Your tour of Lake Tahoe begins at the Tahoe South Visitor Center in South Lake Tahoe. From here, you’ll embark on a scenic journey around the lake which some have called the most beautiful lake in the United States. Along the way, you’ll pick up essential history, pass top notch hiking trails, and of course have plenty of opportunity to visit the lakeshore!

NOTE: This 88+mile-long tour covers the essentials of Lake Tahoe in 2-3 hours.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Pope Cabin owes its name to its eccentric former owner, George Pope. Pope called this home the Vatican, and would bring celebrities out for all kinds of crazy parties. While Pope and his family vacationed here, they hired a retinue of 35 servants!

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Pope Beach is one of Lake Tahoe’s 40 public beaches. It’s defined by dunes and pine trees and makes for a perfect swimming, boating, or picnicking spot. Entry is $8 most days, but can go up to $20 on peak holidays.

• Admission Ticket Included

Like Valhalla, Vikingsholm is built to emulate the architecture of Scandinavian castles. This 38-room mansion sports Norse carvings around the entrances and Nordic dragons on its roof. It also boasts a view that rivals any of Norway’s fjords!

• Admission Ticket Included

Emerald Bay gets its name for the lovely green hue created by the sun shining on the bay’s crystal clear waters. At Emerald Bay State Park, you’ll have the opportunity to embark on all manner of activities in this water, from kayaking to scuba diving and beyond. If you didn’t bring your own gear, don’t worry, the park offers rentals!

• Admission Ticket Included

Eagle Falls Trail leads to the only waterfall that flows into Lake Tahoe. This moderate, 2-mile hike is a hugely popular stop, and for good reason. The trail boasts not just the beautiful waterfall at the end, but also some splendid views along the way.

• Admission Ticket Included

Meeks Bay features a pristine white sand beach that’s perfect for lounging lakeside. The water also remains shallow for a long way out, making this a great spot for families. This beach can get pretty crowded in the summer, so it’s important to plan ahead.

• Admission Ticket Included

An optional detour can take you to Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. As the name would suggest, sugar pines dominate this park. Interestingly, a huge portion of this 2,500-acre park is new growth forest due to heavy logging in the 1800s.

• Admission Ticket Included

If you’re visiting in the winter, you won’t want to miss this detour. Olympic Valley, high in the Sierra Nevada, offers some of the best skiing areas in the region. It has actually hosted the Winter Olympics, hence the name!

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Tahoe City Visitor Information Center marks just how far you’ve come. Located on the north side of the lake, it’s a great place to pause, find restrooms, and pick up snacks for the final leg of your journey.

• Admission Ticket Free

Carnelian Bay is a popular, picturesque spot which was once famous for something besides its postcard beauty. Back in the 1930s and 1940s, this was a major destination for boat racing! Today, it’s a great spot for fishing, paddleboarding, and all sorts of other activities.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kings Beach is one of the warmest beaches on the lakeshore, so if you’re wary of the chilly alpine waters, this is the spot for you! The recreation area also features a playground and a basketball court, and there are plenty of well-shaded picnic tables here as well. It’s got a little something for everyone.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Memorial Point Trail is an easy half-mile hike along the lakeside. It offers some seriously unbeatable views, so make sure to keep your camera at the ready!

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Sand Harbor isn’t just another beach. It features unique rock formations that make it a favorite spot among scuba divers, and has some of the clearest water of anywhere on the lakeshore. It’s also where you’ll find the trailhead for the fully accessible Sand Point Trail.

• Admission Ticket Free

Logan Shoals is hands down one of the best vistas of Lake Tahoe. It rises 300 feet above the lake, offering panoramic views of the water and the lush greenery all around. There’s a reason this is a hugely popular wedding spot!

• Admission Ticket Free

Cave Rock, also known as the Lady of the Lake, is the remnant of an old volcanic core. This three million year old rock was very important to the Washoe people. Today, it’s a popular sunbathing spot and fishing hole. This is the last stop along your tour route, but there are plenty more optional stops to keep the journey going.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free