5 best road trips in Lake Tahoe

12.04.2024 - 13:03 / lonelyplanet.com / Lake Tahoe

In Lake Tahoe, the peaks of the Sierra Nevada rise above turquoise waters so clear you can peer more than 70 feet below the surface. In winter, skiers prize the Tahoe Basin’s 14 ski areas, while in summer, people flock to beaches, hiking and biking trails. Perhaps the best time to visit Lake Tahoe is the shoulder seasons in spring and fall when the region is less crowded and hotel rooms are more affordable. 

In addition to its natural beauty, Lake Tahoe’s location is within driving distance of many of the best destinations in California and Nevada. In other words, Lake Tahoe is the ideal base for scenic drives and road trips. To inspire you, we’ve rounded up our picks for the best road trips in Lake Tahoe.

Best road trip for scenery

Start and end at whim; 72 miles, 3 hours 

The best road trip for scenery in Lake Tahoe circumnavigates the lake via US 50, NV 28, and US 89. Start in Stateline and dive into the surreal experience of driving through a strip of high-rise casinos glimmering against the backdrop of the wilderness. Next, follow the route clockwise to Taylor Creek Visitor Center, where you can stroll along the wheelchair-accessible Rainbow Trail and meander down to dog-friendly Kiva Beach.

Up next on your itinerary is D.L. Bliss State Park, home to the highest-elevation lighthouse in the United States; from there, continue uphill to Emerald Bay State Park. Even if you don’t hike down to Vikingsholm Castle, it’s worth stopping here for vistas of tiny Fannette Island, the only island on the lake. 

Wind along the shoreline past Homewood to Carnellian Bay, where you can stop for lunch with a view at Gar Woods Grill and Pier, one of only a few true waterfront restaurants on the lake (famous for a colorful frozen drink cheekily named the Wet Woody). Afterward, swing by Magic Carpet Golf and Arcade for a round of mini golf. Continue driving to Tahoe City to explore charming shops and boutiques before you make your way to Incline Village. 

Make a short detour in Incline Village to check out Bowl Incline, an entertainment center with bowling, axe throwing, billiards and an arcade. The attached Sam Choy’s Ohana Diner is the best place for poke bowls in Lake Tahoe. Continue to Sand Harbor State Park, famous for its golden sand beaches, turquoise water and smooth, mammoth boulders.

Before you return to Stateline, you’ll travel through the world-famous Cave Rock Tunnel, which passes through a mountainous volcanic rock formation long held sacred to the region’s Indigenous Washoe people.  On the other side, explore more beaches and hiking trails at Zephyr Cove. 

Expert tip: Although this route is gorgeous in winter, the drive is not advisable in snowy or icy conditions. Wait until the roads are clear. You’ll