Here’s an oft-asked question: Can you swim in Lake Tahoe? The answer is yes, especially if cool/cold water is your thing! And, if you look at all the water sports outfitters and popular beaches in the area, it’s clear that it’s absolutely a preferred thing to do in Tahoe for a lot of people. Summer/early fall temperatures for Big Blue reach around mid- to upper 60s – invigorating, right? And there are other places to enjoy Lake Tahoe swimming such as Donner Lake, Fallen Leaf Lake, Spooner Lake and the Truckee River. These waters are also popular for water skiing, Jet Skiing, tubing, boating, diving, SUPing, paddleboating, kayaking and more, with rentals available for all of it. If you’d rather do your Lake Tahoe swimming in man-made structure – aka, pools – you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of them, even one that’s a tram-ride to the top of a mountain! Recreation centers in the area offer passes to visitors so they, too, can make use of the exceptional workout equipment, competition-size pools, classes and activities. Of course, all the resorts offer pools, outdoor and indoor for year-round Lake Tahoe swimming.
Featured for Your Visit
Lake Tahoe Swimming
CA Highway 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA
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.
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
Lake Tahoe Swimming
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 Swimming
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 Swimming
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
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Lake Tahoe Swimming
Secret Cove is a secluded nudist beach that is off the same trail system that accesses Chimney Beach. On the east shore of Lake Tahoe on Highway 89, 2.6 miles from Sand Harbor, the trailhead to Secret Cove is found to the right of the free public parking. The trail is steep at first and then mellows out to a gentle 3/4-mile of single track....read more
Lake Tahoe Swimming
Ski Run Marina is a shopping and marina center highlighting water experience: restaurants, boat and water activities rental, cruise boat, fishing and shopping in South Lake Tahoe. It is the launching spot for day and dinner cruises on the Safari Rose and the soon to arrive The Tahoe Spirit. Ski Run Marina is the home to Riva Grill (amazing food and cocktails with impressive views), Artemis Mediterranean Cafe (a healthy...read more
Lake Tahoe Swimming
Skylandia is a gorgeous, 24-acre state park that offers a multitude of amenities. Situated a mile and a half from Tahoe City, Skylandia offers both a grass park area complete with grills, picnic tables, paved trails and public bathrooms as well as a sand beach that offers leisurely walks with views that look up the lake toward Mount Tallac and South Lake Tahoe. The park...read more
Lake Tahoe Swimming
Speedboat Beach is a hidden free public beach that is situated at the end of a neighborhood street. Located in a small local zone between Kings Beach and Crystal Bay Casino, this beach offers a long strand of beautiful soft sand, stunning giant granite boulders and easy access to the water. For that reason it is also a great beach to approach from the water...read more
Lake Tahoe Swimming
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
Lake Tahoe Swimming
Tahoe Adventure Company is a way to access any outdoor adventure in Lake Tahoe. Whether it is rock climbing or kayaking, mountain biking or hiking, Tahoe Adventure Company prides itself in creating custom recreation tours that connect exactly with what the guest desires. They add a ton of local knowledge to each of their trips and also offer kayak and paddleboard rentals and tours. Other fun experiences Tahoe Adventure Company offers include star tours, full moon, sunset excursions, group outings, backpacking trips...read more
Lake Tahoe Swimming
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
Lake Tahoe Swimming
Tahoe Vista Recreation Area is a newly remodeled outdoor beach area that offers free public access. Complete with barbecue grills, picnic tables, public bathrooms, a sheltered boat launching ramp and an outdoor plaza explaining local flora and fauna, the 2.7-acre property offers 800 feet of sandy and rocky shoreline ready to entertain families and others who want to absorb the beauty of Lake Tahoe. There are...read more
Lake Tahoe Swimming
Tahoe Water Adventures is your one-stop shop for anything related to having fun on Lake Tahoe. From speed-boat rentals to Jet Skis, Tahoe Water Adventures rents reliable power toys for the water. They also rent kayaks, standup paddleboards and surfboards. In addition to rentals they offer guided trips and lessons. Tahoe Water Adventures is only open in the summer.read more
