Anna’s Hiking & Adventure Guide to Lake Tahoe, California + Nevada

Lake Tahoe, a large fresh water lake that is over 20 million years old, is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, in both California and Nevada. It is the largest alpine lake in North America and the second deepest (at 1,645ft) next to Crater Lake. In the summer, it is home to endless hiking and biking trails, boating, kayaking, swimming, camping and fishing. In winter, you can enjoy world class skiing at 15 different ski resorts in the surrounding areas. This post will contain recommendations for hiking, kayaking, food and camping during the summer months.

Hikes:

•Rubicon Point Lighthouse Trail - 2.5 miles RT, 500ft elevation gain, located inside D.L. Bliss State Park in South Lake Tahoe

•Eagle Falls + Emerald Bay via Lighthouse and Rubicon Trail - this trail is 16.4 miles RT and has 2,306ft elevation gain, we hiked from the road just above Upper Eagle Point Camground to Eagle Falls and back, this route was 6.2 miles RT and about 700ft elevation gain, you will begin this hike going downhill; South Lake Tahoe

Excursions:

•Kayak Tahoe - we rented kayaks at Pope Beach, just east of Emerald Bay

Food:

•Caliente - Mexican cantina in Kings Beach, this restaurant has a beautiful rooftop patio and was the perfect place for a birthday celebration

•Sprouts Cafe - clean, fresh and whole food in South Lake Tahoe. Sandwiches, salads, wraps, bowls, burritos, burgers, nachos, smoothies, juices and wellness shots - pictured below is The Rice Bowl; brown rice, beans, carrots, red cabbage, melted Monterey cheese, salsa and green onion

Camping:

My number 1 tip for camping in Tahoe is - plan ahead. Otherwise you will be changing campgrounds every day. It was difficult to find more than 2 consecutive nights at any of the campgrounds in the area. Reservations may be made 6 months in advanced, here.

•Meeks Bay Campground - this Camground is stunning, make sure and catch the sunset over the lake by taking the short walk to the beach, swimming is also allowed

•Fallen Leaf Camground - if you have the time, take the drive to check out Fallen Leaf Lake

•William Kent Camground - this campground is closer to houses and restaurants than the other two, and feels less secluded, however still has incredible sunset views just a short walk across the street