Welcome to the jewel of Nevada, Lake Tahoe. The largest alpine lake in the United States, Lake Tahoe is 22 by 12 miles of crystal clear water and 72 miles of pristine shoreline. It is a water-sports mecca in the summer and
snow heaven in the winter.
Zephyr Cove, on the southeast shore, is always lively with Jet Skiing, boating, parasailing and lounging on the beach. This is also where one of the lake’s large paddle-wheel cruise boats, the M.S. Dixie, docks. Lunch boat tours are a great way to see the beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains, while evening dinner-dance cruises lend a touch of romance to the night.
The south shore is where you’ll find most of the large hotel-casinos, including
Harrah’s,
Harveys and
MontBleu in the town of Stateline. At the base of the
Heavenly ski resort is a wonderful shopping and dining area called the Heavenly Village, all within easy walking distance of the hotel.
Things on the north shore move at a slower pace, celebrating the quiet mountain life. The
Hyatt Lake Tahoe in Incline Village is a grand hotel with “old-Tahoe” charm and modern amenities. It boasts a private beach and pier, all equipped with wireless Internet access. The nearby
Cal-Neva Resort is in Crystal Bay and straddles the Nevada-California state line with the border running right through the hotel and pool. The hotel was once owned by Frank Sinatra and was frequented by his close circle of friends, including Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
Squaw Valley USA on the north shore is world-famous for hosting the 1960 Winter Olympic Games, and it is just one of 18 alpine ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area, all sharing the powdery Sierra snow. The ski resorts and surrounding backcountry offer vast snowshoeing and cross-country skiing terrain for all skill levels.
When the snow melts and the high-altitude air cools the hot summer sun, the
Tahoe Rim Trail is a popular destination for hikers from all over the world, in the winter months. The 165-mile trail system passes through two states, six counties, one state park, three national forests and three natural wilderness areas. There are several trailheads all around the lake with varying degrees of difficulty and length. Try one portion at a time or strive for the 165-Mile Club, the elite hikers who have traversed the entire Tahoe Rim Trail.
Download the Nevada State Parks Brochure or the Nevada Scenic Byways Guide here to learn more about the trails and shoreline drive at Lake Tahoe.