South Shore of Lake Tahoe
Rules to Lake By
The Awe Map
Adventures
Awe and Then Some
The Awe Scientist
THE ROAD LESS EATEN
The 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail is one of the country’s best “short long” trails, as it can be done in less than two weeks—no need to quit your job—and the views-per-mile can’t be beat as it circumnavigates the lake and surrounding mountains. For thru-hikers, it’s a great way to experience the High Sierra landscape, but it can also be completed in smaller chunks. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association breaks it into 14 individual day hikes.
The Tahoe Rim Trail
Most thru-hikers opt to save the scenic Desolation Wilderness for last. It’s also the most popular section for weekend backpacking trips. Permits are required for overnight use.
The hike to Round Lake via the Big Meadow Trail is like a Tahoe highlight reel, meandering through the aptly named XXL meadow toward the lake, passing shady forests, pockets of wildflowers, and quiet creek crossings. Surrounded by rugged High Sierra cliffs, Round Lake gives hikers a remote backcountry feel after only three miles of one-way travel. The trail slowly gains its 1,200 feet of elevation after a quick series of steep switchbacks.
Round Lake via Big Meadow
Take the kids on this long yet manageable outing. You might have to help them up the steep first ascent, but the slowly rolling terrain beyond is great for little legs.
It’s hard to miss Mount Tallac standing watch over the vibrant blue waters of Lake Tahoe. No other mountain in the region strikes that awe-inspiring balance of towering height (9,738 feet) and proximity to the shoreline, and the view from the top is just as spectacular. This imposing peak is a popular yet strenuous hike. The five-mile trip to the summit tackles almost 3,300 feet of elevation as it wanders through tall pines, past serene alpine lakes, and atop open ridgelines, culminating in the most dramatic views of Lake Tahoe found anywhere.
Mount Tallac Trail
For an easier outing in high-altitude environments, check out the Lake Winnemucca Trail, a 5.1-mile trek amid rocky peaks and cool alpine lakes.
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Closer to the lake, the views are no less spectacular. From the Rubicon Trail, along the cliff-lined shores of South Lake Tahoe, the cobalt blue water comes into sharper focus, revealing its unbelievable clarity as it reflects the rolling peaks that surround the lake. This 8.2-mile trail travels from Emerald Bay State Park to D.L. Bliss State Park, tracing the shoreline as it bends around rocky points and craggy coves. Hikers can do as much or as little distance as they’d like, with plenty of sandy spots for swimming and picnicking.
The Rubicon Trail
Whiskey Cove, just past the tip of Emerald Bay, is a particular favorite with swimmers, divers, and boaters. You can access the crystal-clear water by foot via the Rubicon Trail.
Looking for the perfect après hike venue? Grab a pint at South Lake Brewing Company to enjoy in the large beer garden, front patio, or indoor tasting room. And yes, it’s dog friendly.
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The five-mile round-trip hike along the shores of Echo Lake in the Desolation Wilderness hits the sweet spot of payoff to effort. But on the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), it’s another scenic stop along the epic journey. Located just shy of Mile 1,100 on the legendary thru-hike, Echo Lake is also one of the most accessible sections of the PCT in the area, especially when you take the scenic water taxi back to the trailhead ($22 one way), making it a 2.5-mile affair.
The Pacific Crest Trail at Echo Lake
The 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail isn’t just for hikers; it also makes for an epic multiday bikepacking trip (with several hike-only sections to plan around). The bike route meanders from flowy ridgeline singletrack to quiet forest roads and bustling but scenic roadways. Dedicated adventurers can take on the three-to-five-day route all at once—mountain bikes or hardtails are recommended over gravel bikes—but it can also be tackled in sections. Some of Tahoe’s most iconic areas are on or accessible from the TRT, including Mr. Toad’s, Freel Peak, Armstrong Pass, and the Flume Trail.
Around the Lake on the Trail
For those looking to extend their adventure, the Tahoe Twirl is an alternative 187-mile route that travels farther north toward Reno, incorporating forest roads, singletrack, and bike paths.
The most obvious road route in Tahoe is also its most stunning. The 72-mile ride around the lake is fittingly known as America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride, passing through tall pines, up challenging climbs, and along stunning shorelines. Due to its length, 4,000-foot elevation gain, and steady traffic, the ride is recommended for experts. The best way to tackle it is by starting early to beat the heat and traffic and heading clockwise so drivers can see you more easily. For added safety and camaraderie, join a group ride like the legendary Tour de Tahoe.
Around the Lake on the Road
For a family-friendly ride with the same epic views, visit the 2.6-mile East Shore Bike Path, one of the most scenic bike paths in the country.
There aren’t many rides in the world like the Flume Trail. Following the path of an 1800s water flume, this iconic trail offers incredible views in the region. Its nontechnical terrain also makes it accessible to a range of riders, although those afraid of heights might want to scout the steep drop-off. While it doesn’t have the same thrills and challenges of upper-mountain trails, expert riders shouldn’t overlook it. With the cobalt blue water of Lake Tahoe as a constant companion and smooth trails that don’t distract from the view, it’s the stuff of dreams. (Note: While the Flume Trail is temporarily closed in 2026, check out the Incline Flume Trail.)
Flume Trail
Visit Sky Tavern’s free community mountain bike park before or after your ride. Located near the start of the Flume Trail, it offers features for every ability level.
You’ll earn the remote serenity of Star Lake, but the seven-mile climb up the Cold Creek and Star Lake trails is worth the effort. This local favorite travels deep into the mountains, sprinkling in far-off views of Lake Tahoe and vistas of higher alpine landscapes like Heavenly Resort and Freel Peak. Brief technical sections will challenge Intermediate riders, and pretty much all riders will be challenged by the 2,800 feet of vert. Nestled below the upper peaks, Star Lake offers the perfect way to refresh and recharge.
Star Lake
For a truly epic day, take on the almost 24-mile Star Lake Loop. The loop connects the Star Lake Trail with the Tahoe Rim Trail through Heavenly and descends down the Van Sickle Trail.
Why is the Corral system known as the unofficial epicenter of Tahoe mountain biking? Because it has a bit of everything for everyone. This loopable, feature-rich playground serves up (mostly) downhill riding for thrill-seeking experts and newer riders testing out their airborne abilities. You can shuttle or ride up the paved Fountain Place Road before mixing and matching your way down. The system has multiple entry points, but you can’t miss Lower Corral. It’s nonstop fun with every feature you can dream of: hips, rollers, berms, jumps, rock rolls, and log rides.
Corral Trail System
If you continue up Fountain Place Road and the Armstrong Trail, you can head down Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Tahoe’s most iconic expert trail, with six miles of technical yet flowy downhill.
HIKING
BIKING
From mountain creeks to Lake Tahoe’s deep water, anglers get the best of both worlds here. The lake’s shorelines and inlets have plenty of rainbow and brown trout, but those searching for the lake’s biggest prizes—lake trout that can weigh up to 20 pounds—should go with a guide to the deeper reaches. Meanwhile, those who fly-fish have just as many options: To the north, you’ll find the trophy trout of the Truckee River System. South of the lake, you can explore the East Fork Carson River and its tributaries. California fishing permits are required year-round.
Fishing
One of the species you’ll find in Lake Tahoe is the kokanee salmon, which turns fiery red during its migration to spawn. They can be seen—and celebrated—at Fall Fish Fest at Taylor Creek.
For the experienced diver, Lake Tahoe is a magical playground below the surface. The famously clear waters have nearly everything a diver could want: sheer vertical cliffs sinking hundreds of feet into the lake, enormous rock outcroppings, massive schools of fish, and hundred-year-old wrecks. Your to-dive list should start with the Rubicon Wall, D.L. Bliss Underwater Park, and Emerald Bay Maritime Heritage Trail—all standouts.
Diving
New and inexperienced divers can charter a guided tour with places like Tahoe Dive Center to see the best of the best.
From tree-lined cliffs to sandy beaches and quiet wetlands, each stretch of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline reveals its own unique world. Find your slice of paddling paradise with the Lake Tahoe Water Trail. A comprehensive guide to Tahoe’s 72-mile shoreline, the Water Trail provides kayakers, canoers, and SUPers with launch sites, points of interest, campgrounds, trip-planning advice, and even wildlife-watching advice. Highlights include bird-watching in the wetlands by Kiva Beach—also home to fall salmon runs—and the rugged shoreline of Zephyr Cove.
Paddling
Always wanted to see just how clear Tahoe’s waters are? Rent a clear-bottom kayak from Clearly Tahoe.
There are plenty of ways to experience Lake Tahoe, but it’s hard to beat the simplicity of diving right into its cool, turquoise waters. The South Shore of the lake is home to plenty of popular sandy beaches, some of which have more free space to lay out a blanket than others. If you’re searching for a quieter atmosphere, the dog-friendly Kiva Beach has plenty of room to roam, while hike-in locations like Vikingsholm Beach, Chimney Beach, and Whiskey Cove (along the Rubicon Trail) are a bit off the beaten path.
Swimming and Beach Relaxing
Enjoy a good old-fashioned beach party at the free Live at Lakeview concert series, every Thursday in summer at El Dorado Beach.
If you want to get more than just a snapshot of what Mark Twain called “the fairest picture the whole earth affords,” you’d better do it with a motor on your side. The largest alpine lake in North America has plenty to explore, and whether you’re speeding along on a powerboat or cruising in a pontoon, it’s hard to beat a day on the water. There are countless rental operations around the lake, renting everything from jet skis to wakeboarding boats. Download the Tahoe Boating App—it’ll show you no-wake zones, fuel stations, bathrooms, and other points of interest.
Boating
The perfect cure for aching muscles after a day on the trail? A relaxing drink on the lake with the Rum Runner Yacht.
WATERSPORTS
Winter brings a gallery-like stillness to Lake Tahoe’s backcountry, and a guided snowmobile tour is the best way to dive right into the painting. You’ll cruise through a variety of landscapes as the scene around you transitions from foothills to forests to wide-open ridgelines. There are multiple outfitters with multiple tours each and no bad options. The Summit Snowmobile Tour from Lake Tahoe Adventures offers an immersive experience deep in the Tahoe mountains, while the Scenic Lakeview Tour from Zephyr Cove Resort gives you a bit of everything as it hugs the terrain near the water.
Snowmobiling
Zephyr Cove’s Scenic Lakeview Tour is also offered during full moons for a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
All the fun of skiing and snowboarding without all that pesky control to worry about. Sledding and tubing in Lake Tahoe is a great way to hang up the family’s ski boots for a day without sacrificing the fun. You’ll find machine-groomed tubing at Adventure Mountain, Tube Tahoe, and the Tahoe Snowmobiles Tubing Hill, making for a fast, fun, and convenient experience with no personal equipment required. For an all-natural experience, bring your own sleds to Sawmill Pond (best for young kids) or Kahle Park (best for lake views).
Sledding and Tubing
Lake Tahoe has made a dedicated effort to reduce plastic debris from broken sleds by partnering with local retail rental partners.
To the well-prepared snowshoer, each winter storm that settles over the Sierras is an opportunity to view familiar footpaths from a new perspective. It’s easy to plan a day trip with the South Lake Tahoe Snowshoe Map, which details nearly all the trails and hubs in the region. Start at the beginner-friendly Rabe Meadows to experience the quiet serenity of the lake before moving up to the intermediate trail system at Van Sickle Bi-State Park. Work up to the expert-rated trek up Maggie’s Peak from the Bayview Trailhead, an unforgettable way to go from shore to summit.
Snowshoeing
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association offers guided educational hikes throughout the winter with themes like Forest History, Wildlife Survival, and Tree Trivia.
Laid-back culture, diverse terrain parks, and board-friendly terrain await snowboarders (and skiers) at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort. It has a little bit of everything, with beginner and intermediate terrain off every lift and technical turns on the upper mountain. But the parks are the big draw. Not content to rest on the laurels of its incredible natural features (check out Huckleberry Bowl), Sierra’s been all-in on freestyle parks for more than 20 years. With eight parks and features progressing from beginner-friendly boxes all the way up to Tahoe’s only halfpipe, everyone can chase their own thrill.
Snowboarding
Skiers and snowboarders alike will also enjoy the iconic slopes and views at Heavenly Resort and Kirkwood Mountain Resort.
Featuring old-school vibes, epic terrain, and record-setting snowfall, Kirkwood Mountain Resort is the kind of place skiers (and snowboarders) dream about. When the upper mountain is blessed with fresh snow—which is often—the steep chutes, open bowls, and sprawling ridgelines reveal themselves as a winter playground. The Wall and Cornice Express lifts have iconic lines, but there’s room to paint your own path on this 2,300-acre canvas. Those willing to traverse may not have to ski the same tracks twice, thanks to quieter lift lines and the highest average snow totals in Tahoe.
Skiing
Kirkwood is also home to a cross-country ski center for those interested in a peaceful off-day adventure. If you’re looking for more downhill action, you can ski or snowboard at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort and Heavenly Resort.
SNOWSPORTS
Watch the SERIES
Watch "Beyond Awestruck: The Scientific Search for Connection"
Nothing caps off a day of adventure like a delicious local meal. In The Road Less Eaten, Outside TV’s culinary adventure series, Chef Biju Thomas travels to Tahoe to explore both the lake and the delectable local eateries that dot its shores. His advice? Ride, hike, or paddle, then try one (or all) of these:
Protect the Awe
Be Kind by Nature
Let’s Leave Less
Park with Heart
Enjoy Tahoe Time
Slowing down will be doing yourself a favor, too. Studies show that engaging with a sense of awe makes our perception of time feel slower, while rushing makes it speed by.
It would be great if we always got the parking spot right in front of the trailhead, but we shouldn’t create our own luck—or spaces. In Tahoe, Parking with Heart is about more than just being considerate in shared spaces. When cars park in undesignated, off-road areas, they kick up dirt and sediment, which finds its way into the lake and affects the famously clear water. Arrive at destinations during off-peak hours, practice patience at popular spots, or take the Lake Link.
If you need to park a bit farther from your destination, get your hiking app going and treat the walk for what it is—a scenic stroll in an incredible place. Or, rent a bike and pedal to nearby adventures.
In 2024, lakewide efforts to reduce litter led to a 75% decrease in the pounds of trash collected following the July Fourth weekend compared to 2023.
From the wildflowers that dot its mountain meadows to the black bears that roam through the trees, nature is an essential part of Lake Tahoe. Tahoe is home to all kinds of plant and animal species, and it’s important to respect that home. This means observing critters from a distance, driving the speed limit and staying alert for animal crossings, practicing proper bear safety, not feeding wild animals, and staying on-trail. And remember to spread kindness to all living things around you, including locals and visitors.
Visitors after mid-August are most likely to spot black bears, which spend the pre-winter months eating as much as possible before hibernation.
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Lake Tahoe has been a natural wonder for far longer than it’s been a vacation wonder. That’s important to remember at every bend in the trail. Protecting the Awe is about choosing the kindest, most sustainable, Tahoe-friendly choice to preserve those moments for future generations. There are many Tahoe-specific ways to help: Pack out and pick up trash, shop small and sustainable, avoid single-use plastic, walk or bike instead of driving, and be kind to all life, from trail to town.
Shopping in Tahoe businesses helps you reduce your carbon footprint with locally made items while putting money back into the community, which strengthens sustainability efforts.
The clearest blue water. The brightest green mountains. It’s awe and then some, but all this awesome doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from mutual respect for the South Shore, from locals and visitors alike. That’s why Visit Lake Tahoe created Rules to Lake By: five ways to practice responsible tourism.
The Awe Map
When Dr. Piff’s team went looking for places to inspire awe, they had plenty of Tahoe gems to choose from. These are just a few.
This easy-access escape features serene forest scenes and sprawling views of the lake. And your visit could do a lot more than fill an afternoon—according to Dr. Piff’s research, even two minutes in a forest setting produced mood changes. Bonus: From the park you can also access the Tahoe Rim Trail, a truly awe-inspiring trail that travels 165 miles around the whole lake.
One of Tahoe’s most all-encompassing views is also the site where Dr. Piff’s team collected extensive data on the effects of awe. And for good reason—it’s one of the best places to see Tahoe’s towering mountains set against the lake’s endless blue waters.
With dramatic views of Vikingsholm Castle, mountains galore, and the shimmering greens and blues of Emerald Bay, this popular viewpoint draws visitors for good reason. Early or late visitors will enjoy more solitude, but even if you have to share, it will be easy to see why this spot inspires awe.
What better way to experience the clear blue waters of Lake Tahoe than on a clear kayak? Dr. Piff says watching his kids experience the awe of this one-of-a-kind experience made him appreciate the lake in a whole new way.
AWE and then SOME
Awe. It’s a feeling we all seek. It takes your breath away. It blows your mind. It makes you grateful to be alive and, according to new research, that’s just the start. Experiencing awe, it turns out, has lasting and measurable benefits, according to a recent study by Dr. Paul Piff at the University of California, Irvine, which examined the effects of awe in one of the most awe-inspiring places in the world—Lake Tahoe.
The results were as astounding as the lake itself. After multiple studies involving more than a thousand participants, Dr. Piff and his team found that the effects of awe included measurable improvements on overall well-being, contentment, connection to the world, and care for the environment. Whether people were on the hiking trail, along the lakeshore, on the water, or looking out from stunning viewpoints, their feelings of awe had lasting effects. Learn more about this groundbreaking research in the three-part video series, “Beyond Awestruck: The Scientific Search for Connection,” then use the map and activity sections below as inspiration to go experience some of Lake Tahoe’s most awe-inspiring places for yourself.
Heavenly Gondola
Van Sickle State Park Trail
Inspiration Point, Emerald Bay
Clearly Tahoe Kayak Experience
The quieter shores of Fallen Leaf Lake give visitors the chance to experience the serenity of the mountains just a short drive from town. Awe can be found everywhere, from scenic camping spots to summit hikes and on the water itself.
Fallen Leaf Lake
This iconic Tahoe location is home to awe of all kinds, whether you’re relaxing on the mile-long sandy beach or paddling along some of the lake’s most rugged stretches of shoreline.
Zephyr Cove Beach
Experience the awe of the natural world along this accessible interpretive path. Visit in the fall to see hundreds of scarlet-red Kokanee salmon returning to their spawning grounds.
Rainbow Trail at Taylor Creek Visitor Center
This path travels 8.2 miles along Tahoe’s rugged shoreline, revealing jaw-dropping lake views along the way. Rubicon Point, an outcropping at the site of an old lighthouse, is a fitting place to take in the awe of Tahoe’s past and present.
Rubicon Trail
Location, location, location. Timber Cove, situated on the South Shore, affords both sunrise and sunset views. Between the easy access, glorious lake views, and awe-inspiring light shows, this is a must-visit place to start or end the day.
Timber Cove Marina
The Awe Scientist
It’s fitting that Dr. Piff studied the effects of awe at Lake Tahoe, as the California resident has spent years exploring the lake and surrounding wilderness. His research, which often studies people before and after an awe-inspiring experience, has surprised him with its wide-reaching effects on well-being.
As a longtime social psychologist, he’s particularly interested in the social improvements. Awe-inspired people are more helpful, ethical, contented, and connected. “Nature could be thought of as asocial, since people go to get away,” he says, “but they come back and feel reconnected to everything.”
Dr. Piff was drawn toward the study of awe by its correlation with his field at the time—the study of human morality and social connections—as well as his own awe-inspired experiences hiking in Tahoe’s Desolation Wilderness and sea kayaking in the Pacific. And since the study of awe is relatively new, really picking up in the past 15 years or so, it gave him the chance to be at the forefront of a pioneering kind of research.
His most memorable experiment took place at the Heavenly Gondola, where one group spent two minutes at a viewpoint while the other visited the gift shop. Just two minutes spent taking in the view made a measurable change. “Awe blows your mind,” Dr. Piff says. “It’s an experience so complex that you need to change your viewpoint to make sense of it.”
Awe BY THE NUMBERS
Science has spoken: Spending time in awe-inspiring places like Lake Tahoe can improve your well-being, happiness, connection, and more
Paul K. Piff, Associate Professor of Psychology at UC Irvine
The Road LEss Eaten
Be Kind by Nature
Enjoy Tahoe Time
Park with Heart
Let’s Leave Less
Protect the Awe
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When it comes to stressing over schedules, your trip to Tahoe will be full of crossroads; the community of Lake Tahoe invites you to take the slow path and join Tahoe Time. Linger a bit longer with a summit picnic. Take a stroll while you wait for your table at a popular eatery. Remind yourself whenever you can that this trip won’t last forever—soak in what’s around you. The locals who make Tahoe tick will appreciate your zen, and maybe your fellow visitors will take a cue from you, too.
The evidence of your trip to Lake Tahoe should only live on your camera roll. The best visitors leave things as they found them, so always pack out what you pack in, whether it’s a protein bar wrapper, bottle, can, or a leave-behind from your four-legged friend. (Bonus points if you bring a small trash bag to pack out what others left.) You can keep up your footprint-reducing efforts in town, too. Bring a reusable bottle and Drink Tahoe Tap—it’s some of the purest water in the country.
Here’s a quieter kind of awe: basking in the glow of a great day outdoors with a great night out with family or friends. Whether you go classy or casual, grab a table with a view of the lake and enjoy a well-earned meal as the light fades on the water.
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STATELINE
Rainbow Trail
INSPIRATION POINT, EMERALD BAY
CLEARLY TAHOE
KAYAK
HEAVENLY GONDOLA
STATELINE
RUBICON TRAIL
VAN SICKLE STATE PARK TRAIL
ZEPHYR COVE BEACH
TIMBER COVE MARINA
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Locally sourced and Latin-inspired dishes
3.
Elegant but accessible seasonal dishes
2.
Authentic Creole cooking and live jazz
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Latin American fusion at the lakeside
Azul Latin Kitchen
Toulouse
Maggie's REstaurant
Elements Eatery
FALLEN LEAF LAKE
FPO
20%
9%
33%
Awe BY THE NUMBERS
Adventures
Awe boosts environmental stewardship by more than
A quick hike can make you happier and more positive by
Two minutes of mindful appreciation of Lake Tahoe increased happiness by
12%
Awe experiences lead to a greater connection to the world by
“Our study of awe showed focusing on an epic view for just two minutes can significantly increase happiness."
8%
Taking time to appreciate the lake increased life satisfaction by
14%
A short hike in Lake Tahoe increased feeling of gratitude by
10%
Experiencing awe increased spiritual connection with nature by
“Our research shows awe resets the mind.”
34%
Experiencing the majesty of Tahoe raised feelings of awe by
Paddling on Lake Tahoe showed a reduction in anxiety by 7%
- Dr. Paul Piff
- Dr. Paul Piff
ILLUSTRATIONS MARCOS CHIN
23.5% Of participants experienced a sense of oneness with all things
12.6% Of participants had goosebumps
Two minutes of an epic view boosts awe up to
COMING MARCH 30
70%
70%
Of participants noticed time slowing
40%
The research is in and there’s no doubt: experiencing awe is good for the mind, body, and soul. Whether you stay at a luxury resort, a lively casino hotel, or a cozy cabin in the woods, the awe never stops when the is your basecamp.
After riding the Heavenly Gondola