Lake Tahoe mountain biking and cycling are hugely popular things to do in Tahoe that draw many enthusiasts to the area. You can ride on dirt trails, bike routes or paved roads, join in on organized rides around the lake, take classes to hone your skills and rent the equipment you need if you don't have your own. Lake Tahoe mountain bikers often take advantage of the lift-assisted trails where you ride up in a gondola or chair lift then make it down the mountain on human power.
Featured for Your Visit
Lake Tahoe Mountain Biking & Cycling
19940 Donner Pass Road, Norden, CA
One of Truckee’s hidden gems sits atop Donner Summit at 7,000 feet. Clair Tappaan Lodge was constructed in 1934 by Sierra Club volunteers, and, just like Donner Summit itself, the rest is history. The stunningly rustic mountain lodge offers accommodations for up to 145 guests, many of whom are cross-country skiers and snowshoers in winter and hikers, rock climbers and cyclists in summer. The lodge is about 2 miles from the famed Pacific Crest Trail. Being an old-school lodge, accommodations vary from single-gender dorms with lockers and bunk beds to two-person rooms with twin-size beds. For those traveling in a group there are private rooms ideal for between five and 12 people. All accommodations share men's and women’s bathrooms with several showers, sinks and toilets in each. The volunteer spirit continues to run deep at Clair Tappaan, with groups able to receive volunteer discounts for helping with operations of the lodge. Volunteering can include shoveling snow, splitting firewood and various kitchen duties. The lodge’s dining options include family-style breakfasts and dinners. Guests can prepare bagged lunches to take with them on their daily adventures. The entire lodge is available for group rental.
One of Truckee’s hidden gems sits atop Donner Summit at 7,000 feet. Clair Tappaan Lodge was constructed in 1934 by Sierra Club volunteers, and, just like Donner Summit itself, the rest is history. The stunningly rustic mountain lodge offers accommodations for up to 145 guests, many of whom are cross-country skiers and snowshoers in winter and hikers, rock climbers and cyclists in summer. The lodge...read more
One of Truckee’s hidden gems sits atop Donner Summit at 7,000 feet. Clair Tappaan Lodge...read more
Lake Tahoe Mountain Biking & Cycling
When it comes to maintaining Lake Tahoe's natural beauty, our best defense is in teaching our youth the importance that lies within protecting the wilderness. Acting as a steward of connection for youth and Mother Nature, Gateway Mountain Center is a place that engages young minds with adventurous and educational explorations in the natural world. Offering various wellness programs, athletic curriculum and summer camps, Gateway...read more
Lake Tahoe Mountain Biking & Cycling
Heavenly Resort is omnipresent at South Tahoe. Along with the casinos on the Nevada side of South Shore, the ski resort drives the economy of this small Sierra community. Heavenly’s California Lodge was the resort’s original mountain base area, located nearly a straight shot up the hill from the lakeside Ski Run Marina. Appropriate for skiers of all skill levels, just about all ski services...read more
Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows
Lake Tahoe Mountain Biking & Cycling
High Camp at Squaw Valley is a conglomeration of various activities and dining and drinking opportunities. This is the home of the Olympic Ice Pavilion, an Olympic-size ice rink that doubles as a roller-skating rink in the summer. It is also home to the Olympic Museum, a gathering of appreciation for the 1960 Olympic Winter Games in Squaw Valley. For skiers and snowboarders this is...read more
Lake Tahoe Mountain Biking & Cycling
With just 280 steps from the lift to the lake, skiing and riding at Homewood Mountain Resort offers some of the most iconic and unobstructed views of Lake Tahoe. With more than 1,260 acres, Homewood’s terrain ranges from smooth groomers and hidden tree stashes to wide-open bowls and offers something for skiers and riders of all ability levels. Its community-oriented vibe also lends to a...read more
Lake Tahoe Mountain Biking & Cycling
Kaspian Recreation Area is on Highway 89, 4 miles south of Tahoe City at the base of Blackwood Canyon. A campground and outdoor recreation area, the zone is excellent for wilderness fun in summer and winter. Kaspian Beach and Campground are located on National Forest land managed by the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. The summer offers mountain biking, road cycling and hiking....read more
Lake Tahoe Mountain Biking & Cycling
Kirkwood Mountain is a South Lake Tahoe ski area tucked a little out of the way of the hustle and bustle that is seen in town. Kirkwood is about a 45-minute drive from the center of South Lake. This small distance creates positives: crowds are smaller and attention to personal service is higher. The ski area itself is great for all levels of skiers with...read more
Lake Tahoe Mountain Biking & Cycling
If you believe that you can never have too much of a good thing, you’ll be glad to hear the news that Willard’s Sport Shop in Tahoe City has opened an additional location in Kings Beach under the name of Lakeshore Sports. Although the name is different, you’ll recognize the logo style from the original Willard’s signage, and the new shop is open seven days...read more
Lake Tahoe Mountain Biking & Cycling
Rustic is a word too often tossed around when marketing people try to describe their lodging properties. But for real rustic, head to the Lost Trail Lodge located off the grid in a canyon outside Truckee. Getting to the lodge is an adventure in itself, especially when the Sierra is in winter-wonderland mode. Four miles from parking when winter is in full swing, the way...read more
Whether you prefer fat tires or skinny tires, the Lake Tahoe area offers a vast array of cycling for every ability and age. No matter if you’re based in Truckee, the North Shore, South Shore or the West Shore, it’s likely there’s a ride right outside your door.
Tahoe Rim Trail
The 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) circles Lake Tahoe and offers up world-class mountain...read more
Lake Tahoe Mountain Biking & Cycling
When you are out at Camp Richardson to have fun, it would be a drag if you had to run into town to get the gear to do it. Luckily Mountain Sports Center, Camp Richardson's centrally located sports shop, has equipment rentals for both warm and cold weather activities. Mountain bikes or tandem bikes, snowshoes or cross-country skis, they've got them right...read more
Lake Tahoe Mountain Biking & Cycling
Mtn. Mike's Sports is a longtime local, family-owned ski shop that happens to offer the cheapest ski rentals in Squaw Valley. And with its location across the street from the ski area, it's situated for easy in and out. Housed in one of the first buildings built for the inauguration of the ski area back in 1949, the ski shop pays respect to yesteryear of...read more
Lake Tahoe Mountain Biking & Cycling
Nevada Beach and Campground, a part of the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, is a great place to camp at Tahoe. The site possesses a forest of pine trees set back from the water and is usually serene compared to other Tahoe beaches. Visitors with or without RVs can pay to use the overnight campground, which offers barbecue grills, picnic tables, fire rings,...read more
