If you see Lake Tahoe, you’ll know why it’s called “The Jewel of the Sierra.” With an average depth of 1,645 feet, Lake Tahoe is the deepest and biggest mountain lake in North America. It is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide. Also, it’s very old; it was made more than two million years ago. 

“Big Blue” is North America’s biggest mountain lake, with 72 miles of clean coast and 191 square miles of cold, clear water. It’s also the second deepest lake in the country, with 1,645 feet of water between your stand-up paddleboard and the bottom. (Don’t drop your phone.)

This watery gem has fun things to do, places to stay, and entertainment all year long. During the better months, you can enjoy a water sports playground surrounded by amazing hikes and camping. When it snows in Lake Tahoe, the area turns into a winter wonderland where you can ski, snowboard, sled, and do many other winter sports and activities.

The Sierra Nevada is home to Lake Tahoe, which is one of the largest and deepest lakes in North America. It is more than a mile above sea level. The huge amount of water and the surrounding Tahoe Basin touch five counties and cross the line between Nevada and California. There is a single outlet that flows into the Truckee River. A 72-mile drive around Lake Tahoe, which is best seen on the Lake Tahoe Loop road trip, is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. If you’d rather walk, the famous Tahoe Rim Trail goes around the whole lake on 165 miles of tracks that are good for walkers of all types. The north and south sides of Lake Tahoe have very different moods, speeds, and characters.

These two towns on Lake Tahoe’s north shore are only 45 minutes from downtown Reno. They are a bit more relaxed than downtown Reno. If you want to enjoy the natural beauty of the area, stay in a rustic cabin, and get away from the stress of everyday life, North Lake Tahoe has it all. Many people love the north side of the lake because it has beautiful hiking and bike tracks, lots of beaches, and lots of places to ski both Nordic and downhill. 

At Sand Harbour State Park in North Lake Tahoe, you can find one of the biggest and most beautiful public sandy beaches in all of Lake Tahoe. The outdoor stage at Sand Harbour is open all year, so you can enjoy live theatre the way it was meant to be seen. In the winter, you can walk along a beach with no one else there. People from all over the world come to hike or ride a mountain bike on the famous Lake Tahoe Flume Trail, which goes high above the trees. Check out the paved, multi-use East Shore Trail, which runs along the water from North Lake Tahoe’s Tunnel Creek Cafe to Sand Harbour three miles to the south. It’s just as beautiful without the extra work.

Hotels in North Lake Tahoe have a lot of different services and things to do. The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort in Incline Village has its own private beach and pier and a swanky old-fashioned look. While you’re here, don’t miss the chance to take a tour of the Thunderbird Lodge and see how Legendary Nevadan George Whittel lived as a strange billionaire.