Lake Tahoe, Alpine lake in Sierra Nevada, US.
Description
Lake Tahoe is a high-altitude freshwater lake straddling the border between California and Nevada, covering 499 square kilometers (192 square miles). Its deepest point reaches 501 meters (1,645 feet), making it one of the deepest lakes in North America.
History
The Washoe people settled here over 10,000 years ago, using the water for food and spiritual practices. The silver rush in Nevada during the 19th century transformed the area, as loggers cleared surrounding forests to supply mines.
Culture
Locals gather year-round at public beaches and marinas for kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply watching the water change color as the sun moves. The shoreline attracts families during summer and snowshoers in winter, creating a shared rhythm of outdoor recreation that defines life in the surrounding communities.
Practical
Visitors can walk or cycle along over sixty tributaries feeding the water, while the Truckee River to the northeast serves as the only outflow. Access is available year-round, though winter months bring snow to higher trails and summer months suit water activities.
Did you know?
Clarity of the water allows visibility down to 21 meters (70 feet) below the surface, driven by exceptionally low nutrient levels. On some days, the water appears bluer than the sky because it scatters light in a way only a handful of lakes worldwide can replicate.
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Emerald Bay State Park
15.4 km
Vikingsholm
15.9 km
Thunderbird Lodge
13.4 km
D. L. Bliss State Park
12.8 km
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
9.7 km
Harveys Outdoor Arena
15.5 km
Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
8.2 km
Rubicon Point Light
11.1 km
Van Sickle Bi-State Park
15.7 kmMount Pluto, California
19.9 km
De’ek wadapush
8.4 kmBurton Creek State Park
15.6 km
Eagle Falls Trailhead
16.1 km
Chimney Beach
12.5 km
Friday's Station
15.6 km
Whale Beach
11.1 km
Pope Beach
16.3 km
Maggies Peak
18.3 kmSugar Pine Point Light
7.4 km
Pope Estate
16.3 km
Rubicon Peak
13.6 km
Logan Shoals Vista Point
8.3 km
Watson Log Cabin
13.4 km
Cal-Vada Lodge Hotel
16.2 km
Lakeside Beach
15.5 kmTahoe Maritime Museum
12.9 km
Phipps Peak
17.5 kmLake Shore House
8.3 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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