Kayaking or canoeing around Lake Tahoe might be the best way to experience Big Blue, and it's certainly one of the most popular things to do in Tahoe. Follow the 72-mile trail that takes you around the lake at a pace where you can really experience the environment. Kayak and canoe rental businesses are readily found all around the area.
Featured for Your Visit
Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District
Lake Tahoe Kayaking & Canoeing
15962 South Shore Drive, Truckee, CA
Lake Tahoe, 15 minutes away, gets all the attention, but Truckee has a gem of its own: Donner Lake. While not as big and broad as Big Blue, Donner Lake offers up a good bit of watery fun too. One of the best places to access Donner is West End Beach. In summer months, there is a modest admission fee to enter the 10-acre west end area, but the sandy beach and roped-off, kid-friendly swim area is the place to take youngsters to build sand castles and splash in the water all under the watch of life guards. Operated by the Truckee Donner Park and Recreation Department, West End Beach also has paddleboards, kayaks and pedal boats available to rent. There is plenty of fun on the beach area: two playgrounds for kids to get their kicks on, a sand volleyball court, tennis court and horseshoe pits. A snack bar serves up soft drinks, hot dogs and ice cream. Get there early and stake out a picnic table and grill. There are shady group picnic areas available by reservation.
Lake Tahoe, 15 minutes away, gets all the attention, but Truckee has a gem of its own: Donner Lake. While not as big and broad as Big Blue, Donner Lake offers up a good bit of watery fun too. One of the best places to access Donner is West End Beach. In summer months, there is a modest admission fee to enter the 10-acre west...read more
Lake Tahoe, 15 minutes away, gets all the attention, but Truckee has a gem of...read more
Lake Tahoe Kayaking & Canoeing
Lakeside Beach is a lovely stretch of Tahoe sand. Although it caters to homeowners and the clientele of many of the South Shore motels and vacation rentals, any visitor can purchase a daily pass at the gate. The beach boasts playground equipment, and visitors can play volleyball, sit at picnic tables and rent boats, Jet Skis and other water-activity equipment at the adjacent Lakeside Marina....read more
Lake Tahoe Kayaking & Canoeing
Lakeside Marina is a full-service facility on the California side of the state line. It has a paved launch ramp, floating docks and a fuel station. Rentals available at the marina include power boats, kayaks, paddle boats, paddleboards and Jet Skis. The marina is adjacent to Lakeside Beach and is a stop on the South Shore water taxi to Camp Richardson. Dining is available seasonally...read more
Lake Tahoe Kayaking & Canoeing
Local Tahoe Adventures is a one-stop-shop for standup paddleboard (SUP) and snorkel rentals, boat cruises and SCUBA charters. They also offer free delivery of kayaks and standup paddleboards right to your preferred destination, spanning from Tahoma to Zephyr Cove. Their range of inflatable and hard-shell kayaks as well as paddleboards caters to specific preferences and skill levels. Add a mask and snorkel to any
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Lake Tahoe Kayaking & Canoeing
Moon Dune Beach may be tiny and not offer many services or allow pets, but it does have the softest, whitest sand found in Lake Tahoe. And it offers free access. The beautiful beach provides some shady areas off the water and portable bathrooms in the summer. Please note that there is no designated parking lot. Parking is on Highway 28 only. Located across from...read more
Lake Tahoe Kayaking & Canoeing
North Tahoe Beach is a large offering for free public access to Lake Tahoe and includes parking. Almost 3 acres with nearly 600 feet of shoreline, the park has a multitude of amenities to offer. There are three beach volleyball courts, a horseshoe pit (although you do need to bring your own horseshoes), barbecue grills and picnic tables available for use. For large parties of...read more
Lake Tahoe Kayaking & Canoeing
Patton Landing Beach is a pebbly version of Lake Tahoe shoreline. A free public beach that offers picnic tables and summer-only bathrooms, the park also has free parking and a car-top boat launch. To help with the fun factor, Waterman's Landing Beach Cafe adjoins the free public beach and offers yummy treats and delicious drinks as well as kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals. This is...read more
Lake Tahoe Kayaking & Canoeing
Pebble Beach, otherwise known as Dog Beach (or lesser known as Elizabeth Williams Beach), is a small strip of Lake Tahoe shoreline with a park-like setting that is legal for canines. North by a few miles of the U.S. Forest Service Kaspian Campground (approximately 4 miles south of Tahoe City), the beach is extremely easy to access. Although close to Highway 89 and the bike...read more
Lake Tahoe Kayaking & Canoeing
Pope Beach, a part of the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, is a wonderful place to spend the day with or without kids. The $10 (subject to change) per vehicle fee and pet prohibition keep some folks away, so it tends to not be as crowded as some other Tahoe beaches. Visitors can make use of picnic tables and restrooms are available. Although there...read more
Lake Tahoe Kayaking & Canoeing
Round Pines is a great beach for those who like a lot going on but also like a beach that is tucked away. Not only does it have a deli and a bar, but it also has a wonderful selection of available water-activity rentals, including boats, Jet Skis, kayaks, paddleboards and pedal boats. Visitors can also choose to go parasailing, play volleyball, swim in the...read more
Lake Tahoe Kayaking & Canoeing
Three miles south of Incline Village on State Highway 28, Sand Harbor has a variety of natural features that you can spend an entire day exploring. You can hike several trails down the shoreline or off into the woods. You can rock-hop, scrambling across the giant boulders that extend out into the lake. You can rent a kayak or standup paddleboard to float down to...read more
Lake Tahoe Kayaking & Canoeing
Sandy Beach is a beautiful yet tiny piece of free public beach access in Tahoe Vista. Near the Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort, this sandy beach provides views looking up Lake Tahoe toward Mount Tallac, creating a stunning perspective. The beach is outfitted with garbage cans year-round, and portable bathrooms are added in the summer. A bonus to this beach is that there are picnic tables and...read more
Lake Tahoe Kayaking & Canoeing
Secline Beach is an often-missed section of sandy beach that you'll find right as you're coming into Kings Beach; it's behind the Transam gas station. It's a nice beach with picnic tables, grills and shady spots. There is no fee for entry as there are no designated places to park or gated areas. There are garbage dispensers and portable bathrooms available. This is a good...read more
