Kayaking Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. It’s cobalt blue waters atop the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range top many kayaking enthusiasts bucket lists. The famed lake’s clear, glassy waters make for a quiet and peaceful paddle with stunning views, brilliant blue waters and hidden coves to explore.
Best Places to Kayak in Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe has 72 miles of shoreline and 20 public launch sites. With so many options, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are a few launch points that provide some of the best, most picturesque views of Lake Tahoe, some of which are only accessible by kayak.
Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Incline Village, NV
Sand Harbor is one of the most popular and spectacular parks in the Lake Tahoe area. Kayakers enjoy the crystal-clear water and stunning rock formations. It offers a quiet retreat with secluded, gently sloping beaches and shaded picnic areas.
D.L. Bliss State Park
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Breathtakingly beautiful, D.L. Bliss State Park is on the western shore of Lake Tahoe in California’s Sierra Nevada. It offers an excellent paddle for intermediate kayakers looking to spy the often-photographed brilliant blue-, green- and turquoise-colored waters of Meeks Bay and Rubicon Bay. Explore Rubicon Point Light, the highest-elevation lighthouse in the US, Balancing Rock or the gorgeous beaches and calm lapping waters of the many inlets.
Emerald Bay State Park
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Emerald Bay is a Lake Tahoe jewel. Located on the lake’s western shore, it offers spectacular views of the blue-green water, brilliant panoramic views of the mountain-building process and glacier carved granite. Follow the southern route for stunning undeveloped shorelines, but the water can get a little choppy so it’s best suited for more experienced kayakers.
Kings Beach State Recreation Area
Kings Beach, CA
Kings Beach is an iconic beach town lined with old-timey hotels, trendy shops and an excellent array of restaurants and eateries. It’s an ideal paddle for anyone looking to experience at little bit of authentic, small-town California and a laid-back paddle. The white sand beach is nearly 1,700 ft long and is one of the warmest areas of the lake.
Lake Tahoe Water Trail
For those looking to experience Lake Tahoe in its full and complete glory, there is the endless 72-mile Lake Tahoe Water Trail. The trail will take you around the entire expanse of Lake Tahoe. The trail is divided into 7 day trip segments for out-and-back or point-to-point paddles. Mountain conditions and strong winds can make this a challenging paddle.
Lake Tahoe Kayak Storage Racks
Lake Tahoe is the largest freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada. It straddles California and Nevada at 6,223 feet and makes for a purely delightful paradise of a paddle. Make sure your kayak is ready for your next big adventure with an exquisitely crafted, 100% cedar log kayak storage rack from Log Kayak Rack. As beautiful as they are practical, our kayak racks safely store and neatly organized shorelines, backyards, parks and rental facilities, holding up to eight kayaks on their durable, naturally weather-resistant frames. Shop our kayak racks online now or contact us for a custom kayak storage solution to meet your Lake Tahoe kayak storage needs.