North Lake Tahoe

Only a two-hour drive from Sacramento, cobalt-blue Lake Tahoe is Northern California’s mountain playground. North Lake Tahoe towns—Tahoe City, Truckee, Kings Beach, and Carnelian Bay—set the stage for summertime fun by the lake and wintertime snow play. Whatever your favorite season, these communities have vacations covered with gear rentals and tours, ample dining and nightlife options, and lodgings that range from luxury resorts to knotty-pine cabins. Combine all that with North Lake Tahoe's cozy mountain-town vibes and you have a perfect recipe for alpine play, lakeside dining, and fireside chats.  

Fun on the Water in North Lake Tahoe

In summer, the mountain wildflowers appear at Lake Tahoe, and so do the ways to have fun on the water—stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, speed boats, and almost anything that floats.

Cruise the lake aboard the paddle-wheeler Tahoe Gal, or steer your own (much smaller) craft. Rent a jet ski or open-bow boat from North Tahoe Watersports or take waterski lessons from High Sierra Water Ski School. Try stand-up paddling or aqua biking at Kings Beach Recreation Area. Join in a guided kayak tour with Tahoe Adventure Company or Tahoe City Kayak.

For family-friendly fun, rent an inner tube or raft and float the Truckee River. In Tahoe City, Truckee River Rafting or Truckee River Raft Company can set you up with gear to gently bob downstream to River Ranch Lodge, an 1888 stone-and-timber tavern. Nab lunch on the deck, then ride a shuttle back to your starting point.

North Lake Tahoe Mountain Trails

See Lake Tahoe from way up high by hiking a section of the Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165-mile path that traverses the basin's high ridgeline. For an easy half-day jaunt, stroll to Picnic Rock from Brockway Summit to savor blue-water views or wander through the wildflowers at Page Meadows. Other great North Lake Tahoe hikes include the trek to Castle Peak's volcanic turrets or the half-day ascent up Shirley Canyon at Palisades Tahoe.

There are also plenty of hikes accessible to all: The paved, 10-mile Truckee River Trail is popular with cyclists, walkers, and runners. The 2.6-mile out-and-back Pine Drop Trail is also paved and ends at an outdoor recreation center. The 2.2-mile Olympic Village Bike Trail has a small section that is paved where you will share the road with cars, but otherwise, is a peaceful route appropriate for hikers of all ages and abilities.

Snow Activities in North Lake Tahoe

In winter, melt some snow at the North Lake Tahoe's big resorts—Palisades Tahoe, Sugar Bowl, or Northstar California—or skip over to smaller ski hills like Homewood, Granlibakken, or Donner Ski Ranch. Try out a skinnier pair of sticks at Royal Gorge, North America’s largest cross-country ski resort with 100 groomed trails for cross-country striders and skate-skiers. North Lake Tahoe has plenty of activities for non-skiers, too, from aerial tram rides to tubing hills and ice-skating rinks.

Restaurants in North Lake Tahoe

Any meal in North Lake Tahoe tastes better with a view of its remarkably blue waters (here’s an extensive list of dining establishments). In Carnelian Bay, score a spot on Gar Woods' lakefront deck for fish tacos and rum-rich cocktails. Cozy up with baked brie and braised short ribs at Jake's on the Lake in Tahoe City, or reserve a table at Christy Hill for Mediterranean-inspired cuisine paired with a lofty lake view. Near Homewood, Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge doles out fish tacos and a summer-party atmosphere—even in January—while Lone Eagle Grille delivers on lakefront après-ski warm-ups and date-night dining with rustic yet grand stone-and-wood ambience.

Where to Stay in North Lake Tahoe

You’ll find a wide range of lodgings in North Lake Tahoe, from luxury resorts to cozy cabins, and everything in between. For those looking for upscale digs, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe provides a sophisticated mountain retreat with ski-in, ski-out access, a full-service spa, and exceptional dining. Equally splurge-worthy is Everline Resort & Spa in Olympic Valley; skiing in winter and hiking and golfing in the summer are just steps away. Cost-wise, there are also many mid-tier hotel options; for a more budget-conscious stay, Kings Beach's Stevenson's Holliday Inn offers affordable accommodations with a short walk to the beach.

For those who prefer a cabin or vacation rental, Northstar California Resort has a variety of upscale mountain homes available for rent, with easy access to ski slopes in winter and hiking trails in warmer months. Another great option is the Tahoe City Lodge, which offers comfortable rooms and easy access to the lake and surrounding outdoor activities.

North Lake Tahoe Camping and RV Parks

North Lake Tahoe offers a variety of campgrounds and RV parks for visitors looking to immerse themselves in nature. Tahoe State Recreation Area, located in Tahoe City, offers lakeside campsites with picnic areas and access to hiking and biking trails. William Kent Campground has platform yurt sites, as well as tent sites and RV hookups. See more options.

Want to explore more of Lake Tahoe? Extend your trip in South Lake Tahoe.   

Know before you go: As part of an effort to reduce litter, both North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe have banned the sale of single-use water bottles at city-run and permitted events. So be sure to pack a reusable water bottle—you’ll be able to fill it up with the local high-quality tap water at free water filling stations at local businesses and recreation areas.