Things to Do in South Lake Tahoe: Swimming

Can you swim in Lake Tahoe? As with just about everything, the answer is Yes, but… . You can swim in the lake, but you have to keep in mind that even though the air may be warm, the water can be dangerously cold. After a warm summer, the surface water can warm to 65 to 75 degrees, which is cool but comfortable for swimming. However, temperatures can drop has much as 10 degrees just 18 inches below the surface. So diving into deep water can cause a dangerous condition known as a cold-shock response. It’s best to enter the water slowly to give your body time to adjust to the cold temperatures. Swimmers should watch for obstacles, keep an eye on the weather, and always look out for boats. Never swim alone, and supervise children at all times. So can you swim in Lake Tahoe? Yes. The list below includes favorite places for South Lake Tahoe swimming. If you prefer a pool to swimming in the lake, these listings will point you to swimming pools in South Lake Tahoe. 

D.L. Bliss State Park

CA Highway 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA
(530) 525-7277

DL Bliss State Park is a culmination of absolute Tahoe beauty in the form of stunning turquoise water, old-growth forests and giant cartoon-like granite boulders that balance themselves like toys in amazing ways. There are multiple hiking trails that lead from the park, giving plenty of opportunities to enjoy the splendor that outdoor Tahoe has to offer, and you'll find several good dive spots here...read more

DL Bliss State Park is a culmination of absolute Tahoe beauty in the form of...read more

Emerald Bay State Park

Swimming in West Shore, CA
11001 CA Highway 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA
(530) 541-3030

If visiting Lake Tahoe in the summer, a great place to camp is Emerald Bay State Park. The park includes two campgrounds: the Boat-In Camp (accessible by boat and foot only) and Eagle Point Campground. Within the park are various treasures including Tahoe's hidden castle, Vikingsholm, the scenic Rubicon foot trail that connects Eagle Point Campground with Vikingsholm and DL Bliss State Park. The park...read more

If visiting Lake Tahoe in the summer, a great place to camp is Emerald Bay...read more