The best road trips near Lake Tahoe

Around Lake Tahoe, the peaks of the Sierra Nevada rise above deep blue water so clear that you can peer more than 70ft below the surface. In winter, skiers prize the basin’s 14 ski areas, while in summer, people flock to Tahoe's beaches and its hiking and biking trails. Perhaps the best times to visit Lake Tahoe are the shoulder seasons in spring (March to June) and fall (September to November), when the region is less crowded and hotel rooms are more affordable.

In addition to Lake Tahoe’s natural beauty, the location is within driving distance of many of the top destinations in California and Nevada, making it the ideal base for scenic drives and road trips. To inspire you, we’ve rounded up our favorite road trips near Lake Tahoe.

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1. Around Lake Tahoe via US 50, NV 28 and US 89

Best for scenery

Start/Finish: Stateline, NV (or anywhere along the route)
Approximate distance: 72 miles

To circumnavigate the lake, you can begin anywhere, but if you start in Stateline, NV, you'll have the surreal experience of driving through a strip of high-rise casinos glimmering against the backdrop of the wilderness. Next, follow the route clockwise to the visitors center in Taylor Creek, CA, where you can stroll along the wheelchair-accessible Rainbow Trail and meander down to dog-friendly Kiva Beach.

Up next is DL Bliss State Park, with the highest-elevation lighthouse in the USA; from there, continue uphill to Emerald Bay State Park. Even if you don’t hike down to Vikingsholm Castle, it’s worth stopping here for vistas of tiny Fannette Island, the only island in the lake.

Wind along the shoreline past Homewood to Carnellian Bay, where you can stop for lunch with a view at Gar Woods, one of the few truly waterfront restaurants on the lake (it's famous for a colorful frozen drink cheekily named the Wet Woody). Afterward, swing by Magic Carpet Golf and Arcade for a round of mini golf. Continue driving to Tahoe City to browse at the charming shops and boutiques before you make your way to Incline Village, NV.

Make a short detour in Incline Village to check out Bowl Incline, an entertainment center with bowling, axe throwing, billiards and an arcade. The attached Sam Choy’s Ohana Diner is the place for poke bowls in Lake Tahoe. Continue to Sand Harbor State Park, famous for its golden sand beaches, turquoise water and smooth, mammoth boulders.

Before you return to Stateline, travel through the Cave Rock Tunnel, a mountainous volcanic rock formation long held sacred to the region’s Indigenous Washoe people. On the other side, explore more beaches and hiking trails at Zephyr Cove.

Planning tip: Although this route is gorgeous in winter, the drive is not advisable in snowy or icy conditions. Wait until the roads are clear. You’ll likely encounter heavy traffic around the lake in summer, especially on weekends.

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2. NV 207 to a Mormon settlement

Best for a 19th-century town

Start/Finish: South Lake Tahoe, CA – Genoa, NV
Approximate distance: 20 miles

Genoa is Nevada’s oldest non-Indigenous settlement, founded by Mormons as a trading station in 1850. Victorian-style B&Bs and 19th-century buildings infuse this tiny town with oodles of charm. 

You can sidle up to the bar at Nevada’s oldest watering hole: Genoa Bar, established in 1853. The saloon is everything you hope it will be, with a brick exterior and an antique counter and mirror. History buffs should stop by the Courthouse Museum, the Genoa Cemetery and Mormon Station State Historic Park, which features a replica of the original trading post.

Planning tip: The Pink House, located in the town’s oldest building, hosts live music on the weekends and a weekday happy hour with drink specials and half-price pizza.

3. Mt Rose Hwy

Best for casinos and public art

Start/Finish: Incline Village, NV – Reno, NV
Approximate distance: 37 miles

No visit to Lake Tahoe would be complete without a stop in Reno, NV. From the Mt Rose summit, you’ll see Tahoe Meadows to your right, and you'll find a long boardwalk through a meadow that delivers views of seasonal wildflowers and alpine scenery. If you continue into the woods, follow the signs for Tahoe Rim Trail up to breathtaking vistas of Lake Tahoe. This area is known as Chickadee Ridge, courtesy of the population of mountain chickadees who nibble birdseed from your hand. Parking is free along the side of the road.

When you reach Reno, park near the Riverwalk, then stroll along the Truckee River. The area is home to casinos with cool vintage signs and the famous Reno Arch, which proudly proclaims Reno is the Biggest Little City in the World. The sidewalks of downtown Reno brim with public art, from the murals of Midtown to large-scale Burning Man sculptures (the most famous, Space Whale, is particularly dazzling when it lights up at night). Other must-see attractions include the Nevada Museum of Art and the National Automobile Museum.

Detour: Before you head back to Lake Tahoe, stop by Peppermill for all-you-can-eat sushi at the resort's Oceano restaurant, followed by a cocktail in the plush, retro Fireside Lounge.

4. Historic stops along I-80

Best for gold rush history

Start/Finish: Truckee, CA – El Dorado County, CA
Approximate distance: 94 miles

Historically a railroad town, today's Truckee, CA, is packed with restaurants, breweries, shops, and galleries. Be sure to stop by the Donner Memorial State Park visitors center to learn more about the area’s history, which includes the Indigenous Washoe people, the infamous Donner Party and the laborers who built the transcontinental railroad.

Next, head to Placerville to immerse yourself in California’s fascinating gold rush history. Placerville’s Main St is overflowing with beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings, housing art galleries, antique shops, restaurants and museums. Next, drive 5 minutes to the El Dorado County Historical Museum to learn about the area’s Indigenous history, the early days of the gold rush and the El Dorado Western Railroad. After you’ve had your fill, make your way up Apple Hill, where you’ll find farm stands, orchards and vineyards like the lovely Boeger Winery.

Planning tip: When you return to Truckee, head up the mountain to the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe to cap your evening with a drink next to the stunning 55ft fireplace.

5. US 50 to a mining town

Best for quirky fun

Start/Finish: South Lake Tahoe, CA – Virginia City, NV
Approximate distance: 43 miles

Dramatic orange hills flank winding US 50 up to the historic mining town of Virginia City, NV. Keep your eyes peeled for wild horses, which can almost always be seen grazing alongside the road. Virginia City dates back to 1859; it became a booming metropolis of 25,000 after the discovery of the Comstock Lode. Today, it is a delightful combination of touristy and authentic experiences. Wood-plank sidewalks front old-time saloons, while locals frequently dress in vintage garb. Spend an entire day wandering into watering holes and souvenir shops. Activities shedding light on Virginia City’s history include exploring Piper’s Opera House, touring the Chollar Mine and riding a steam locomotive on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.

Planning tip: Virginia City is one of the quirkiest small towns in the country, as evidenced by its annual events. Check schedules for the World Championship Outhouse Races, the International Camel and Ostrich Races and the Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry.