Activities in Sierra Nevada
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Hiking Trails
With over 800 miles of hiking trails, Yosemite is a delight for trekkers of all abilities. You can take an easy half-mile stroll on the valley floor; venture out all day on a quest for viewpoints, waterfalls and lakes or go wilderness camping in the remote outer reaches of the backcountry.
Some of the park's most popular hikes start right in Yosemite Valley, including, the most famous of all, to the top of Half Dome (17-mile round-trip). It follows a section of the John Muir Trail and is strenuous, difficult and best tackled in two days with an overnight in Little Yosemite Valley. Reaching the top can only be done after rangers have installed fixed cables. Depending on sn…
reviewed
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Lake Tahoe Sleigh Ride
Varies (Departs Lake Tahoe)
by Viator
Experience an old fashioned sleigh ride around beautiful Lake Tahoe in one of several antique European sleighs! Your sleigh ride adventure will take you over th…Not LP reviewed
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Rock Climbing
With its sheer spires, polished domes and soaring monoliths, Yosemite is rock-climbing nirvana. The main climbing season runs from April to October. Most climbers, including some legendary stars, stay at Camp 4 near El Cap, especially in spring and fall. In summer, another base camp springs up at Tuolumne Meadows Campground. Climbers looking for partners post notices on bulletin boards at either campground.
Yosemite Mountaineering School offers top-flight instruction for novice to advanced rock hounds, plus guided climbs and equipment rental. All-day beginners classes are around US$120 per person if the group size is at least three people, more if there are fewer.
Climbers…
reviewed
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Skiing
As the days shorten, the valley becomes a quiet, frosty world of snow-draped evergreens, ice-coated lakes and vivid vistas of gleaming white mountains sparkling against blue skies. Winter tends to arrive in full force by mid-November and whimper out in early April. Most of the action converges on the family-friendly Badger Pass Ski Area.
Cross-country skiers can explore 350 miles of skiable trails and roads, including 90 miles of marked trails and 25 miles of machine-groomed track near Badger Pass. The scenic but grueling trail to Glacier Point - 21-mile round-trip - also starts from here. More trails are at Crane Flat and the Mariposa Grove. The nongroomed trails can als…
reviewed
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Heavenly Ski Resort
This gem, 5 miles south of Tahoe City, proves that bigger isn't always better. Locals and in-the-know visitors cherish the awesome lake views, laid-back ambience, smaller crowds, tree-lined slopes and open bowls (including the excellent but expert 'Quail Face'). Families love the wide, gentle slopes and free kids' tickets. This is also the best place to ski during stormy weather. Stats: 8 lifts, 1650 vertical ft, 60 runs.
The 'mother' of all Tahoe mountains boasts the most acreage, the longest run and the biggest vertical drop in the western USA. Follow the sun by skiing on the Nevada side in the morning, moving to the California side in the afternoon. Views of the lake …
reviewed
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Homewood Ski Resort
This gem, 5 miles south of Tahoe City, proves that bigger isn't always better. Locals and in-the-know visitors cherish the awesome lake views, laid-back ambience, smaller crowds, tree-lined slopes and open bowls (including the excellent but expert 'Quail Face'). Families love the wide, gentle slopes and free kids' tickets. This is also the best place to ski during stormy weather. Stats: 8 lifts, 1650 vertical ft, 60 runs.
The 'mother' of all Tahoe mountains boasts the most acreage, the longest run and the biggest vertical drop in the western USA. Follow the sun by skiing on the Nevada side in the morning, moving to the California side in the afternoon. Views of the lake a…
reviewed
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Hiking Emerald Bay State Park
Two trailheads lead from Emerald Bay into the Desolation Wilderness. Starting at the Eagle Falls parking lot (around US$3), the Eagle Falls Trail travels one steep mile to Eagle Lake, crossing by Eagle Falls along the way. This scenic short hike often gets choked with visitors, but crowds thin out immediately beyond the lake as the trail continues to the Tahoe Rim Trail and Velma, Dicks and Fontanillis Lakes.
From the Bayview Trailhead at the back of the Bayview Campground, it's a steep 1-mile climb to glacial Granite Lake at the foot of Maggies Peaks. The less ambitious might want to opt for the easy to moderate 1.5-mile round-trip to Cascade Falls. Vikingsholm Castle se…
reviewed
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Squaw Valley High Camp
The host of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games, Squaw Valley USA still ranks among the world's top ski resorts. The stunning setting amidst granite peaks, though, makes it a superb destination in any season. The village at the mountain base is about a 15- to 20-minute drive from Tahoe City or Truckee via Hwy 89 (turn off at Squaw Valley Rd).
Much of the action centers on 8200ft Squaw Valley High Camp, reached by cable car (around US$19), which has an outdoor ice-skating rink and a heated outdoor swimming pool. Your cable car ticket also includes admission to the Olympic Museum, which relives magic moments from 1960. Discounts are available for children, teens and seniors.
reviewed
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Cycling
For an easy spin, take the South Lake Tahoe Bike Path. It heads west from El Dorado Beach, eventually connecting with the Pope-Baldwin Bike Path to Camp Richardson and the Tallac Historic Site.
For expert mountain-bikers, the classic Mr Toads Wild Ride, with its steep downhill sections and banked turns, should prove sufficiently challenging. Intermediate riders should steer towards the mostly single-track Powerline Trail, which traverses ravines and creeks. Anyone with good lungs might try the Angora Lakes Trail, which is steep but technically easy and rewards you with sweeping views of Mt Tallac and Fallen Leaf Lake.
reviewed
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Rafting
From about late May to July, floating the Merced River from Stoneman Meadow, near Curry Village, to Sentinel Bridge is a leisurely way to soak up Yosemite Valley views.
Raft rentals for the 3-mile trip are available at Curry Village and include equipment and a tram ride back to the rental kiosk. Rafting above Yosemite Stables or below Cathedral Beach Picnic Area is forbidden.
River rats are also drawn to the fierce Tuolumne River, a classic Class IV run that plunges and thunders through boulder gardens and cascades. Both Oars and Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions run a variety of trips.
reviewed
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Mt Judah
Truckee is a great base for outdoor explorations in the Tahoe National Forest, especially in the Donner Summit area. One popular hike is to the top of 8243ft Mt Judah for awesome views of Donner Lake and the surrounding peaks. A longer and more strenuous ridge-crest hike links Donner Pass and Squaw Valley (15.5 miles, moderate to difficult) skirting the base of four prominent peaks. The TART bus takes you back to the trailhead.
For maps and further route suggestions, drop by the USFS ranger station at Truckee.
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Granite Chief Wilderness
Hikers should explore the fabulous trails of the Granite Chief Wilderness north and west of Tahoe City. For maps and trailhead directions, stop by the visitors center or the outfitters listed below. Wilderness permits are not required, not even for overnight trips.
Recommended day hikes include the moderately strenuous Five Lakes Trail (round-trip 5 miles) and the easy trek to Paige Meadows (leading on to the Tahoe Rim Trail). Paige Meadows is also good terrain for novice mountain-bikers and for snowshoeing.
reviewed
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Alpine Meadows Ski Resort
Alpine is a no-nonsense resort without the fancy village, attitude or crowds. It gets more snow than neighboring Squaw and its open-boundary policy makes it the most backcountry-friendly around. Boarders can jib down the mountain in a terrain park designed by Eric Rosenwald. Also look for the adorable - and supersmart - ski patrol dogs. Stats: 13 lifts, 1802 vertical ft, 100 runs. It's 6 miles northwest of Tahoe City.
reviewed
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Northstar-at-Tahoe Ski Resort
This hugely popular resort, 6 miles south of I-80, has great intermediate terrain, although advanced and expert skiers can look for challenges on the back of the mountain. Recent additions include the slick Village Plaza and a kids' terrain park. Its relatively sheltered location makes it the second-best choice after Homewood when it's snowing. Weekends get superbusy. Stats: 17 lifts, 2280 vertical ft, 70 runs.
reviewed
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Horse-Riding
Yosemite Stables runs guided trips to scenic locales such as Mirror Lake, the Chilnualna Falls and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias from three bases. The season runs from May to October, although this varies slightly by location. No experience is needed for the two-hour and half-day rides, but reservations are advised, especially at the Yosemite Valley stables.
reviewed
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Yosemite Stables
Yosemite Stables runs guided trips to such scenic locales as Mirror Lake, the Chilnualna Falls and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias from three bases. The season runs from May to October, although this varies slightly by location. No experience is needed for the two-hour and half-day rides, but reservations are advised, especially at the Yosemite Valley stables.
reviewed
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Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay Cruise on M.S. Dixie II
by Viator
Take a 2-hour sightseeing cruise on the M.S. Dixie II around magnificent Lake Tahoe to savor the wonders of this picturesque area. Discover breathtaking views o…Not LP reviewed
from USD$47.50 -
Kirkwood Ski Resort
Off-the-beaten-path Kirkwood, set in a high-elevation valley, gets great snow and holds it longer than any other Tahoe resort. It has stellar tree-skiing, gullies and chutes. Novice out-of-bounds skiers should check out the backcountry safety-skills clinics. Stats: 12 lifts, 2000 vertical ft, 68 runs. It's 35 miles southwest of South Lake Tahoe via Hwy 89.
reviewed
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Tahoe Adventure Company
For guided high-Sierra adventures, contact Tahoe Adventure Company. Staff members know the backcountry inside out and can customize any outing to your interest and skill level, from kayaking, hiking, mountain-biking, rock climbing or any combination thereof. Tours also introduce you to the area's natural and human history and its geology, flora and fauna.
reviewed
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Tahoe Adventure Company
For guided high-Sierra adventures, contact Tahoe Adventure Company. Staff members know the backcountry inside out and can customize any outing to your interest and skill level, from kayaking, hiking, mountain-biking, rock climbing or any combination thereof. Tours also introduce you to the area's natural and human history and its geology, flora and fauna.
reviewed
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Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Resort
Cross-country aficionados won't want to pass up a spin around North America's largest resort with its mind-boggling 330km of groomed track crisscrossing some 9000 acres of terrain on 90 trails. It has great skating lanes and diagonal stride tracks and also welcomes telemark skiers and snowshoeing fans. Consider overnighting at one of its two cozy lodges.
reviewed
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Sunset Sleigh Ride and Dinner
2 hours (Departs Lake Tahoe)
by Viator
For over 30 years, this Tahoe family has delighted visitors from around the world with history, fun and nostalgia with sleigh rides through the fields and meado…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$84.99 -
Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour
10 minutes (Departs Lake Tahoe)
by Viator
Never been up in a helicopter before? Well, this is the perfect introduction! Your 10 minute flight takes you up and over the beautiful Emerald Bay, high over V…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$69.99 -
Lake Tahoe Carriage Ride
30 minutes (Departs Lake Tahoe)
by Viator
For over 30 years, this Tahoe family has delighted visitors from around the world with history, fun and nostalgia.
The carriages are pulled by either beautiful 2…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$19.99 -
Lake Tahoe Semi-Private Photography Tour
Varies (Departs Lake Tahoe)
by Viator
This semi-private photography tour offers a myriad of photo opportunities of stunningly beautiful Lake Tahoe and the snow capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada.…Not LP reviewed
from USD$125.00
