overpriced homes wait with minimal showings, which often lead to price reductions. Communities with lake homes dot the shoreline of Lake Tahoe, and most are regulated by HOAs, plus there are deed restrictions. 

Five school districts serve Lake Tahoe and are located around the lake. There are a few shopping areas around the lake, boutique stores, and two Walmart Supercenters in Carson City, Nevada, about 12 miles from the eastern border of Lake Tahoe. Sacramento, California, and Reno, Nevada are the closest metroplexes to Lake Tahoe. The restaurants and nightlife are mostly in north and South Lake Tahoe. Reno, Nevada, has the closest international airport. 

To find your dream home, explore our Lake Tahoe Homes for Sale page.


Lake Tahoe Cabin Rentals

Some of the state parks, private parks, and private owners offer cabin rentals, and private vacation home and cabin rentals are in communities on the shores of Lake Tahoe. South Lake Tahoe, California, has banned short-term rental lodging. There is a zone called the Tourist Core in South Lake Tahoe with a few vacation homes and condominiums. Other communities in both states have strict regulations on short-term rentals. The Camp Richardson Resort features 41 cabins, a marina, and a restaurant. 

It is best to call each park about cabin rentals and research each vacation home thoroughly before making a commitment to a reservation. Visitors need to make sure of the rules and regulations governing their rental choices. The Lake Tahoe short-term rental options feature the most modern-styled homes with a cornucopia of amenities that can accommodate one to large parties of vacationers. Visitors can find many private rentals on vrbo.com or airbnb.com. 

Find the perfect vacation home on our Lake Tahoe Cabins page.


Lake Tahoe Camping

Campfires & Fire Restrictions

  • National Forest System lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin are under year-round fire restrictions. This means wood and charcoal fires are only permitted within metal fire rings in developed campgrounds.  
  • Campfires and charcoal are never permitted in Desolation Wilderness or Meiss Country; along the Pacific Crest or Tahoe Rim trails, on National Forest roads, trails or trailheads, in rock fire rings, on National Forest beaches, or in the general forest.
  • Propane appliances with an on/off valve are allowed with a valid California Campfire Permit as long as seasonal fire restrictions are not in effect.
  • Seasonal fire restrictions can go into effect during periods of increased fire danger. This means wood, charcoal fires, and propane appliances may be restricted.

California Lake Tahoe Camping

California offers three state parks with RV and tent camping, the Tahoe State Recreation Area at Highway 28, Tahoe State Park at North Lake Boulevard, Tahoe City, California, The Ed Z’burg Sugar Pine Point State Park at 7360, CA-89, Tahoma, California, and D. L. Bliss State Park at 9881 CA-89, South Lake Tahoe California. 

The Tahoe State Recreation Area has 23 campsites with picnic tables, required-use food storage containers, and fire pits, with three ADA accessible sites. Showers and restrooms are available for registered campers. The Tahoe SRA does not have hook-ups or dump stations and is best for tent camping or smaller trailers and RVs. This park is open seasonally and, depending on the weather, opening and closing dates change yearly.

The D. L. Bliss State Park offers 165 campsites with four ADA accessible sites. This is a historic campground with small roads, small campsites, and small parking pads. This campground does not have RV hook-ups, but there is a dump station available for registered campers. This park is open seasonally and, depending on the weather, opening and closing dates change yearly.

The Ed Z’burg Sugar Pine Point State Park offers ten group sites and a total of 175 sites with eight ADA accessible sites. Each site has parking, a cooking facility, water, a trash bin, and a tent pad. Six combination restroom/shower buildings in the campground are accessible. Routes of travel from campsites to restrooms and the Campfire Center are accessible. Van accessible parking is available at the Campfire Center. This park is open year-round.

All food, beverages, and toiletries are required by law to be stored in provided food lockers except when food is being prepared or eaten. Black bears are active at all state parks. Metal bear-resistant food lockers are provided in each campsite.  Ice chests must not be stored in vehicles and must be stored in food storage lockers. The inside dimensions of the food lockers 36" deep, 43" wide, and 22" high. Violations will be cited. Food, beverages, ice chests, and trash must be stored in food lockers during day and night hours.

Additional California Lake Tahoe Campgrounds:

  • Camp Richardson Resort: 41 cabins, 88 RV sites with full and partial hookups, 84 tent sites, ice cream parlor, coffee shop, general store, hotel, full-service marina, and bar and grill, and open year-round.
  • City of Lake Tahoe Campground: 1 cabin, 6 tent cabins, and 175 tent sites. There are no water or electric hookups. Open seasonally. 
  • Eagle Point Campground: 100 sites, water faucets in the campground, no hook-ups, paid showers, flush toilets, and dogs allowed with restrictions. Open from May to September. 
  • Emerald Bay Boat Camp: 20 primitive tent sites. Each site has a table, a storage locker, and a fire ring. This camp has chemical toilets but no showers, and is only open in the summer.  
  • Kaspian Recreation Area: 9 walk-in primitive tent sites with a picnic table, bear-proof food locker, fire ring, a small picnic area, a beach, and open seasonally.
  • Lake Forest Campground: 20 sites for tents and vehicles under 25 feet, first come/first served basis, a boat launch, a beach, and open April to October. 
  • Meeks Bay Campground: 40 ADA, RV sites up to 20 feet, and tent sites, BBQ grills, picnic tables, drinking water, fire rings, food storage lockers, restrooms, showers, and open from May to October. 
  • William Kent Campground: 81 single-family campsites, 3 yurt sites, and 8 RV sites with picnic tables, drinking water, fire rings, food storage locker, grills, restrooms, and open May to October. 

Nevada Lake Tahoe Camping

Nevada offers one state park with campsites, Spooner Lake and Marlette Backcountry at Carson City, Nevada. 

Spooner Lake and Marlette Backcountry visitors can access three primitive campgrounds, each equipped with tent space, picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-aware food storage areas. You cannot camp anywhere else besides these three established campgrounds. The park also offers two cabins, which are equipped with only basic amenities, such as cot beds, a wood-burning stove, and a compostable toilet. Bring sleeping bags, food, cookware, and anything else you need. 

Additional Nevada Lake Tahoe Campgrounds:

  • Nevada Beach Campground: 54 tent and RV sites, picnic tables, campfire rings and grills, toilets, and drinking water.
  • Zephyr Cove RV Park and Campground: 93 full hookup RV sites, 47 walk-in tent sites, 10 drive-in tent sites, picnic tables, a fire ring and grate, food storage lockers, drinking water, flush toilets, showers, laundry facilities, vending machines, a beach, and RV cable TV and Wi-Fi. 

State Parks with Recreational Activities Only

Cave Rock State Park at US-50, Glenbrook, Nevada is Park is open from sunrise to sunset. The boat launch is open seasonally. 

Sand Harbor State Park at 2005 NV-28, Incline Village, Nevada, and Van Sickle Bi-State Park 30 Lake Pkwy, South Lake Tahoe, are not open for camping. 

Sand Harbor State Park at 2005 NV-28, Incline Village, Nevada, is open from 7 a.m to one hour after sunset to vehicles only. Visitors cannot walk into the park. Sand Harbor closes once the parking lot is full, and then reopens as parking spots open up. 

Van Sickle Bi-State Park is open to pedestrians year-round, from sunrise to sunset, and open to vehicles May 1 to October 31, sunrise to sunset.

Check out our list of campgrounds and RV parks for your family adventure on our Lake Tahoe Camping page.


Lake Tahoe Hiking

There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails at Lake Tahoe. Alltrails.com counts 110 trails at Lake Tahoe. The trails range from easy and/or paved ADA accessible to challenging skill levels. There are day-hikes, backcountry camping hikes, and short hikes. Almost every state and private park in California and Nevada has a trail system or trails. Visitors can check with the many Lake Tahoe ski resorts for hiking trails outside of ski season. 

The famous Rim Trail is an 11-day trail that entirely encircles Lake Tahoe. Besides hiking, many trails accommodate mountain bikes, ebikes, and equestrian trails. These are the best trail map links for hiking trails around Lake Tahoe with descriptions but do not include every trail:

Equestrian Trails

The Alpine Meadows Stables, Camp Richardson Corral, Sheridan Creak Equestrian Center, and Zephyr Cove Stables offer horseback camping trips. Bring your own horse to the equestrian trails at Lake Tahoe: 

  • Bayview Trail 
  • Big Meadows to Kingsbury
  • Brockway Summit to Tahoe City 
  • Carson Pass to Highway 50
  • Meeks Bay Trail 
  • Spooner Summit to Kingsbury 
  • Spooner Summit to Tunnel Creek. 

OHV Trails

Barker Meadow OHV Trail: Highway 89 South from Tahoe City four miles to Blackwood Canyon Road and turn west. Continue up Blackwood Canyon to Barker Pass Road.  Continue past the Ellis Peak trailhead for approximately two miles. Turn left at the junction, Forest Road 03, and continue another 3 miles. The trail is to the right and is marked by sign with Barker Meadow OHV Route. This is a 23-mile old logging road near Homewood, California for motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, and some 4X4s and open from June to November.

Blackwood Canyon OHV Staging Area: Barker Pass Rd, Tahoe City, California. This is a moderately challenging 20.7-mile trail and open from May to November.  

Rubicon Trail Jeep Tours: 7000 W Lake Blvd #721, Tahoma, California. Adventurers can drive their own rigs, drive Rubicon’s rigs, or ride with a Rubicon driver offering day-trips to 4-day trips, which includes off-roading, camping, fishing, and hiking for groups of 2 to 10 people and open year-round. 

Sand Pit 12N28: Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, California. Small, scenic, off-road ATV /motorcycle trails and a sandpit in two separate areas and open seasonally.  


Hunting Lake Tahoe

Hunting is permitted in the California and Nevada portions of the Lake Tahoe Basin during hunting seasons designated by the California State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Nevada Division of Wildlife. Hunting is not permitted in areas where the discharge of firearms is prohibited by County Ordinance. 

California State or local law, Nevada State or local law, or federal law determines hunting regulations. Hunters must follow all laws, including no hunting within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area. A valid California or Nevada hunting license is required. Big game species include mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, three sub-species of bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, and mountain goat. 

Nevada’s big game hunts are conducted by a random draw process and are available to those 12 years old or older. Applications are available in mid-March and the application deadline is around mid-April. A second drawing is conducted for remaining tags in June, and any remaining tags after that draw can be applied for on a first-come, first-served basis.

Mountain lion tags are available over the counter and furbearers can be hunted or trapped with a trapping license. Unprotected species like coyote and black-tailed jackrabbit may be hunted without a hunting license by both residents and nonresidents, but a trapping license is required to trap them. Hunters need to check with the U.S. Forest Service, California Fish and Wildlife Department, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife for current hunting regulations. 


Lake Tahoe Things to Do

Many Lake Tahoe restaurants trend toward upscale dining. Lake Tahoe cuisine embraces its locale along with the spicy tastes of the Southwest, smoky flavors of the Sierra Nevada, Americana dishes, sports bar and grills, indie coffee shops, breweries with handcrafted ales and beers, wineries, and funky bars. 

Lake Tahoe Golf Courses

  • Bijou Municipal Golf Course: 3464 Fairway Avenue, South Lake Tahoe, California. 
  • Incline Village Championship Golf Course: 955 Fairway Blvd., Incline Village, Nevada.
  • Incline Village Mountain Course: 690 Wilson Way, Incline Village, Nevada.
  • Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course: 180 Lake Parkway, Zephyr Cove, Nevada. 
  • Tahoe City Golf Course: 251 N. Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, California.
  • Tahoe Paradise Golf Course: 3021 US 50, South Lake Tahoe, California.

Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts

Check the ski resorts for Gondola Rides on and off season too. 

  • Alpine Skis: 1133 Ski Run Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, California. 
  • Granlibakken Ski & Sled Hill: 725 Granilibakken Road, Tahoe City, California. 
  • Heavenly Mountain Resort: California Lodge: 2860 Saddle Road, South Lake Tahoe, California. 
  • Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts: South Lake Tahoe, California. 
  • Nordic Ski Trails at the Lake Tahoe Community College: South Lake Tahoe, California.
  • Northstar California Resort: 5001 Northstar Drive, Truckee, California. 
  • Palisades Tahoe: 1960 Olympic Valley Road, Olympic California. 
  • Tahoe Cross-Country: 925 Country Club Drive, Tahoe City, California.

Lake Tahoe Tours

Tahoe Outdoor Adventures: Year-round guided snowshoe tours, hikes, and photography tours in South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, California. 

Wild West Day Trip from Lake Tahoe with Train Ride by Discover Lake Tahoe Tours & Bus Charters: Historic train ride with a guide. Start your day trip by minibus, driving along part of the Pony Express. When you reach Virginia City, a National Historic Landmark District, take a 6.5-mile round-trip train ride before enjoying free time in town to explore. Virginia City, Nevada. 

Morning Walks With High Sierra Pack Goats By High Sierra Pack Goats: Join a small group of humans and goats on a hike through the mountains. The goats wear saddles and panniers, meaning they can carry your jacket and your water while you walk. Carson City, Nevada. 

Four-Hour Lake Tahoe Polaris Slingshot Rentals by Tahoe Sling Shot: Cruise around Lake Tahoe in style in a Polaris Slingshot. Feel the wind and an adrenaline rush as you zip around on this speedy, three-wheeled open-air roadster. With a half-day rental, you have enough time to drive around the entire lake, with time for stops at highlights like Emerald Bay. South Lake Tahoe, California. 

Zephyr Cove Helicopter Tour by Tahoe Helicopters: This tour encompasses the entire south shore of Lake Tahoe, starting with a trip up the east shore into Nevada. After circling Zephyr Cove, the tour heads west along the south shoreline past Fallen Leaf Lake and Cascade Lake to Emerald Bay. South Lake Tahoe, California.  

Lake Tahoe Boat Tours

  • Boat Tahoe
  • Big Blue Charters
  • Discover Tahoe Chartered Cruises
  • Lake Tahoe Bleu Wave
  • Lake Tahoe Boat Charters
  • Lake Tahoe Boat Rides
  • Lake Tahoe Cruises / MS Dixie II
  • North Tahoe Cruises / Tahoe Gal
  • Safari Rose
  • Sail Tahoe Blue Sailing Charters 
  • Tahoe Cruises
  • Tahoe Emerald Bliss Boat Tour
  • Tahoe Lake Tours
  • Tahoe Sailing Charters
  • Tahoe Tastings: Wine tasting charter

Lake Tahoe Casinos

  • Bally’s Lake Tahoe
  • Border House a
  • Crystal Bay Casino
  • Dotty’s Casino
  • Grand Lodge Casino at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
  • Jim Kelly’s Nugget
  • Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe
  • Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
  • Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino

Plan the perfect day trip or vacation on our Things to Do at Lake Tahoe page. 


Lake Tahoe Zip Codes

California Lake Tahoe Zip Codes: 96140, 96141, 96142, 96143, 96145, 96146, 96150.

Nevada Lake Tahoe Zip Codes: 89413, 89448, 89449, 89451, 89703.


Lake Tahoe Weather & Climate

Lake Tahoe sees an average of 35 inches of rain per year, with no snow and 251 days of sunshine. The winter low in January is 33 degrees and a summer high in July of 88 degrees. Lake Tahoe itself does not get much snowfall, but the mountains surrounding it can get over 33 feet per year. May, June, and September are the most comfortable months for this region. January and December are the least comfortable months.

Keep your eyes on the skies with our Lake Tahoe Weather Forecast page.

Lake Tahoe Email Updates


 

Lake Tahoe Current Weather Alerts

There are no active watches, warnings or advisories.

 

Lake Tahoe Weather Forecast

Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 73

Saturday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 53

Sunday

Partly Sunny

Hi: 73

Sunday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 53

Monday

Partly Sunny

Hi: 73

Monday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 51

Tuesday

Sunny

Hi: 71

Tuesday Night

Clear

Lo: 50


Lake Tahoe Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 10/5: 7.39 (-6,217.61)



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