11 Scenic Views around Lake Tahoe
Surrounded by the breathtaking Sierra Nevada mountains and the lush Tahoe National Forest, Lake Tahoe is full of incredible scenic views around the entire lake that you won’t want to miss.
The scenic drive around Lake Tahoe is 72 miles and will take you around 2-3 hours of driving time.
I recommend starting early and planning on spending a full day driving the loop. That will give you plenty of time to hike, take pictures, and take a dip (or a few) in the lake.
Best Lake Tahoe View Spots
You can view all 11 scenic stops around Lake Tahoe in one day, but I recommend spending at least 3 days in the area so you can thoroughly enjoy Lake Tahoe from the beach, the water, and the trail.
1) Sunrise over Emerald Bay
Sunset at Inspiration Point
The most photographed part of Lake Tahoe is Emerald Bay, specifically during sunrise.
This southern cove is located 30 minutes from South Lake Tahoe and shows off the iconic landscape of Lake Tahoe and the only island to inhabit Lake Tahoe - Fannette Island.
While there are many places to view the sunrise over Emerald Bay, the easiest one to get to is the Emerald Bay State Park lookout (see Google Maps).
There is a decent size parking lot here just off the highway, but it can fill up during the busy summer months.
As the snow melts Eagle Falls will start to flow abundantly down the granite walls near the lookout, making for an incredible photograph!
Local tip- I’d skip over Inspiration Point as the views are more obstructed here.
2) Maggie Peak
Maggie Peak - Best Views of South Lake Tahoe
If you want to see the best view of South Lake Tahoe, you’ll have to hike the 4 miles to Maggie Peak. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of not only South Lake Tahoe but also Fallen Leaf Lake and Cascade Lake.
The trailhead is right across the street from Inspiration Point, and you can either park there or along the side of the road if the parking lot is full.
Once open, the closest access to the trailhead is from Bayview Campground.
The hike to Maggie’s Peaks is a challenging 4 miles with almost 1,800 feet of elevation gain, so be prepared to get your heart pumping.
If you are traveling from a lower elevation location, I recommend waiting on this hike until day 2 or 3 of your trip to allow your body to acclimate.
Regardless, bring plenty of water and take breaks to avoid elevation sickness.
You can bring your dog along on this hike, which is always a plus for us. Our dog loved swimming in Granite Lake, which makes for a great picnic spot if you want to take a break for lunch.
3) Rubicon Point at D.L. Bliss State Park
Best Lake Tahoe beach at D.L. Bliss State Park
You don’t need to hike up a mountain to get great views of the lake from the trail. The Rubicon Point Lighthouse hike is only a 2.4-mile round trip with minimal elevation gain.
The trail follows along Lake Tahoe, with views almost the entire way. Rubicon Point Light, the highest-elevation lighthouse in the U.S.
If you want a bit more of an adventure, the Rubicon Trail connects D.L. Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay State Park. This route is 5 miles each way.
D.L. Bliss State Park does not allow dogs on trails or at the beach. As with most areas around Lake Tahoe, this policy is strictly enforced.
Entrance to D.L. State Park costs $10 per vehicle and there is a decent-sized parking area right in front of the beach and trailhead.
Local Tip — Stop at Tahoma Deli for the best coffee & sandwiches in Lake Tahoe!
4) Lake Tahoe Scenic Overlook
While adventuring along the Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive, you cannot miss stopping at the Lake Tahoe Scenic Overlook. No hiking involved, you can drive right up to this popular spot just north of Incline Village.
Here you'll overlook the most famous beaches of North Lake Tahoe with panoramic views of the north shore.
In winter this viewpoint is still accessible and showcases a mesmerizing view of the Lake Tahoe being surrounded by the snow-capped mountains.
If you want an even better view during summer and you enjoy hiking, I’d skip this spot and head over to the next one on this list.
5) Monkey Rock - Lake Tahoe View
Can you spot Monkey Rock?
A fairly easy 2.6-mile hike to Monkey Rock will reward you with stunning views over some of the best-known beaches of Lake Tahoe.
The water below is a teal green near the shoreline and fades into the deep blue. Monkey Rock actually looks like a monkey. This is a great hike to acclimate your lungs and is doable for all ages!
Even though the hike is short, remember to bring sunscreen and plenty of water. The trail is mostly in the sun, and the Nevada sun gets hot.
Parking for the trailhead is located in a few pullouts along the road near Tunnel Creek Cafe. Because this is a popular hike, parking can be difficult during peak hours (10:00 am - 5:00 pm).
6) Flume Trail
image courtesy of www.flumetrailtahoe.com
Lake Tahoe has some of the best mountain biking trails in the country. If you are feeling adventurous, I recommend checking out the Flume Trail near Incline Village.
The moderately difficult Flume Trail winds through the forest for 10 miles high above Lake Tahoe, providing some epic views of the lake along the way.
The Flume Trail is one-way and mainly downhill. You can get a shuttle to the top from Flume Trail Mountain Bikes. They also provide bike rentals if you didn’t travel with your own bike.
If you are looking for a calmer experience on 2 wheels, the Tahoe East Shore Trail was named “America’s Most Beautiful Bikeway”. This paved route follows the northeastern lakeshore 3 miles from Incline Village to Sand Harbor and provides beautiful views along the way.
7) Sand Harbor State Park
Sand Harbor Beach is the most beautiful stretch of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline. The long sandy beach slopes gently into the perfect teal water.
Unlike other beaches along Lake Tahoe’s east shore, the parking lot is very close to the lake meaning you won’t have to hike your gear down to the water. The downside of this is that everyone has a full setup, and the beach gets crowded.
Good news, Sand Harbor is one of the best spots in the world to launch your kayak or paddle board. If you head south from the beach, you can paddle around granite boulders and explore hidden beach coves. Bonsai Rock, a popular rock to cliff jump from, is 1 mile south of Sand Harbor Beach.
Bonsai Rock - Lake Tahoe
If you don’t have your own floatable, Clearly Tahoe Rentals at Sand Harbor Beach offers a variety of kayak and paddle board rentals, including clear-bottom boats perfect for Lake Tahoe’s crystal clear water.
Because of its beauty and popularity, parking at Sand Harbor fills up quickly. They open the gate at 8:00 am, and the lot is full by 9:30 am during the summer. Parking for the day is $10 for NV plates and $15 for out-of-state plates. Sadly, no dogs are allowed here.
The water in Lake Tahoe tops out around 60 degrees F in the summer. The cold water leads to the risk of cold water shock, which can be dangerous even for the best of swimmers. Don’t swim / boat alone, and always make sure you have a life vest available.
8) Chimney Beach and Secret Cove
Chimney Beach - Lake Tahoe
If you weren’t able to get a parking spot at Sand Harbor, Chimney Beach is just down the road.
Chimney Beach is one of our favorite beaches because there are a few swimming areas to choose from and they are all full of the iconic Lake Tahoe boulders that you can climb on and jump off (due so at your own risk).
Additionally, Chimney Beach has an actual chimney in the middle of the beach left from an old caretaker’s cabin.
The one drawback of Chimney Beach is you have to hike a rather steep half mile down to the beach from the parking area, while Sand Harbor’s parking is right on the lake. This is also why Sand Harbor’s parking lot fills up first every morning.
On the upside, parking is free here if you can snag a spot. If not, you can also park along the highway in the designated areas.
If you don’t mind the short trek, this is another amazing place to launch a kayak or paddle board. You’ll find a lot more secluded beaches as you paddle down the coast since they are harder to get to by foot.
If you’re looking for the infamous Secret Cove Nude Beach, you’ll want to stay on the trail another half mile past Chimney Beach.
I highly recommend wearing hiking sandals or shoes to get to either of these trails since they are so steep.
9) Whale Beach
Just down the shore from Chimney Beach and Secret Cove lies the less populated Whale Beach. Named after the rocks jetting out of the water that looks like a whale’s back, this beach has a nice size cove with plenty of places to take beautiful photos.
Whale Beach is less populated because you’ll have to hike around 3/4 of a mile to get here, and again down a steep trail, but if you’re up for the trek you’ll be rewarded with more solitude than Sand Harbor or Chimney Beach.
10) Cave Rock
As you drive around scenic Lake Tahoe, you’ll go right through one of the most iconic tunnels in the area - Cave Rock. This 300 foot high volcanic rock formation stands momentously over the east shores of Lake Tahoe.
There is a short parking area off the highway just south of the tunnel that will lead you to the trailhead.
A short 0.8-mile, easy hike up the side of Highway 50 ends with a small scramble that will lead you to killer sunset views over Lake Tahoe. I’d honestly go any time of day, but the sunset is exceptional here!
11) Heavenly Ski Resort Gondola
Whether you’re visiting during summer or winter, the 2.4 mile ride up in the Heavenly Mountain Resort Gondola offers some of the most expansive views of South Lake Tahoe.
Make sure you stop on your way up at the Observation Deck for photos as you cannot stop on the way down.
Tickets cost $69 for adults and $34 for children. Operating hours are from 9am - 4pm.
Pro tip - Before you hop on the gondola, stop in Heavenly Donuts right in the middle of Heavenly Village! They are the perfect snack while you ride up to the Observation Deck.
Map - Scenic Views Lake Tahoe
Tips - Driving around Lake Tahoe
If it’s your first time visiting, the most scenic part of Lake Tahoe is the Northeast side where you’ll find picturesque sandy beaches like Sand Harbor State Park where you can kayak to the giant boulders like Bonsai Rock.
Traffic around Lake Tahoe can be brutal, especially during peak summer and ski season. Always check the Lake Tahoe Traffic and Road Conditions so you know of any road closures and construction.
Because of the traffic, biking is the best way to get around the towns surrounding Lake Tahoe. While the bike path doesn’t go completely around the lake, there are long stretches that you can ride along the water.
Many of the scenic spots around Lake Tahoe have very limited phone service. Download on offline map from Google or Apple maps, or stop by the visitor center for paper map.
There are plenty of gas stations located in the towns around the lake. Be prepared to spend at least a little more per gallon than you are used to due to it being a tourist area.
Best Months to Visit Lake Tahoe
June - August is peak season in the Lake Tahoe area. The popular beaches and trails will be crowded. The roads will be full of cars, and parking will be difficult to find.
However, there is a reason so many people travel to Lake Tahoe during the summer - it is gorgeous.
Temperatures typically are in the 80s during the day and 50s at night. If you want to lounge on the beach in the hot sun or explore the lake on a paddleboard, come during the summer.
April - May and September - October are shoulder seasons, which is a great time to visit Lake Tahoe if you want to avoid crowds.
If you are coming in April or May, be prepared for high-elevation trails to be closed due to snow hanging around from the winter.
November - March is ski season in Lake Tahoe. During a typical winter, Lake Tahoe receives around 25 feet of snow, making many beach and hiking adventures impossible. The road around the lake can be closed during heavy snow, so plan accordingly.
Where to Stay Around Lake Tahoe
There are 4 main towns around Lake Tahoe where you can find hotels:
South Lake Tahoe: South Lake Tahoe is the largest town that is on the lake. Located near the southeast corner of the lake, it is your best bet for standard chain hotels, restaurants, and shopping.
Tahoe City: Tahoe City is a small town on the northwest side of the lake. There are a few boutique hotels and inns to choose from. I love Tahoe City for its location. The town sits at the start of the Truckee River and you can get to Emerald Bay or Sand Harbor in under an hour.
Incline Village: Incline Village is a ski resort town in the northeast corner of Lake Tahoe. There you can find a few higher-end hotels including the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Resort. Because Incline Village is in Nevada, expect your hotel to also be a casino.
Truckee: If you want to get away from the crowds and don’t mind staying off the lake, Truckee is an awesome town with bars, restaurants, and a less touristy feel. Truckee has quite a few hotel options, including chains that you will recognize. Keep in mind that if you stay in Truckee, you will have to drive 20 minutes to get to Lake Tahoe.
