Lake Tahoe In The Summer: 10 Adventurous Things To Do
Updated: Sep 15, 2021
In this post, I'll be listing 10 adventurous things to do in Lake Tahoe in the summer. While it is true that most of the activities mentioned on this list are doable year-round, some of them are more accessible and just more enjoyable during the summer months. All activities listed in this post are things that I have done personally while living in Lake Tahoe.
P.S. If you're visiting Lake Tahoe, please help keep it beautiful by Leaving No Trace.
With that being said, here are 10 Adventurous Things to do in Lake Tahoe in the Summer.
1. Emerald Bay State Park
Emerald Bay is one of the most iconic spots in Lake Tahoe and for good reason, as it has some of the most beautiful views of the lake. You can enjoy the views from the Emerald Bay Overlook or you can take the short and easy hike down the Vikingshom trail down to the beach. From here, you can check out the Vikingsholm Castle, hike to Lower Eagle Falls, pick up the Rubicon Trail, or rent a paddleboard and paddle out to Fannette Island.
2. Paddle Boarding and Kayaking
Any time of year is a great time for paddle-boarding and kayaking on Lake Tahoe, and summer is no exception. The best time for paddling is in the morning before the afternoon winds arrive and while there are fewer boats on the lake. It's also a good idea to stick close to the shoreline if you are new to this activity.
My favorite spot for paddle-boarding is the east shore, but other popular areas include Speedboat Beach on the north shore, Cave Rock State Park in South Lake Tahoe, and paddling out to Fannette Island at Emerald Bay.
3. Bonsai Rock
Bonsai Rock is another iconic spot in Lake Tahoe. One really fun thing that a lot of people like to do in the summertime is to jump off the rock. But if you're not feeling that adventurous, you can just relax on one of the many boulders along the shoreline and watch the paddle-boarders and kayakers go by. Bonsai rock also happens to be one of my favorite spots for drone photography.