Lake Tahoe bucket list for families

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Pacaso’s Editorial Team
June 26, 2025
Lake Tahoe is a year-round playground for families who love the great outdoors. Soak up the summer sun, explore golden fall trails or carve first tracks in fresh winter powder. This checklist will help you and your family make the most of every visit.
Man holding a fish in a fishing net alongside the water.

Summer

Ride the Heavenly Gondola - A smooth, scenic ride up the mountain, complete with panoramic photo ops.Beach picnic at Sugar Pine Point - Skip the crowds and enjoy a peaceful afternoon with scrumptious bites and shaded shoreline before hitting the trails or nearby swimming holes.Family-friendly e-bike tour - Pedal along the scenic Tahoe East Shore Trail—great for older kids and teens.Ride the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster at Heavenly - A thrill ride with sweeping views, made for adventure-loving kids and their parents.Fishing at Tahoe Trout Farm - No license required, no gear needed—just show up and enjoy. You can even clean your fish onsite and take it home for a fresh, kid-approved dinner.
Fall foliage with the sun peeking through the trees.

Fall

Hike the Golden Aspen Trails at Page Meadows - An easy loop bursting with fall colors like yellows, golds and reds, with panoramic views of surrounding peaks.Harvest season at nearby Apple Hill - A short, scenic drive brings you to cider tastings, hayrides, u-pick orchards and wine tasting for the grown-ups.See the salmon spawn at Taylor Creek - A seasonal phenomenon worth witnessing. Stop by the two-day Fall Fish Fest for a full day of family fun and enrichment. 
A man and two children skiing down a slope surrounded by pine trees.

Winter

Sleigh ride through the snow at Sand Harbor - A storybook ride through a winter wonderland, complete with cozy blankets and serene lake views.Family ski day at Northstar - With ski school, kid-friendly runs, après-s’mores by the fire pit, and a village full of fun, it’s a full day of memory-making.Snowshoe Chickadee Ridge - This beginner-friendly trail features breathtaking scenery and close encounters with wildlife, like the Chickadee birds who will eat directly from your hand.Ice skating under the stars - Twirl beneath twinkling lights at the charming outdoor rinks in Heavenly Village or Northstar.
Drive around Lake Tahoe in summer on one of the many scenic roads.

Spring

Explore Tahoe’s wildflower trails - Carson Pass or Spooner Lake offer gentle hikes framed by vibrant spring blooms.Stroll along the Rainbow Trail - A flat, stroller-friendly boardwalk full of lush foliage and wildlife—perfect for little explorers.Take a scenic drive - Cruise Highway 89 or Mount Rose Scenic Byway for waterfalls, wildflowers, and crisp mountain air.Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, Lake Tahoe offers a world of adventure the entire family will love.

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