The Perfect Lake Tahoe Summer Itinerary: A Complete 2-Day Guide

2-Day Lake Tahoe Summer Itinerary

If you’re planning on spending some of your summer in Lake Tahoe, consider using this itinerary as a guide! This Lake Tahoe itinerary includes Emerald Bay, the Rubicon Trail, Secret Cove, and more.  

If you have more time or want to switch out a certain activity, you’ll find additional things to do in Lake Tahoe in the summer after this section!

Arrival Day: Hang Out at Sand Harbor Beach

If it is still light out when you arrive, consider heading over to Sand Harbor Beach, located on the northeastern side of the lake (on the Nevada side). This beach is known for its beautiful rocky coastline and bright blue water. It’s a great place to watch the sunset. I also recommended grabbing some take-out dinner and enjoying it on the sand!

If you visit, be sure to take a walk along the trail on Sand Point. You get beautiful views of both sides of Sand Harbor Beach, as well as Lake Tahoe. 

Heads up: parking is $10 for in-state (Nevada) vehicles, and $15 for out-of-state vehicles. Note that the beach is cash only!

Day 1: Hiking Emerald Bay & Exploring South Lake Tahoe

On your first full day in Lake Tahoe, hike the iconic Rubicon Trail in Emerald Bay State Park before spending some time relaxing by the water in South Lake Tahoe. 

Note: you’ll want to pack a lunch with you to enjoy on the beach after your hike!

Check Out Lower Eagle Falls

Start off your day in Lake Tahoe at Emerald Bay State Park, parking at this paid parking lot (which has an amazing overlook of Emerald Bay below!). Note that this lot gets busy, especially in the summer. I recommend getting there as early as possible to get a parking spot. If you’re an early bird, this is also an incredible spot to watch the sunrise!

Before hiking the Rubicon Trail, I recommend doing a quick walk over to Lower Eagle Falls, which is just about a quarter of a mile down Highway 89 from the parking lot.

As you walk out the parking lot, turn left, and you’ll see a path that goes along the 89 (don’t worry – you’ll be safely off the road and away from cars!). Continue down the path until you see a staircase on the left down to the falls. This leads you right up to the stream. 

View from the Emerald Bay Parking Lot During Sunrise | View from Eagle Falls

Hike the Rubicon Trail

After visiting Eagle Falls, head back to the parking lot to start your big hike for the day on the Rubicon Trail. This trail takes you along and out of the bay, and gives you some of the most incredible views of the lake. Seriously – if you only have time for one hike, do this one. It’s absolutely one of the best hikes in Lake Tahoe!

The entire trail is 16.4 miles long, but there are multiple points along the way where you can access the trail, allowing hikers to do as little or as much of the trail as they want. 

There is a path that takes you from the parking lot down to the water, where you can join the trail. During my last visit, my group hiked along the north side of the bay, eventually making our way out of Emerald Bay to continue walking along Lake Tahoe. I’ve created an AllTrails map that shows the exact out-and-back route that we took, starting at the parking lot.

This is a gorgeous part of the trail. In the first half, there are plenty of spots to get down to the water and hang out on small beaches lining Emerald Bay. Once you are out of the bay, you are at a higher elevation, which gives you beautiful views of the (unbelievably blue) water below. 

Take the Trail to Vikingsholm Beach for Lunch (& Consider Touring the Vikingsholm Castle or Kayaking to Fannette Island)

Before heading back up to the parking lot, continue on the trail down to Vikingsholm Beach. There are a few picnic tables scattered along the beach, making it the perfect spot to eat a packed lunch while taking in the view of the bay. 

There are a couple additional activities you can consider enjoying here before heading back up to the parking lot. 

The first option is doing a tour of Vikingsholm – a 38-room Scandinavian-style mansion built in 1929. Guided tours (which are 30-minutes long) operate from 10:30am to 4pm, and tickets can be purchased on-site. 

The second option is to kayak to Fannette Island (Lake Tahoe’s only island, pictured below!), which is located in the center of the bay. It is home to the shell of a 1920s “tea house”, where the residents of Vikingholm would go with guests for tea. 

You can rent a kayak (or paddleboard) from Kayak Tahoe, which is located right on the Emerald Bay shore, next to Vikingsholm. A one-hour rental is suitable for this trip. 

Rentals are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If this excursion is high on your list of must-dos, I recommend doing it at the start of the day, before you do the Rubicon hike. This will ensure you are able to get a kayak rental!

Relax by the Water in South Lake Tahoe 

Once you are done exploring all that Emerald Bay has to offer, do the 20-minute drive down to South Lake Tahoe. During your ride, you’ll drive over a stunning section of Emerald Bay Road where you’ll see the bay on one side, and Cascade Lake on the other side. 

After a busy morning and early afternoon of hiking and adventuring, spend the rest of your day hanging out at a local beach. There are a few options in the area, including:

• Regan Beach – a grassy lakefront park with a playground and volleyball court that is free to visi
• Pope Beach – an expansive beach (that is just west of South Lake Tahoe) with plenty of space to relax on the sand and jump in the water. There is an entrance fee. 

If you’re also in need of a post-hike snack (and potentially a beer!), I recommend stopping by Cold Water Brewery and Grill. 

Day 2: Exploring Secret Cove & Kayaking

On your second day in Tahoe, you’ll explore Secret Cove and Chimney Beach before kayaking near Kings Beach.  

Do a Quick Hike Down to Secret Cove

First up is a visit to Secret Cove – a picturesque beach on the Nevada side of the lake. Be aware that it is clothing optional! 

There is a small parking lot north of the cove, and a short trail (a little over half a mile) that parallels the road before leading down to the cove. If that lot is full, you can park along the highway a bit further south of the lot (just be mindful of the no parking signs) and walk down to the trail from the side of the road. You may need to park on the northbound side of the road.  

How to Get to Secret Cove in Lake Tahoe

From the parking lot linked above, you’ll start walking south down the fire road – NOT the trail on the right that says “Trail to Beach”. That trail leads to Chimney Beach, which you’ll go to later. 

Follow the road for about half a mile before you see a small public restroom building, and a trail off to the right. Follow the trail and you’ll make your way down to the steps to get to Secret Cove!

Hike Over to Chimney Beach

After hanging out at Secret Cove, follow the shorefront trail (which is about three-quarters of a mile long) to make your way to Chimney Beach. 

The name of the beach comes from the old stone fireplace and chimney located right on the sand. In the 1930s, a man bought a large part of the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, and built his estate there. This chimney was part of a cottage where one of the property caretakers lived. 

Like Secret Cove, this beach is super photogenic, with insanely blue water. It’s a great spot to stop for a snack or a packed lunch if you brought it, or jump in the water if it’s warm enough. 

How to Get to Chimney Beach from Secret Cove

Once you go back up the steps on the north side of the cove, you’ll see a trail on the left that is situated above the shore. Simply follow it north. About two-thirds of the way, you’ll see some paths that go up the hill. These lead to the parking lot – stay left for now, and then follow those paths when you’re ready to get back to the car. 

To make things easier, I created this map on AllTrails to show the route! There is service in this area, so it’s not a bad idea to download the app so you can make sure you’re on path. Getting from Secret Cove to Chimney Beach was easy, but we did need to consult that app a bit when getting back up to the parking lot. There’s a short but steep hill, so be ready to climb. 

Kayak in Kings Beach

After hanging out at Chimney Beach, make your way back to the car and drive to Kings Beach (which is about 20 minutes away) on the north end of the lake. If you need to grab lunch before kayaking, I recommend stopping at a restaurant in Incline Village or Kings Beach itself. 

In this town, you’ll enjoy one of the most popular things to do in Lake Tahoe in the summer: kayaking. A few local places where you can rent a kayak include Adrift Tahoe, Tahoe Paddle and Oar, and Wild Society (the latter of which has clear kayaks and paddle boards – looks like a super cool experience!).

From the Kings Beach shore, you can kayak over to Speedboat Beach if you’re up for it. Alternatively, just enjoy kayaking in the Kings Beach area.  

Explore Kings Beach Shops

After kayaking, finish off your day by walking around Kings Beach. There are plenty of fun shops to check out along the main road, and it’s also a great place to stop for ice cream! 

If you’re looking for one more fun activity to enjoy in the Kings Beach area, check out Kings Beach Miniature Golf – a small but super fun looking mini golf course that has been open since the 1950s.

Additional Things to do in Lake Tahoe in the Summer

If you’re looking for more things to do during your Lake Tahoe trip, here are some additional ideas. 

Go on a Scenic Cruise of Lake Tahoe

Enjoy the beauty of Lake Tahoe while relaxing on a boat! 

One popular option is the Emerald Bay Scenic Cruise. You’ll board a large paddle wheeler and go on a 2.25-hour journey through the Emerald Bay. The tour is narrated, so you’ll learn about Fannette Island, Vikingsholm, and more. 

You can also book a more intimate two-hour sailing cruise of Lake Tahoe (which is limited to 18 passengers). Complimentary beer and wine is provided as you take in the scenery.

Ride the Ridge Rider Coaster

I so badly wish we could’ve done this during our last trip – it opened for the season two days after we left! This gravity-powered coaster (located at the Heavenly Mountain Resort) gives you incredible views of the lake below as you coast down the mountain. To get to the coaster, you’ll take the scenic gondola ride up the mountain.

Enjoy a Beach Day at Sand Harbor Beach

As mentioned in the itinerary, this beach is on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, and is a great destination for a chill day by the water. Note that it is super popular and gets very crowded during the day in the summer. If you plan on visiting, plan to get there before opening to ensure you get a parking spot (yes, really). Be sure to bring cash to pay the parking fee.

Explore Other Lake Tahoe Hikes

A Lake Tahoe summer trip isn’t complete without some great hikes! In addition to the hikes mentioned in the itinerary, here are some popular hikes in the area to check out if you have more time:

• Cascade Falls Trail: A 1.3-mile out-and-back trail just south of Emerald Bay that offers views of Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe in the distance. 
• Eagle Lake Trail: A 1.8-mile out-and-back trail west of Emerald Bay that takes you to the small but beautiful Eagle Lake. 
• Five Lakes Trail: A 5-mile out-and-back trail in the mountains above the western side of Lake Tahoe that takes you right up to (as you probably guessed!) five lakes.  
• Tahoe Rim Trail to Picnic Rock Viewpoint: A 3-mile out-and-back trail on the northern side of the lake that offers incredible views of Lake Tahoe from above.

Lake Tahoe Summer Travel Tips

Here are some additional Lake Tahoe travel tips to help you make the most of your trip. 

Have Cash on Hand

Some of the parking lots only take cash for payment (Sand Harbor Beach being one of them), so make sure you have some on hand. 

Get Out Early

Lake Tahoe is an incredibly popular destination in the summer, and parking can be a hassle at some of the must-visit spots (Sand Harbor and Emerald Bay are definitely at the top of that list). Try to get out as early as possible – you’ll get good parking, and you’ll have some peace and quiet before the rest of the visitors wake up!

Bring the Right Footwear

In addition to having good hiking shoes, it’s a good idea to have a pair of flip flops (or other water-safe shoes) on hand. You’ll want these if you plan on kayaking. I also found it was nice to have them in my day pack when hiking down to the various beaches. 

Read Up on Bear Safety

There’s a good chance you’ll spot a black bear or two during your visit (we saw one while hiking the Rubicon Trail)! I found this guide to be helpful in knowing what to do if you come across a bear. 

Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe

During my last summer trip, we stayed at a cabin in the Carnelian Bay area, on the northwestern side of the lake. This location was ideal for us, because it was relatively close to the beaches we wanted to check out on the Nevada side of the lake (about a 25-minute drive), and still close to Emerald Bay (about a 35-minute drive). 

This may sound like a lot of driving, but keep in mind Lake Tahoe is big – you’re going to spend some time in the car!

If you’re interested in staying in and around the Carnelian Bay area, check out Tahoe vacation rentals on Vrbo. There are a ton of great cabins and homes for groups of all sizes!

Ultimately, the itinerary above lends itself best to staying closer to the northern side of the lake. That said, it’s best to finalize what you want to do in Lake Tahoe, and then decide where to stay. You’ll find rental homes and hotels all around the lake. 

What to Bring to Lake Tahoe

As you prepare to visit Lake Tahoe, here are a few of the essential items you’ll want to add to your packing list:

• Sunscreen: Proper sun protection is a must when you’re exploring Lake Tahoe – especially in the summer. My favorite body sunscreen is the Supergoop Play SPF 50, which is water and sweat-resistant. For the face, a high-quality water-resistant sunscreen I like is the Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Lotion. 
• Hiking Boots: Tahoe is known for its amazing hiking trails, which means you’ll want to have good hiking boots that will keep your feet supported and comfortable as you explore. I’ve had my Merrell hiking boots for years, and they’ve held up incredibly well. The updated version of what I own (and recommend!) are the Merrell Women’s Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots and the Merrell Men’s Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot.
• Athletic Clothing: You’ll need comfortable and high-quality athletic wear for when you’re out exploring Lake Tahoe. My go-to brands that I always wear during outdoor adventures are Vuori and Beyond Yoga. If you’re a leggings person, I’m a huge fan of the Beyond Yoga High Waisted Midi Leggings. They are super soft, excellent quality, and easy to move in! 
• Layers: Even in the summer, you can expect some cooler weather in the early morning and after the sun goes down. Make sure you’re prepared with some lightweight sweaters and/or hoodies.
• Day Pack: You’ll want a backpack to carry your essentials as you’re exploring the trails. The Osprey’s Daylite Everyday Backpack is an excellent option for day hikes. If you prefer a more compact option, consider a fanny pack or a shoulder sling bag. 
• Snacks and Water: You’re going to be spending lots of time in nature away from any restaurants or convenience stores. Make sure you have lots of snacks and water on hand – especially when you’re hiking!

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