We’re kicking off our summer road trip series — Hit the Road — with an outdoor adventure-themed trip to Lake Tahoe. With crystal blue water and alpine trails, this area is a great destination for experienced adventurers + novice nature seekers alike.

Before you start packing your bags, here’s everything you need to know about the area + our insider recommendations.

Drive time: ~4.5 hours

Est. population: 65,000

Avg. high in June: 90°

Hit the road + explore the great outdoors with the ones you love. | Photo via @gunvodga

🥾Things to do

Adrift Tahoe

Hit the water with rental stand-up paddles, kayaks, and canoes from Tahoe’s “Original Surf Shop.”

Action Water Sports of Incline Village

Take your lake time to the next level with boat rentals + charters for parasailing, wakesurfing, and more.

Tahoe Treetop Adventure Parks

Not scared of heights? Get your adrenaline pumping at this rope course park with zip lines, bridges, tightropes, swinging logs, climbing walls — and more. Courses run for at least two hours.

Flume Trail Mountain Bikes

This one-stop shop offers mountain bike rentals and daily shuttle service to the popular Flume Trail + Tahoe Rim Trail.

Heavenly

This resort offers gondola rides, gemstone panning, climbing walls, ziplines, and a mountain coaster.

Palisades Tahoe

Known for their aerial tram, this historic resort’s summer season activities include roller skating + disc golf.

Looking for something more low-key? Check out these guides for hiking trails, golf courses + beaches in North Tahoe and South Tahoe — and don’t miss your chance to jam out at local concert series and other special summer events.

Rustic decor, local ingredients, casual + fine dining — Tahoe has it all. | Photo via @padillalinda

🍽️ Fuel up

The Soule Domain

This top-ranked fine dining spot serves free range and organic meats, plus seasonal produce in its rustic + romantic dining room.

Chambers Landing

This waterfront bar and grill is the oldest in Tahoe — but keeps its menu contemporary with seafood-forward dishes + its famous Chambers Punches.

North Lake Tahoe Ale Trail

Start your day with a unique outdoor activity + reward yourself with one of these hand-picked brewery or restaurant selections in this award-winning guide.

This newly renovated mountain cabin offers plenty of space + amenities for a vacationing family. | Photo via VRBO

🏕️ Cozy campsites + cabins

Luxury Cabin | 📍 Pioneer Trail, CA

Traveling with kids or friends? This 2,500-sqft, 4 BD/2.5 BA cabin is the perfect home-away-from-home with its chef kitchen, hot tub, arcade set-up, and pool table. Nightly rates start at $620 — prices vary by date.

Wylder Hope Valley | 📍 Hope Valley, CA

Whether you’re looking for a glamping experience or a cute bungalow this resort offers a comprehensive range of accommodations — including luxury yurts, RV + tent campsites, and a vintage Spartan trailer.

Tahoe State Recreation Area | 📍 Sites vary

Going more traditional? State park campsites are still an option — and they’re great for the budget-conscious.

Want more travel guides? Stay tuned for the July installment of our Hit the Road series. We’ll be highlighting an under-100-mile road trip.