Epic Things To Do In Lake Tahoe This Summer With Kids

Lake Tahoe is beloved by Californians, who return year after year to spend lazy summer days splashing in the clear waters and hiking through fragrant pine forests.

It’s perfect for outdoorsy families who like to be on the water, especially for those with small children who might find the Northern Californian surf too strong (and shark-filled) for paddling.

Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination. The ski resorts are buzzing in the winter and early spring, while hiking and boating is popular in the summer and fall. I have focused on summer activities for this post.

What part of Lake Tahoe is best for families?

On the Californian side, the areas are roughly split into South, West and North. There is really no area that isn’t suitable for families.

I like the West Lake area: being in the middle, it is a short drive to anywhere and Tahoe City has a laid-back vibe with plenty of great places to eat.

Sunnyside Resort and Lodge is a great place to stay, and the lakeside restaurant is a locals’ favorite.

VRBO is another great place to find accommodation, as you can often find an entire home for the price of a hotel room. This Tahoe City cabin has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a real log fire and access to a private beach for an average of $200 a night.

If you want to stay close to some of the more famous beauty spots, South Lake is a better base but it is also a little busier with casinos and bars.

Check out The Landing Resort and Spa or Edgewood for a luxurious stay in a very convenient lakeside location.

North Lake Tahoe has some of the best beaches, with wide, sandy shores and stunning views over the lake. It is also fairly quiet.

The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino is ideal for families staying in this area. It has two heated outdoor pools, fire pits for roasting marshmallows and a private beach.

A short drive inland from the lake is Truckee, a vibrant mountain town with great restaurants and shops. Truckee is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a slightly less “touristy” Tahoe experience.

Although you won’t be right on the lake, this cute cabin near Truckee’s downtown is steps from the river.

What is there to do in Lake Tahoe for families?

Lake Tahoe is all about the outdoors: hiking, swimming, boating, cycling and after all that, enjoying a well-earned sunset cocktail on a restaurant deck.

I highly recommend spending half a day navigating the Truckee River on a raft: drifting down the river is the perfect way to stay cool on a hot day and there are a few rapids to keep things interesting.

Rent a raft from Truckee River Rafting, including life jackets and a ride back to Tahoe City, for a three-hour trip along the river. Under fives are free but under two-year-olds are too young for this activity.

Watch out for the geese – one of them bit our daughter!

For adventurous kids aged five and up, check out Tahoe Treetops Adventure Park, an outdoor ropes course where you can climb, swing and zipline your way through the forest. There are challenging courses for adults and easier ones for the whole family.

A fun lake activity is to hike down to Emerald Bay, rent a kayak and paddle out to Fannette Island not far from shore. Children can kayak but they must be over the age of three. More details on this hike are below.

Best Lake Tahoe hikes for families

Emerald Bay Sate Park

Stroller friendly: Yes, with a sturdy model
Distance: Two miles there and back
Trail start: Vikingsholm car park

Emerald Bay State Park, 12 miles north of South Lake Tahoe, is reached from the Vikingsholm car park ($10 parking fee) by a winding downhill trail. Once you are by the lake, you can explore Vikingsholm, an intriguing Scandinavian-inspired mansion, take a kayak to Fannette Island, or simply relax on the sandy beach.

One drawback to this area: it is very crowded. You will not get a car parking spot after 9 am during the summer. There is road parking but this too will be full after 10 am.

For families with small children, the one-mile hike to the beach is enough, especially if you are lugging all your swimming gear. The trail is wide and the incline is not too steep, so a rugged stroller is possible. A comfortable carrier might be easier, however, especially for the uphill return trip.

If your kids can handle a few miles of walking, the lakeside trail is flat and shady, perfect for all ages.

From Vikingsholm, follow the signs to Lower Eagle Falls, an easy trek through the forest to a waterfall. The trail continues, offering beautiful lake views as a reward.

If you prefer to avoid the crowds, pick up the Rubicon Trail from the beach and head away from Vikingsholm. Keep an eye out for the majestic Bald Eagles that circle overhead and make their nests in the pines.

Cascade Falls

Stroller friendly: No
Distance: Three miles
Trail start: Bayview campsite

Another great hike in this area can be found across the road from the Vikingsholm car park, at the Bayview camping ground, to Cascade Falls. Park at the entrance and trek through the campsite to the far side, where you will head over a ridge and immediately want to get out your camera for the view of the lake.

This out-and-back hike is rocky and narrow at times, so make sure you all have good shoes. Our kids managed this at four and six but I think it would have been do-able with a carrier for younger children.

The trail heads away from the lake up towards Cascade Falls, where the path opens up to a granite plateau. Take a picnic and check out the creek, where you can paddle in the shallow water.

Keep a close eye on the kids, as there are no barriers at any point. Stick to the lakeside trails if you are anxious about your kids’ safety on what is a fairly rugged mountain hike.

Dolder Nature Trail

Stroller friendly: Partially (to the beach)
Distance: 1.5 mile loop
Trail start: Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

My other favorite family hike is in Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. The large parking lot offers plenty of spaces, so there is no need to turn up early. The Dolder Nature Trail is a 1.5 mile loop that starts out paved and becomes sandy as you go deeper into the forest.

It is an easy, flat trail that begins and ends at the sandy beach, where you can take a cool dip after your walk. As you meander through the Sugar Pines that are the park’s namesake, look out for the logs and branches neatly piled – they are part of the controlled burns that take place here in an effort to mitigate the region’s devastating wildfires.

The park also holds Junior Ranger events here in the summer, so kids should look out for an opportunity to earn themselves a badge.

Balancing Rock Nature Trail

Stroller friendly: No
Distance: 0.5 mile loop
Trail start: D.L Bliss State Park

This is a sweet trail for kids, with a surprise at the end! Take the easy, half-mile loop located in D.L Bliss State Park, between South and West Lake Tahoe. There is some uphill and the trail is rocky, but it is not long and should be do-able with toddlers.

Round a corner and there it is – a cool geological phenomenon, or a dinosaur, depending on how you look at it. You can combine this walk with a trip to the beach, which is located at the bottom of the hill, through the campsite. There is parking at the end but I suggest you get there early in the summer (like 9 a.m. early) as there are limited spaces.

How to get to Lake Tahoe

From San Francisco International Airport, the drive is 200 miles, or around three hours and 20 minutes. If you can fly into Sacramento International Airport, the journey is more like two hours by car.

If you are looking for more Northern California summer adventures with kids, check out Yosemite with kids or try these kid-friendly Sonoma wineries.