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
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
Beach Retreat & Lodge at Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe Swimming
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
Lake Tahoe Swimming
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
Lake Tahoe Swimming
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 Swimming
Truckee River Regional Park is Truckee's premier opportunity to get to know Mother Nature in a park-like setting. A giant expanse that encompasses the Truckee River and the beautiful scrub land that surrounds her, the park is accentuated by many amenities such as an amphitheater that hosts many fabulous summer shows, an ice rink in the winter and the best disc golf course you are...read more
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Lake Tahoe Swimming
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
Lake Tahoe Swimming
Two miles south of Tahoe City, William Kent Beach is a free, public, pebbly beach sandwiched between the water of Lake Tahoe and Highway 89. This beach strand is connected to the William Kent Campground. William Kent Beach and Campground are located on National Forest land managed by the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. An excellent beach for swimming and lounging, it...read more
Lake Tahoe Swimming
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