Lake Tahoe Camping Spots
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When most people think of summer in the Tahoe-Truckee region, they envision lounging by the crystal-clear lakeshore, boating on calm blue waters, walking or biking through wooded trails and barbecuing with their loved ones as the sun sets. But for some people, summer signals the start of endurance races.
Tahoe-Truckee is a stunning high-altitude natural playground offering opportunities for every age, level and athletic ability to challenge and enjoy themselves through outdoor recreation. During the summer months, triathlons, marathons and various races in open-water swimming (fun fact: I participate in these), trail running, paddleboarding and cycling fill the calendars of athletes from all over the country, and some even come from overseas.
These races are more than just competitions. They are excellent ways to challenge oneself, experience the region in a unique way and interact with the vibrant and health-conscious community. Some even offer opportunities for fundraising and raising awareness for great causes.
And if you don’t feel like participating in a race, but still want to experience it, you can be a spectator in many of these events to see athletic excellence, mingle with other onlookers and racers and feel the elevated energy.
Below, I have listed some of the top upcoming signature races for the summer. I hope that you get to experience them, either as a participant or onlooker and see how incredible our community truly is!
Broken Arrow Skyrace
June 19 - 22
Showcasing some of the most elite trail running athletes from all over the world, the Broken Arrow Skyrace is a highly coveted four-day, nine-distance option event held at the iconic Palisades Tahoe.
Runners of all ages and levels are encouraged to participate in their respective distances, where they will navigate rugged terrain, challenge themselves in elevation gain and endurance, and get to revel in the stunning Sierra scenery.
The Broken Arrow Skyrace is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment and being a positive leader in the trail running community. This year, they announced their Inclusivity Initiative to make it more accessible for athletes interested in competing and fostering strong community connections.
Location: Palisades Tahoe
Adventure Sports Week highlights competition in human-powered sports like cycling, running, and swimming. Photo Credit: Adventure Sports Week Tahoe.
Adventure Sports Week Tahoe
June 20 - 29
A whole week dedicated to outdoor recreation and racing? Count me in! Adventure Sports Week Tahoe is a testament to the region’s adventurous spirit, human-powered outdoor recreation activities and vibrant community. Locals and visitors alike are encouraged to attend and participate!
Featuring high-profile competitions such as the Lake Tahoe Mountain Bike Race, Tahoe Trail Running Series, Tahoe City Swim (kicking off the Sierra Open Water Swim Series), XTerra Tahoe City, Burton Creek Trail Run and the Tahoe Off-Road Triathlon, this 10-day event is meant to appeal to every sports enthusiast in the region.
After, relax and revel by the lake with a plethora of opportunities to check out the menus at local restaurants, listen to live music, watch gear demos or wander through the nearby Tahoe City Wine Walk.
This year, Adventure Sports Week Tahoe has partnered with the Sierra State Parks Foundation and Girls on the Run.
Below is the full list of events with their respective dates and times.
Lake Tahoe Mountain Bike Race: June 21
Burton Creek Trail Run: June 22
XTERRA Tahoe City Off-Road Triathlon and Sprint: June 28
XTERRA Tahoe City Off-Road Duathlon: June 28
XTERRA Tahoe City Off-Road Aquabike: June 28
Tahoe City Swim: June 28
Rock Tahoe Half Marathon
June 22
In partnership with Keep Tahoe Blue, the Rock Tahoe Half Marathon takes runners through a stunning 13.1-mile course along the stunning south side of Tahoe’s acclaimed East Shore. Starting at Spooner Summit, participants will make their way through Logan Shoals, Cave Rock, Round Hill Pines, Nevada Beach and Rabe Meadow to their final destination, the Golden Nugget Resort and Casino. Here, they will be treated to a celebratory finishers’ party and awards ceremony.
There will be a shuttle service at the Golden Nugget Resort and Casino to take participants to the Spooner Summit starting line to help ease traffic congestion and parking concerns.
Location: Spooner Summit to Golden Nugget Resort and Casino Lake Tahoe
Run to the Tahoe Vista beach and celebrate July 4th with your loved ones! Photo Credit: Tahoe Trail Running.
Run to the Beach 5K/10K
July 4
Celebrate Independence Day with the family-friendly Run to the Beach 5K or 10K in Tahoe Vista. Starting in North Tahoe Regional Park, you can run, walk or stroll as you make your way to the finish line at the Tahoe Vista Recreation Area Beach. Here, you can cool off with a swim in the lake, get your recovery snacks or set up to view the drone light show later that evening.
Location: North Tahoe Regional Park to Tahoe Vista Recreation Area Beach
Donner Lake Triathlon
July 26 and 27
One of the most popular triathlon events in California, the Donner Lake Triathlon is an entire weekend dedicated to celebrating athleticism, outdoor recreation and community. There will be various events, including a kids' race, sprint, Olympic, half, aquabike and duathlon. The spring and Olympic events are also State Championships, so expect a thrilling competition!
The Donner Lake Triathlon runs in partnership with Clean Up the Lake and aims to raise $5,000 or more in support of the removal of litter and invasive aquatic species in Donner Lake to preserve it for generations to come.
There is also an option to sign up for the open-water swimming portion, which is hosted by Big Blue Adventure as part of the Sierra Open Water Swim Series and is an incredible event in its own right. You can sign up here.
Location: Donner Lake
Experience vibrant Downtown Truckee while getting a great workout at the Truckee Half Marathon and 5K. Photo Credit: Truckee Half Marathon and Big Blue Adventure.
Truckee Half Marathon and 5K
August 2
Hosted by Big Blue Adventure, the ninth annual Truckee Half Marathon and 5K is a great chance for locals and visitors to experience Downtown Truckee in a challenging and exciting way. Sponsored by Alibi Ale Works and Tahoe Forest Health System, the Truckee Half Marathon aims to bring the community together for a good cause and a good time through athletic competitions and outdoor fitness.
Location: Downtown Truckee
Lake Tahoe Triathlon
August 23 and 24
Another popular California-based triathlon, the Lake Tahoe Triathlon is a weekend dedicated to running, cycling and swimming in the stunning setting of Sugar Pine Point State Park, one of the gems of the quaint West Shore.
This event will have a variety of races for various ages and levels, including a sprint, Olympic, half, duathlon and aquabike.
Sponsored by North Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Forest Health System and Alibi Ale Works, the Lake Tahoe Triathlon aims to provide a fun, competitive environment and an opportunity to inspire athletes and spectators to prioritize wellness, sustainability and lifelong memories.
Just like the other triathlons with Big Blue Adventure, this event has an option to sign up for the open-water swim portion, which will have various distances and start times. This will start at Sugar Pine Point State Park. You can sign up here.
Location: Sugar Pine Point State Park
About the Author Kirsten Alexis
Kirsten is an outdoor adventure enthusiast, writer and photographer. You can typically find her hiking, paddleboarding, cross-country skiing and checking out new spots to share in the Tahoe Donner region. She has been lucky to call Tahoe her second home since she was a child and aims to inspire people to experience Tahoe and fall in love with the beauty and adventurous spirit of the region through her blogs and content. 
