Things to Do in Lake Tahoe in Summer

If you are looking for a place to express your creative side, All Fired Up at The Hot Spot can help. A sanctuary for creation in the form of pottery painting, candle making, mosaics, succulent gardens, canvas painting and even slime making, All Fired Up at The Hot Spot offers the space to let your imagination shine. All ages and artistic abilities are invited to play. Come alone or in a group. In fact, it is an excellent option for those looking to create a party for bridal and wedding groups, birthdays, get-togethers, office parties, team building or mom gatherings. You're even invited to bring your favorite wine or beer to help get your creative juices flowing. Appointments or drop-ins are welcome. Long known as All Fired Up, this business will soon change its name to The Hot Spot Tahoe, but everything else will stay the same.

Discover Lake Tahoe's splendor with Around Tahoe Tours, led by local experts Chris and Darin Talbot. Drawing on decades of insight since 1977, their tours offer a unique and entertaining way to get to know the area. Dive into their incredible Sand Harbor Experience for a hassle-free day at Lake Tahoe's premier beach, where you can enjoy an exclusive day, complete with complimentary transportation, awe-inspiring education, delightful entertainment and relaxation without the worry of lines or parking issues. Aptly named Camp Tahoe, their private Beach Lounge experience is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located on a stretch of beautiful white sandy beach, this experience comes complete with everything you need for a great lakeside experience including umbrellas, chairs, beach comforts, towels and toys along with access to cocktails and food at the neighboring wet bar and restaurant. Interested in enjoying the entire lake? Check out their incredible six-hour Around Tahoe Tour. If discovering the neighboring areas to Lake Tahoe is your cup of tea, their Comstock Tour offers you six hours to enjoy and learn about awe-inspiring historical Virginia City. Around Tahoe Tours also offers other fascinating tours including their Colorful Fall Tour, Winter Ski Tour, North Shore Tour or The Perfect Tahoe Day Tour. They also offer the ability to create tailored adventures for private, semi-private or group tours.

Bleu Wave Cruises is a luxurious way to see Lake Tahoe from the water. From its home base in Tahoe Keys Marina, the boat fits 47 people and is fully decked out to host a grand wedding or extravagant get-together. Complete with a stocked bar, fireplace, large lower lounge, stateroom, fly-bridge, gigantic party bow, restrooms and climate-controlled indoor facilities, Bleu Wave Cruises has everything needed to create a welcoming ambiance. Cruises are available daily and include regularly scheduled morning, afternoon and sunset cruises, which are open to the public. They also offer private charters for sightseeing or weddings.

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 too. To help enjoy the area even more, there are 150 regular campsites and one group site, all having easy access to the water via various points around the park. The park is also good for dogs as long as they're on a leash at all times and not on the trails. If you're coming to the park for day use only it is highly advised that you come early, as the park tends to be very busy and parking is limited. The park does not allow day use visitors once the parking lots are full. The park closes in the winter, although access to trails is still available. Visitors should remember to pack it in and pack it out and to leave no trace. 

Ed Z'Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park is your best bet for winter camping. Also open with a larger selection of sites in the summer, the park is positioned to take advantage of both the beautiful natural setting of Lake Tahoe and the historic aspects. Within the park is access to the Hellman-Ehrmann Mansion that was built in 1903. The property is still exquisitely maintained and is an excellent representation of the wealthy side of Tahoe. Tours are offered during the summer by Sierra State Parks Foundation (sierrastateparks.org). There are various trailheads, swimming beaches and great fishing within the park as well as a Nature Center that helps visitors identify the local flora and fauna. In the winter the foundation hosts full moon snowshoe expeditions, and this is a great place for sledding and snowshoeing. Dogs are allowed on leash only. Visitors should remember to pack it in, pack it out and leave no trace. An entrance fee is charged. 

The Flume Trail above Lake Tahoe is a mountain biking trail with a well-earned reputation. Between its historical significance and the incredible views that it offers, it is a route that practically everyone in the basin knows about, even people who have never once touched tire to trail. But for those who actually do like to get out and explore the backcountry on wheels and gears, Flume Trail Mountain Bikes helps make the shop's namesake a bit more accessible. Located at the end of the Flume Trail in Incline Village, they rent well-maintained and lightweight bikes and e-pedal assist mountain bikes. Helmet, pump and spare tube are included in the package. And just as important, they offer a shuttle service to the start of the route for a one-way ride back to Incline Village, ensuring that a fun day on the trail doesn't become a logistical hassle. If you're looking for something different, they offer Tahoe Rim Trail shuttle service on select days during the season to ride one way back to Incline Village and the bike shop. Bikes can be rented for a single day or more, and you can rent as a group. Due to snow conditions on the trail, bike rentals are seasonal, usually beginning in May. Flume Trail Bikes also offers rental bikes and e-pedal assist bikes for the East Shore Paved Path along the shore of Lake Tahoe. This trail starts next to the bike shop and goes 3 miles to Sand Harbor State Park. It is a great way to get into Sand Harbor if the parking lot is full.

Lake Tahoe has only one outflow – the Truckee River. And for 25 years IRIE Rafting Company has given visitors a close-up view of the waterway as well as the region's north and middle forks of the American River and the Carson River. For those wanting to stay closer to Truckee, IRIE offers half- and full-day trips on the Truckee River after it flows past the town of Truckee. There is ideal paddling to be had for a range of ages and abilities as well as some thrilling rapids as the river runs down into the Truckee River Gorge. IRIE transports guests to and from Truckee to the put-in and take-out points on the river and provides helmets, personal flotation vests and paddles. Expect a two-hour trip that will be perfect for the whole family. By the way, IRIE stands for Isolated Rivers, Incredible Experiences. 

Golf in winter? Yes, at Lake Tahoe Golf Course. In winter the clubhouse becomes more of a sports bar and restaurant feel with two simulators that provide all sorts of activities. This, of course, includes golf featuring hundreds of golf courses worldwide, a practice range and lesson capabilities. Simulators also have games like hockey, soccer, baseball, disc golf and arcade fun games for the kids (and kids at heart) like Zombie destruction using tennis balls thrown at targets on the screen. In one of the little ironies of life, Lake Tahoe Golf Course is one of the courses at South Shore that is actually farthest from the lake, over in Meyers. This in no way, however, detracts from the beauty of the location as it is in a high-altitude meadow set up against the rugged mountain scenery. The course, with layout by William Bell, welcomes casual players as well as custom-designed tournaments and events. Lake Tahoe Golf Course is also a popular venue for non-golfing special events, not the least of which are weddings. Whether the event takes place on the 10th tee near the Truckee River or in the clubhouse with views of Mount Tallac, the catering and event specialists here can help give your wedding day that special Tahoe flavor.

North Tahoe Watersports brings you the fun of Lake Tahoe in a safe and exciting way. Specializing in parasailing, the company offers high-flying adventures over Lake Tahoe in all three of its locations. In addition to parasailaing, North Tahoe Watersports offers boat rentals and jet ski rentals at its two Tahoe City locations and jet ski rentals and kayak and SUP rentals at its Kings Beach location. North Tahoe Watersports also offers private lake tours, bringing you to all of the magical parts of Lake Tahoe.

North Tahoe Watersports brings you the fun of Lake Tahoe in a safe and exciting way. Specializing in parasailing, the company offers high-flying adventures over Lake Tahoe in all three of its locations. In addition to parasailaing, North Tahoe Watersports offers boat rentals and jet ski rentals at its two Tahoe City locations and jet ski rentals and kayak and SUP rentals at its Kings Beach location. North Tahoe Watersports also offers private lake tours, bringing you to all of the magical parts of Lake Tahoe.

Sunnyside Watersports offers several different rental options such as power boats, surf boats and pontoon boats in addition to jet skis, kayaks and standup paddleboards on the stunning West Shore of Lake Tahoe. Make your day on the lake a thrilling one by renting one of their premium Cobalt boats, which are perfect for enjoying a powerful ride on Lake Tahoe. If you're looking for some action-packed watersport activities, consider their surf boat for wakesurfing, wakeboarding or tubing. They also offer boat rentals with a driver and wake surf lessons with a watersport instructor. Their friendly staff will ensure that you safely get on the water and are more than happy to suggest spots to explore!

Sprawling Tahoe Donner and its 6,000-plus properties above Truckee are home to full-time and part-time residents and a year-round destination for visitors from all over who are drawn to its beautiful neighborhoods, vast trails, open spaces and unique amenities. With the world-class Cross Country Ski Center and Downhill Ski Resort open to members and the public in the wintertime and the Tahoe Donner Trail System and par-72 championship Golf Course open to members and the public in the summertime, plus private amenities like the Beach Club Marina, Tennis Center and Trout Creek Rec Center open exclusively for Tahoe Donner members and their guests, this High-Sierra community offers year-round recreation and enjoyment unlike any other. Following your adventures, visit any of Tahoe Donner’s restaurants for casual or fine dining, including The Lodge Restaurant & Pub, Alder Creek Cafe or Pizza on the Hill. Each offers an inviting menu with fresh menu options and a lively and family-friendly atmosphere. Keep an eye out for live music and other fun events open to the public throughout the year.

If finding some adrenaline fun via flowing rivers is your cup of tea, then you should check out Tahoe Whitewater Tours. A highly reputable company that offers guided trips down Truckee River as well as other rivers that near the Tahoe area, Tahoe Whitewater Tours is gifted in creating a trip that fits the wants and needs of the group. From basic river trips to heart-pumping whitewater adventures, they have you covered. 

The Village at Palisades Tahoe is the epitome of ski-in, ski-out luxury. Nestled just steps away from world-class skiing, thrilling activities and captivating events, this extraordinary lodging offers a perfect blend of comfort and convenience with stunning mountain views and a bird's-eye perspective of the vibrant village below. Whether it's a romantic evening dinner, a family-friendly meal or a lively night out, you'll find a plethora of dining options to suit your tastes. From charming coffee shops to lively bars, from street dancing to the rhythm of live music or a serene yoga studio, there's something for everyone. The Village at Palisades Tahoe is also the launchpad for the Aerial Tram, which soars 2,000 vertical feet to High Camp, for breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe, hiking in wildflowers in the summer, skiing in the winter and dining year-round.

Take a look around and it’s clear that Truckee is a special town: history, mountains, lakes, river and forests. But there are many hidden gems known mostly to locals. Those gems are kept shining by the Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District for the enjoyment of locals and visitors. Some of the amenities and facilities managed by the district are accessible for free, others for a fee. The district has deservedly received awards for its facilities, from the nine-hole Ponderosa Golf Course and an ice rink in winter to super-kid-friendly West End Beach and the public piers on Donner Lake. The crown jewel is the 40,000-square-foot Community Recreation Center with, among other things, a two-court gymnasium, a state-of-the-art indoor aquatics center, an indoor running track, exercise equipment, two climbing walls (one is 29 feet tall) and a state-of-the-art aquatics center. Want to find Truckee’s soul? Check out the bike park at Riverview Sports Park and the popular disc golf course and skate park in Regional Park. Be sure to explore all of Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District's programming and facilities that continue to provide a wide variety of recreational opportunities in the Truckee area. 

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.