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.
Featured for Your Visit
Swimming in West Shore, CA
11001 CA Highway 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA
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 also encompasses Fanette Island, the only island of Lake Tahoe. The park extends below the surface of the lake, where visitors will find a historical story book of days gone by in the form of sunken barges, ships and launches. The park closes down in the winter, though people are able to walk the mile-long, steep trail to Vikingsholm Castle to enjoy the grounds and beaches. The trail can be a bit treacherous in winter if snowy or icy. Visitors should remember to pack it in and pack it out and to leave no trace.
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
Swimming in South Lake Tahoe, CA
Spooner Lake is an excellent winter and summer recreation area. The reservoir is home to year-round fishing, hiking and birding. In the summer the lake is the place for swimming, non-motorized boating and mountain biking, and in the winter the cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are great. There is a day-use fee collected per vehicle/bike, so make sure to bring some money. read more
Swimming in South Lake Tahoe, CA
Tahoe Keys Marina is the place for all your boat needs in South Lake Tahoe. With more than three decades of helping recreational boaters, Tahoe Keys Marina continues to supply an array of services including dependable boat rentals, fine dining at Fresh Ketch, yacht tours, private charters, water-skiing instruction and sportfishing charters as well as hot air balloon rides with Lake Tahoe Balloons. The marina...read more
Swimming in South Lake Tahoe, CA
You can’t say you’ve taken in everything the area has to offer until you’ve gazed down into that clear blue water to the depths below from atop the surface of one of the most spectacular lakes in the world. And one of the best ways to soak it all in is with a cruise on a private luxury yacht. That’s where Tahoe Yacht Charters comes into...read more
Beach Retreat & Lodge at Lake Tahoe
Swimming in South Lake Tahoe, CA
The Tiki Hut & Beach Club brings a full-service lakefront bar to Lake Tahoe. Accessorized with personalized cabanas, lounge chairs and umbrella rentals, the beach club lets relaxation and fun intertwine into any Lake Tahoe beach day. Located on one of the most beautiful strands of sandy beach, the Tiki Hut & Beach Club rents out beach accessories while at the same time offering tasty...read more
Swimming in South Lake Tahoe, CA
Whether you call it by its historic name of Connolly Beach, its more common name of Timber Cove Beach or its proposed name of Beach at Beach Retreat, this is a nice beach that is practically in the middle of town. Restaurants are steps away, and water equipment rentals are available in summer. It may look to visitors as if the beach is for hotels...read more
Swimming in South Lake Tahoe, CA
Timber Cove Marina is a centrally located marina in South Lake Tahoe. The marina has a multitude of offerings including accommodations at the Tahoe Beach Retreat & Lodge and dining opportunities at The Tavern, Boathouse on the Pier and the Tiki Hut & Beach Club. There are water toys like boats, Jet Skis, kayaks and paddleboard rentals available with Action Watersports as well as cabanas,...read more
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Whale Beach is the last of a series of secluded beaches accessed off of Highway 28 on the east shore of Lake Tahoe and is also known as Black Sand Beach. Accessed via a trailhead that begins at the free public parking area 2.6 miles south of Sand Harbor, the trail begins steep than quickly levels off. When the trail Ys take a left (walking...read more
Swimming in East Shore, NV
Zephyr Cove Beach is a lively, easy-access and pay-for-parking beach that offers visitors plenty of recreational choices. Not only can beachgoers go parasailing and rent power boats, water skis, tubes, wakeboards, knee boards, Jet skis, canoes, kayaks and paddle boats, but they can also board a paddlewheeler for a cruise to Emerald Bay. Zephyr Cove Beach offers two dining options, including the Sunset Bar and...read more
