What to do and see in Lake Tahoe Area, Lake Tahoe Area: The Best Nature & Parks

December 3, 2021 Sachiko Swiger

Discover the best top things to do in Lake Tahoe Area, Lake Tahoe Area including Echo Lakes Hiking Trail, Eagle Lake, Tahoe Rim Trail, Emerald Bay State Park, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, Rubicon Trail, Glen Alpine Falls, Sand Harbor, Nevada Beach, Eagle Falls Trail.
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1. Echo Lakes Hiking Trail

Johnson Pass Road, NV http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ltbmu/null/recarea/
Excellent
85%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 34 reviews

Echo Lakes Hiking Trail

This easy to moderate hiking trail passes Lower and Upper Echo Lakes as well as many other lakes.

2. Eagle Lake

NV
Excellent
79%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 42 reviews

Eagle Lake

Nevada lake named for its large amount of eagles.

Reviewed By 116lynnej - Vancouver, Canada

Totally credit a blogger I read who said get there by 9 AM - we drive back about noon past miles and miles of bumper to bumper cars. I’m not fit and have chronic headaches so I found the grade a bit tough a couple times but with good shoes and a few rests - we all made it. Fill out the permit at the base of the walk - there was no cost but there is a point past the falls that you are required to have it. The lake is well worth the effort and we walked around to the backside of the lake and enjoyed a spectacular view.

3. Tahoe Rim Trail

CA +1 775-298-0012 [email protected]
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 20 reviews

Tahoe Rim Trail

This 165-mile, twenty-four inch, single-track trail is open to hiking, equestrians, and mountain biking (in most areas). The trail encompasses the ridge tops of the Lake Tahoe Basin, crossing six counties, and two states. The Tahoe Rim Trail overlaps with approximately fifty miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.

4. Emerald Bay State Park

Hwy 89 at Emerald Bay The park is located 12 miles north of South Lake Tahoe, CA 96145 +1 530-541-3030 http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=506
Excellent
83%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 883 reviews

Emerald Bay State Park

This spectacular bay in Lake Tahoe is best approached by hiking trails.

Reviewed By Alacrout - Los Angeles, United States

You really can’t go wrong with any part of Lake Tahoe, as the whole thing is surrounded by stunning mountain views. The views can get a little hazy during bad fire seasons, but still a beautiful area. Hard to pick a definitive “best” part of the Lake, but Emerald Bay is certainly up there as one of the best parts. The color of the water lives up to the name of “Emerald.” In the middle of the Bay, there’s a cute little island that is the ONLY island in Lake Tahoe. You can kayak, canoe, or boat to the island (NOT swim) and see the ruins of “Tea House,” where a quirky captain lived in the 1800s. Inspiration Point is a necessary stop on your way through the park—it gives you one of the best views of the entire Bay. Be sure to check out Vikingsholm too! :)

5. Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park

Incline Village, NV 89452 +1 775-831-0494 http://parks.nv.gov/parks/marlette-hobart-backcountry
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 228 reviews

Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park

A number of areas for visitors along Lake Tahoe, with the most popular being Sand Harbor.

Reviewed By G2055DWpatriciah - Denver, United States

We planned the tour at the beginning of our trip so we would have an idea of where we might want to return. The tour was more fun and informative than we ever imagined. It was literally one of the best parts of our trip! Jim was an amazing guide.

6. Rubicon Trail

D.L. Bliss and Emerald Bay State Parks, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 +1 530-525-7277 http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=505
Excellent
88%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 109 reviews

Rubicon Trail

Reviewed By TravellingJan - San Carlos, United States

This is the most beautiful trail with gorgeous views of the turquoise water and interesting rocks, etc...We have to do this hike every time we come up to Tahoe. So incredible! And an easy hike too

7. Glen Alpine Falls

Glen Alpine Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 34 reviews

Glen Alpine Falls

8. Sand Harbor

Highway 28 Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park, Incline Village, NV 89452 +1 775-831-0494 http://parks.nv.gov/parks/sand-harbor/
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 757 reviews

Sand Harbor

Rocky coves and boulders to jump off of are the primary features of this beach.

Reviewed By RevfromCA - Sacramento, United States

This is a beautiful state park well worth the $10 entrance fee along the east shoreline of Lake Tahoe. You can use the entrance fee the same day to visit Cave Rock state park as well which is closer to South Lake Tahoe. The walking paths along the shore of Sand Harbor are very nice and the scenery is excellent. Check out the visitors center as well.

9. Nevada Beach

Elks Point Road 1/2 mile West of Highway 50, NV 89449
Excellent
71%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 72 reviews

Nevada Beach

Wide sandy beach, which offers escape from the bustle of other beaches.

Reviewed By VacationsRWanderful

This is a family and dog friendly beach. It’s near the campground and at the end of an easy 1 mile walk through Rabe Meadows. Parking is $10 per car, with limited space. If you choose to park in the lot, get there early.

10. Eagle Falls Trail

Highway 89, Tahoe City, CA 96150 +1 530-525-9530 http://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/eagle-rock-trail--2
Excellent
70%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 304 reviews

Eagle Falls Trail

A beautiful and well-marked trail.

Reviewed By MelissaG832 - Santa Barbara, United States

This hike is about 2 miles if you just go to the lake and back, which is what I did with my 10-year-old lab. Good dog-friendly hike where other dog-owners mostly kept their dogs on leashes as well. Some of the stone steps are a little high so you might need to pick your dog up if you have a small one but otherwise pretty straightforward. Weekends are impossible to park and we had to come back during the week and early in the morning to get a spot. Beautiful hike with great views, interesting terrain, and a amazing lake at the end.

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