Lake Tahoe with Kids in Summer: Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas
Lake Tahoe in summer is almost ridiculously beautiful. Bright blue water, pine-covered mountains, beaches, hiking trails, and little mountain towns all wrap around one enormous alpine lake. And there’s plenty to do with kids without turning the trip into a kid-centered vacation.
We spent a long summer weekend in Lake Tahoe with our 3-year-old and 18-month-old, staying near Heavenly and exploring both the California and Nevada sides of the lake. We mixed beach time with short hikes, scenic stops, and easy family activities, which worked especially well with two very young kids.
If you’re planning a summer trip to Lake Tahoe with kids, these are some of the places we visited, along with a few additional family-friendly Lake Tahoe activities worth considering as you build your own itinerary.
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Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas for Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
- El Dorado Beach – beach just off of downtown South Lake Tahoe
- Emerald Bay State Park – the most popular park to visit in the Tahoe region, stunning views with hiking trails, kayaks, beaches, and more
- Vikingsholm – Scandinavian-style mansion in Emerald Bay State Park, short steep hike down to it, tours end of June to end of September
- Inspiration Point – viewpoint overlooking Emerald Bay
- D.L. Bliss State Park – beautiful park directly north of Emerald Bay State Park with hiking, beaches, camping, lighthouses, and more
- Rubicon Trail – moderate hiking trail bordering Lake Tahoe that continues south to Emerald Bay, the whole out-and-back trail is over 16 miles, but you can just go as far as you want
- Cascade Falls Trail – about 1.5-mile moderate hike, out-and-back trail, near the south side of the lake with a waterfall and lake views
- Sand Harbor Beach – picturesque Tahoe beach with crystal-clear water and big boulders, popular for paddle boarding and other water spots. During high season weekends, this beach can reach max capacity, and they’ll close the entrance within ½ hour of opening.
- Nevada Beach Campground – sandy beach on the southeastern side of the lake for day and overnight use, tent and RV campsites available
- East Shore Trail – paved boardwalk walking trail along the lake near Incline Village, good for strollers, parking lot at the north end of the trail
- Kings Beach State Recreation Area – beach park on the north side of the lake, kayak rentals available
- Kings Beach Miniature Golf – fun family-owned mini golf course
- Take a scenic cruise – there are lots of boats on Lake Tahoe, many private, but there are some companies offering scenic tours to the public. Check out Zephyr Cove cruises, Tahoe cruises, and Tahoe Bleu Wave cruises
- Heavenly Village – lively village of shops, eateries, activities, and more – don’t forget to check the calendar for events
- Scenic Gondola – take the gondola up Heavenly Mountain for breathtaking views of the lake and mountains, plus more fun activities available at the top
- Heavenly Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster – alpine coaster through the rocks and trees (kids allowed with an adult rider)
- KidZone Museum – indoor hands-on children’s museum and play center, in Truckee (about 20 minutes north of the top of the lake)
Food Ideas for Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
- Heidi’s Pancake House – homey restaurant styled after a Swiss chalet
- Azul-Latin Kitchen – Latin American restaurant with a large patio and sometimes entertainment
- Blue Dog Pizza – casual pizza place offering creative and classic options
- Himmel Haus – Bavarian restaurant most known for its bratwurst and beer
- Gus’ Open Pit Barbeque – Santa Maria-style casual BBQ restaurant with indoor seating and outdoor deck seating
- T’s Mesquite Rotisserie – casual counter-service Mexican restaurant with rotisserie meats
- Sweet Tahoe Time Ice Cream – great outside space to relax, eat your ice cream and let the kids play (giant connect 4, tricycles, and more)
Top Tips for Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
- Wear layers, even in summer, the morning and evening temperatures can be chilly.
- Make sure to get out on the lake for the full Tahoe experience. There are so many options for all different interests and abilities.
- Bring a baby carrier for little ones. It will be much easier to maneuver and do more without being restricted by a stroller.
- Plan your days efficiently, grouping things by location. The lake is large, and it takes about 45-60 minutes to drive from one side to the other without traffic. And there can be a lot of traffic during the busy summer season.
Is Lake Tahoe Worth Visiting with Kids?
Absolutely. Lake Tahoe worked really well for us with a 3-year-old and 18-month-old because we didn’t need to pack every day with complicated activities. Some of our favorite parts were simply being outside, stopping at scenic viewpoints, spending time near the water, and taking short walks where the kids could explore.
Summer is an especially easy time to experience Lake Tahoe as a family. You can mix beaches, hiking, boat rides, mountain scenery and small-town stops, then adjust your plans depending on your kids’ ages, energy levels and the weather.
Our trip only scratched the surface of everything there is to do around the lake, but even a few days gave us a good mix of outdoor time, sightseeing and relaxed family travel. If you’re putting together your own Lake Tahoe family vacation, use these itinerary ideas as a starting point and leave some open time to simply enjoy the lake.
Still deciding where to go next? Browse more of my family travel destinations for ideas and inspiration for your next trip.
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