Top Lake Tahoe Outdoor Activities

If you’re looking for a little summertime adventure on the water, a Lake Tahoe parasailing experience is the ideal way to enjoy the natural beauty of this alpine region. Fly high above the lake as you’re pulled behind a speedboat, taking in views of the mountains and clear blue water. When booking, you have three height options to choose from.

Climb aboard a traditional paddlewheeler and embark on a scenic cruise around Lake Tahoe’s world-famous Emerald Lake. Learn about how the bay was formed, hear tales about Fannette Island, and discover Vikingsholm Castle from your included audio guide. Choose to enjoy the scenery and fresh air outside or sit indoors in a climate-controlled seating area. Pack light: lunch and a full-service bar are available for purchase.

Carson Valley and the Pine Nut Mountains are known for their scenery—but exploring by standard vehicle, it isn’t easy getting access to the most dramatic desert landscapes. Get an off-road nature immersion during this private UTV tour, which lets you traverse rugged, picturesque routes deep in the wilderness—and includes get-down photo stops along the way.

See Lake Tahoe from a whole new perspective on a small-group guided tour in clear kayaks. Follow your lifeguard-certified guide and paddle around Lake Tahoe's scenic East Shore from Sand Harbor to hidden coves and highlights such as Bonsai Rock. On hot days, you can even take a dip in the waters to cool off while you soak up the scenery.

Two times the fun because up to 2 riders can enjoy a Sea-Doo Jet Ski rental in and out of the harbor. Our GTI Sea-Doos are ideal for couples, small groups, or solo adventures.

Experience Emerald Bay's waters at sunset with this evening cruise on the largest cruising vessel in South Lake Tahoe. You won't have to make dinner plans, as your choice of ribeye, chicken, salmon, or a vegetarian option is included with the cruise. Combine dinner with stunning views of the area on board.

Discover the unparalleled beauty of Lake Tahoe with Shaka Guide's audio tour. Immerse yourself in stunning views and rich history as you explore both the California and Nevada sides of the lake. Let the knowledgeable narrator be your guide, providing fascinating insights and highlighting the best spots. From Vikingsholm Castle to Emerald Bay, you'll uncover hidden gems and iconic landmarks. Enjoy the flexibility to explore at your own pace, with the freedom to pause or skip ahead. Experience the magic of Lake Tahoe with Shaka Guide, creating unforgettable memories along the way. *Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*

Take a break from Lake Tahoe's nature with a magic show. Prebooking your ticket guarantees your spot, and the show is appropriate for the whole family. See a mix of illusions, humor, and tricks on stage without needing to head all the way to Las Vegas.

Group tours of any kind can either go too fast or too slow, making for a less than ideal experience. Explore Lake Tahoe at your own pace with this self-guided electric bike tour on East Shore Trail and make stops when you choose to. Your journey along the trail ends at Sand Harbor, a popular beach area for swimming and boating.

Kayaking the lake at dusk is always a magical experience. Imagine yourself gliding across the clear waters of Lake Tahoe as they change from emerald blue to pink and purple. As you look up into the sky, you will see the sun slowly sinking behind the majestic peaks of Lake Tahoe’s West Shore. This is one unforgettable experience you will not want to miss.

What makes this experience truly unique is that it is the world's only hot air balloon adventure that launches and lands from a custom vessel floating on the waters of Lake Tahoe. Unlike traditional balloon rides, your journey begins aboard the Tahoe Flyer before sunrise, where you'll cruise on the tranquil lake surrounded by stunning Sierra Nevada scenery. Over approximately 4 to 5 hours, you'll enjoy scenic cruising to and from launch and landing and about one hour of flight time above one of America's most beautiful alpine destinations. As you gently drift through the sky, take in panoramic views of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay, surrounding mountain peaks, and pristine wilderness from a perspective few travelers ever experience. Safety is the highest priority, and our experienced balloon pilot and boat captain carefully evaluate weather conditions before every flight. From start to finish, the friendly crew is dedicated to creating a safe, memorable, and once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Kayaking the lake at dusk is always a magical experience. Imagine yourself gliding across the clear waters of Lake Tahoe as they change from emerald blue to pink and purple. As you look up into the sky, you will see the sun slowly sinking behind the majestic peaks of Lake Tahoe’s West Shore. This is one unforgettable experience you will not want to miss.

Explore the Tahoe backcountry on a guided ATV adventure designed for all experience levels. After a scenic shuttle ride to the trailhead, guests will receive a beginner-friendly safety briefing and guided practice session before heading onto the trails. Ride through scenic forest terrain and mountain landscapes on the way to a beautiful hidden alpine lake tucked away in the Tahoe wilderness. Along the way, enjoy off-road riding, fresh mountain air, and incredible photo opportunities surrounded by nature. Once at the lake, guests can relax by the water, cool off with a swim during warmer months, take photos, or enjoy snacks and lunch brought from home before riding back through the Tahoe backcountry. This experience is beginner-friendly, guided from start to finish, and designed to offer a fun and memorable outdoor adventure in South Lake Tahoe. Drivers must be 18 years or older. No drivers license required.

All Equipment Provided – Premium recurve bows & full safety gear Stunning Outdoor Range – Practice in fresh alpine air Certified Instructors – Patient, encouraging coaching

Paddle your way through California's flora and fauna on a whitewater rafting tour down the Truckee River—with a guide on-hand to provide help throughout. Begin with easy rapids as you pass by the scenery of the Tahoe National Forest, then build up to intermediate-level, Class III rapids and an exhilarating finish in the Floriston Gorge. On hot days, you can enjoy a swimming break in natural pools along the way.

This is not your typical Emerald Bay boat tour. Along with a scenic cruise aboard Lake Tahoe’s most intimate public tour, guests also get the rare chance to step off the boat and enjoy a walking tour of Vikingsholm Castle. That added on-shore experience makes the tour feel far more immersive than simply cruising by, giving guests the opportunity to explore one of Tahoe’s most iconic landmarks up close while taking in the beauty of Emerald Bay from both the water and the shoreline.

Paddle into the night on this bucket list experience! Explore nature along the shoreline as you paddle out onto Lake Tahoe with the moonlight on the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Relax and enjoy the bright stars up above with the illumination of colorful LED lights below!

Explore the shoreline of beautiful South Lake Tahoe on this 2 1/2 hour guided tour. Paddle out on crystal clear, snow-fed water while hearing colorful stories of Tahoe's most prominent landmarks and important personalities. This is the perfect tour for families and visitors looking to learn more about this treasured landscape on an easy paddle near Tahoe City. Your launch spot next to the Lakeview Commons boat ramp is one of the closest access points to paddle past the wildlife preserve near Secret Beach, the Upper Truckee River mouth (with lots of wildlife viewing opportunities), and the sweeping views of peaks above Emerald Bay. This tour is appropriate for beginner paddlers and experts, alike.

Gear up for Lake Tahoe's one-and-only electric dirtbike thrill ride —where tourist crowds get left in the dust! Ditch boring eBikes and yawn-worthy bike paths for heart-pumping action on hidden trails with jaw-dropping Lake Tahoe views. Feel the rush of a dirtbike's power and agility, minus the gear-shifting hassle or clutch use—thanks to dual motors (2x2) that conquer rugged mountains like a boss! We'll kick things off with fun, easy lessons before blasting off to our private, off-road hotspots. As the exclusive outfitter offering e-dirt biking in Lake Tahoe, we're rocking new 2x2 beasts you won't find at any rental or e-bike spots. *Craving a specific date or a bigger group?* Hit up our South Lake Tahoe office—we've got you! And remember to bundle up for those snowy escapades. This adrenaline-packed adventure is moderately challenging—perfect for adventurers with solid coordination, but not for the faint-hearted.

Travel back to the old Wild West—and see a side of the region many other visitors miss—on this tour from South Lake Tahoe to Virginia City, Nevada. Start your day trip by minibus, driving part of the old Pony Express route. When you reach Virginia City, a National Historic Landmark District, take a round-trip ride aboard the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad before enjoying free time in town.

South Lake Tahoe can be slammed with tourists at any time of the year. Avoid the masses on land by prebooking this Emerald Bay helicopter tour. Take off from South Lake Tahoe and fly above the area to see main highlights such as Fallen Leaf Lake, Cascade Lake, Pope Beach, and Taylor Creek. Learn about Emerald Bay as you fly with live commentary provided.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure as you explore the clear, vibrant waters of Lake Tahoe in a fully transparent kayak. Glide over colorful rock formations, schools of fish, and shimmering sandbars, all visible through your kayak's crystal-clear base. Choose from morning, midday, or sunset tours for a completely different vibe each time. Our experienced guides lead you along the most scenic parts of the lake, sharing fun facts about Tahoe’s history, ecology, and hidden gems along the shoreline. This one-of-a-kind experience is perfect for families, couples, solo travelers, and photographers looking for an epic and unique view of Lake Tahoe’s natural beauty. No previous kayaking experience needed — we’ll provide all the training and safety gear you need for a fun, worry-free day on the water! Please be advised that weight limits on a single kayak are 250 lbs and a tandem is 375 lbs.

Sail Tahoe Blue is the premier sailing charter in South Lake Tahoe. We offer a unique sailing adventure and include complementary local beer and wine, as well as non-alcoholic beverages on all of our daily cruises. Unlike other tour boats which take 50+ passengers, our sailing yacht, "Blue", limits our capacity to 18 passengers. If you care to enjoy the beauty of propulsion by Mother Nature without the sound and smell of an engine, come sail with us!

One of the best ways to experience Lake Tahoe is to get out on the water. With this private charter on a yacht-class boat with a dedicated captain, you can explore the lake the way you want with a group of up to six passengers. Enjoy the scenery and stop at highlights such as Emerald Bay, D.L. Bliss State Park, and secluded bays and beaches around the lake.