Top 10 Fantastic Family Activities in North Lake Tahoe — Summer Edition

Ah, summertime in North Lake Tahoe. The sun is shining, the temperatures are mild, and there are endless outdoor activities to enjoy with family and friends. Whether you're looking for an adventurous day out on the lake or a more relaxed afternoon hiking in the woods, we've got you covered with our top 10 picks for fantastic family fun. So get your sunscreen packed and your sense of adventure ready — it's time to explore everything that North Lake Tahoe has to offer!

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1. Eagle Rock Hike.

   This 45-minute round-trip family-friendly hike has spectacular 360 panoramic views of the lake. I’ve taken all my visiting friends to this spot. The hike is pet friendly and perfect for getting a great view of the lake. I always recommend this hike for those not used to the altitude change and catering to the variety of hiking skills, with a mega reward at the top!

2. Mini golf in Carnelian Bay.

   At Magic Carpet Golf, directly across the street from the lake, everyone can show off their golfing skills. This fun, themed mini-golf course is perfect for all ages - kids love the brightly colored creatures and castles throughout the course. There is also an indoor arcade with everything from pinball machines to video games for some added fun.

3. Beach days.

   Pack a lunch and bring your towels, masks, and snorkels! A relaxing afternoon on Lake Tahoe is a wonderful way to spend the day. A favorite option of mine is Skylandia beach. This is a perfect spot for a relaxing day at the beach. The upper level has plenty of picnic tables to relax in the shade and peer down at the beach and out at the beautiful lake vista. It’s an easy park and walk location and has a public dock to walk out on. There are picnic tables and plenty of space for everyone - even on busy weekends.

4. Palisades Aerial Tram.

   Stunning, 360 panoramic views of Palisades and Lake Tahoe. This is a must-see if visiting the Palisades area. The tram ride is about 15 minutes each way, and the views are breathtakingly beautiful at the top. Once at high camp, there is a museum highlighting the 1964 Olympics that were held at the location. 

5. Biking along the Truckee River and into Tahoe City.

   My favorite way to get around North Lake Tahoe is via bike. There is a safe and serene bike path connecting Alpine Meadows to Tahoe City, right along the Truckee River. There is a great bike rental shop, Olympic Bike Shop, in Olympic Valley, where you can rent regular bikes or e-bikes in all sizes. The crystal clear blues and greens of the river are a sight to be savored. Whether you take a scenic ride or go to dinner in Tahoe City, biking is a great way to get around.

6. Floating the Truckee River.

   The Truckee River Rafting Company makes it super easy by providing the raft, lifejackets, and entry to the river - as well as transportation at the end of your float. The company picks up the rafters at River Ranch and shuttles passengers back to the starting point of the river and to the parking area.

7. Fanny bridge.

   A historic, quaint lookout spot in Tahoe City where Lake Tahoe meets the mouth of the Truckee River. Cheekily getting its name from all of the “fannies” that can be seen from the road as onlookers gaze over the edge into the cool waters. Located over the only outlet of Lake Tahoe (into the Truckee River), Fanny Bridge is a historical spot. This estuary has plenty of fish that usually stop there to spawn. Stop by Bridgetender Tavern, just across the street, for lunch or dinner and sit outside along the Truckee River.

8. Paddleboarding/Kayaking on the lake.

   There are many access points to launch and dock a kayak, but I would recommend either Lake Forest beach (dog friendly!) in Tahoe City or Speedboat beach in Kings Beach. Both are easily accessible, and you can usually find parking pretty easily. For rentals I’d recommend Adrift in Kings Beach, or West Shore Sports, conveniently having 3 locations in Homewood, Sunnyside, or Tahoma.

9. Tree course/ziplining in Tahoe City, Tahoe Vista, or Olympic Valley.

   This is for the adventurous ones in the group! At Tahoe Treetop Adventure Parks there are courses for all levels. It is a great learning and challenging experience and the instructors are all amazing. For ages 6+,

10. Local, cozy cinema experience.

    Tahoe Art Haus in Tahoe City is a cute, local movie theater tucked away right off the main streets of shopping and restaurants. With a couple of big couches (get there early if you want one!) and an intimate theater experience.

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With all of these great options, it can be tough to choose just one! What do you and your family love to do during Tahoe summers? Let us know — we would love to hear from you. And if you’re still looking for ideas, don’t forget to check out our last post on the best hikes around North Lake Tahoe. We hope you have a wonderful summer full of fun memories with your loved ones. See you soon in Tahoe!