6 Outdoor Activities to Add to Your Tahoe Labor Day Weekend Itinerary

One of the best ways to explore and experience the Lake Tahoe region is on the lake itself! Boating is a quintessential Tahoe summer activity, especially during holiday weekends, and there are a variety of exciting options for adventure seekers of all ages. Whether you want to take a self-guided tour of the lake, parasail, waterski or have serene scenic sunset cruise, there is a rental or tour option for you!

 

For the thrill-seekers out there, you have a wide variety of exciting options. You can rent a boat or take a tour, and choose additional options to waterski, wakeboard or go parasailing. Parasailing excursions will take your adventures to new heights! Plus, it's a great way to see the lake from a different perspective. Bonus points if you're brave enough to get dunked!

 

Want a more relaxing option? Consider taking a sunset cruise out to Emerald Bay. You will get to see iconic golden hour magic as colors in the sky drastically change from blue to shades of pink, purple, and orange. There is no better way to end the day than by watching a Tahoe sunset and seeing it from the lake brings the experience to a whole new level.

 

To see the full range of boating and sailing options around Lake Tahoe, see our Boating and Sailing pages.

 

Want to have a human-powered adventure on the water? Take out a kayak or paddleboard for an adventure that doubles as a great workout and tour of the lake. There are plenty of places to rent around the lake, Sand Harbor being one of the most popular. Remember to get your reservations if you go on the weekend!

 

If you go to Sand Harbor, I highly recommend going out to Bonsai Rock. To get there, turn left and head south. You will soon see a giant rock with tiny trees on it that resemble a bonsai. This is a great spot to stop and take photos or take a dip in the lake, as it is pretty shallow. If you want to explore more of the region, keep going south and you will hit Chimney Beach and Secret Cove, both great spots to dock and have lunch or swim. 

 

Some other great spots to launch are Cave Rock State Park, Patton Beach and Meeks Bay. Patton Beach and Meeks Bay offer on-site rentals, and Cave Rock is a location that Clearly Tahoe uses for guided kayak tours. Make sure to book ahead of time if you choose to go there, as tours sell out in advance.

 

Remember to leave early in the morning to ensure that you get a parking spot and calmer conditions on the water. The winds have been pretty active in the afternoons lately!

 

See our Kayaking section and Standup Paddleboarding section for outfitters and locations.

3. Float Down the Truckee River

This was one of my favorite activities to do in Tahoe when I was a kid, and it’s always so wonderful to see families enjoying the same tradition today. I have such fond memories of floating down the Truckee River from Tahoe City to the River Ranch with my family and getting a delicious lunch after as we watched other rafters come in. 

The stoke is always high on the river, and people from all ages and places come to soak in the sun and spend time on the river. There are plenty of places to dock your raft if you want to take a break and swim. The water feels so refreshing! 

Book your self-guided rafting rentals with Truckee River Raft Co, conveniently located in Tahoe City. The excursion typically takes 2 to 3 hours but can take longer if you like to take your time and make stops. Included with your rental is a free parking pass, shuttle and life jackets. Make sure to bring the essentials with you, and that includes water, food, drybag, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. The sun is strong out there! I also recommend bringing a waterproof camera to document your adventures and share with your loved ones. 

After you’re done with your rafting excursion, you have a variety options for nearby adventures. You can go to Palisades to check out the village for shopping and dining or take the tram up to High Camp. Palisades also offers a Via Ferrata for the brave explorers who want a fun and safe way to scale a mountain course. Combining hiking, scrambling and climbing, you can clip-in and follow your guide across previously inaccessible terrain via cables.

You can also head back to Tahoe City for shopping, dining and time at the lake. Taking a swim in the lake is the best way to cool off!

Tip: If you want to see the river, but don't want to go rafting, you can always bike or walk along the paved pathways that parallel the rafting path. 

Tahoe Whitewater Tours in Truckee offers thrillseekers guided tours on the Truckee River, East Fork Carson River, North Fork American River, Middle Fork American River and South Fork American River, with half-day, full-day and multi-day options available.

 

If you're an avid golfer, you're probably familiar with some of Tahoe's big-name courses, most notably Edgewood or Lake Tahoe Golf Course. But did you know that Tahoe is home to more than 20 golf courses, many of which are accessible to the public? 

 

Rated by Golf Magazine as one of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the USA, Edgewood is arguably one of the premier courses in Tahoe. As the only golf course on the lakefront, it is highly sought after by professional golfers, celebrities and golf aficionados. With remarkable views of the lake and High Sierra peaks, it's no wonder that it's a location for numerous events and competitions, such as the yearly Celebrity Golf Championship.

 

Venture a few miles south and you'll find Lake Tahoe Golf Course, an impeccably designed course offering unparalleled views of South Lake's most iconic peaks, including Mount Tallac and Heavenly. Not only is Lake Tahoe Golf Course equipped with world-class facilities and instructors, it is also a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary committed to protecting the environment and implementing sustainable practices. 

 

If you're located on the north side of the lake, take your golf game to Ponderosa Golf Course, a local favorite for golfers of all ages and abilities. Managed by the Truckee-Donner Recreation and Park District, Ponderosa Golf Course is conveniently located in Truckee, so you can easily plan other fun activities when your game is done, such as shopping, dining, hiking or going to nearby Donner Lake. This 9-hole course also features chipping greens, driving nets, a snack bar and pro shop.

 

For those who want a less serious game, or something for the little kids, there's always mini golf! Heavenly Village Mini Golf and Magic Carpet Golf are family favorites. See more golf options on our Golf page.

 

It seems like the list of hikes in Tahoe is endless; I learn about a new trail all the time! And the best part is that there are trails easily accessible for all ages and abilities. You can explore the iconic day-hiking trails that top the tourism to-do list or head to the backcountry to escape the crowds and see Tahoe from a different perspective.

If you're feeling super adventurous, you can even take a multi-day hike! People from all over the world come to take on the challenge of the Tahoe Rim Trail every summer, and for good reason. This 170-mile hike will test you mentally and physically as you hike through varied terrain in the Tahoe wilderness. Don't want to take on the entire challenge just yet? You can hike sections of it as a day hike. In fact, there are nine trailheads, including Echo Lake to Lake Aloha, a local favorite. 

If you're looking for hikes with quintessential Lake Tahoe views, I recommend Tahoe East Shore Trail (easy), Monkey Rock (easy), Vikingsholm (easy), Maggie's Peaks (moderate), Mount Tallac (strenuous), Mount Rose (strenuous) and Rifle Peak (strenuous). 

Want to explore the backcountry a bit? Try Winnemucca Lake (easy), Sardine Lake Lookout (moderate), Loch Leven (moderate), Lake of the Woods (moderate), or Dicks Peak (strenuous).  

Make sure to check the trail conditions, pack accordingly, leave no trace and have fun! See more hiking locations and outfitters here.

6. Hit the Mountain Biking Trails

Want to explore the trails in thrilling new way? Try mountain biking!

 

Mountain biking is an exciting, adrenaline-pumping activity that can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. Just like hiking, there is a vast network of trails around the Tahoe Truckee region that cater to the fun-riding first-time riders all the way to the expert singletrack shredders. 

 

Darguablyw where to start? Try the Flume Trail, arguable Tahoe's most iconic and scenic trail. Perfect for all levels, the Flume Trail is located in Incline Village and has an on-site bike rental and trailhead shuttle service right next to Tunnel Creek Cafe. 

 

Looking for a bike park? Head to Northstar. Boasting a large network of trails for all levels, varied terrain, jump line, state-of-the-art and dedicated instructors, Northstar has earned its reputation as a premier mountain biking destination. And, when you're done riding, you can fuel your appetite at the delicious dining options at the village.

 

We have a huge list of biking locations and outfitters here.

 

I hope you have a great Labor Day weekend and make some memories. Remember to stay safe and be prepared. Expect traffic, road work, potential delays and sudden changes in weather. I always recommend to leave as early as you can to maximize your time. And, of course, leave no trace!