Lake Tahoe
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Overview
Shimmering in myriad shades of blue and green, Lake Tahoe is the USA’s second-deepest lake and, at 6245ft high, it is also one of the highest-elevation lakes in the country. Driving around the spellbinding 72-mile scenic shoreline will give you quite a workout behind the wheel. Generally, the north shore is quiet and upscale; the west shore, rugged and old-timey; the east shore, undeveloped; the south shore, busy and tacky, with aging motels and flashy casinos; and nearby Reno, the biggest little city in the region.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
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Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
Lake Tahoe
The largest, and arguably most luxurious of the state parks at Lake Tahoe, Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine State Park (formerly known as Sugar Pine State Park), sits…
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South Lake Tahoe & Stateline
Three 1920s-era estates – Baldwin, Pope and Valhalla – sprawl across this 150-acre site on the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe. Free, self-guided tours wind…
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South Lake Tahoe & Stateline
Sheer granite cliffs and a jagged shoreline hem in glacier-carved Emerald Bay, a teardrop cove that will have you digging for your camera. Its most…
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South Lake Tahoe & Stateline
This uninhabited granite speck in Emerald Bay State Park is Lake Tahoe’s only island. It holds the vandalized remains of a tiny 1920s teahouse belonging…
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South Lake Tahoe & Stateline
Heiress Lora Knight's quirky mansion on the bay, Vikingsholm Castle is the focal point of Emerald Bay State Park, and a rare example of ancient…
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Lake Tahoe
West of Truckee, 3-mile-long Donner Lake is a busy recreational hub. The Donner Party camped nearby during the fateful winter of 1846. Donner Summit,…
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Lake Tahoe
Good for hikes in summer and skiing and snowshoeing in winter; there's also a sledding hill.
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Lake Tahoe
DL Bliss State Park has the western shore's nicest beaches at Lester Beach and Calawee Cove. A short nature trail leads to the Balancing Rock, a giant…
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Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Best Things to Do
From kayaking and heading up high in a gondola to festivals and live theater, these are the best things to do in and around Lake Tahoe.
Read articleBest Time to Visit
Your guide to the best time for snow, warm weather, cost, crowds and events at Lake Tahoe.
Read articleTransportation
Here's a handy guide to easily navigate Lake Tahoe, an all-season alpine and lake adventure mecca.
Read articleFree Things to Do
Lake Tahoe is home to one of the US's most wealthy areas, but that doesn’t mean a visit to the lake’s natural beauty has to be expensive.
Read articleMoney and Costs
Lake Tahoe has priceless views, excellent outdoor activities and world-class resorts. These tips will make staying in budget feel like a splurge.
Read articleBest Road Trips
Lake Tahoe is an excellent base camp for a handful of memorable road trips. Here, our five favorite.
Read articleAccessibility
Lake Tahoe is a one of a kind destination famous not only for its world-renowned alpine ski resorts but also its beautiful beaches.
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