by Ian Farquharson

Created on: December 06, 2009

Things to do in Lake Tahoe State Park

Nevada is one of the most beautiful States in the USA and there are many places to go to enjoy the outdoor life and the fantastic scenery. Some of the best of these are State Parks and in Nevada one of the finest is Lake Tahoe State Park. This park is located close to Carson City in western Nevada, on the north east shoreline of Lake Tahoe and it offers the visitor a variety of activities and pastimes that make a vacation or day out a great experience.

With the park being located on the shoreline of Lake Tahoe and also Spooner Lake being within the park's boundaries, this provides excellent opportunities for some water based fun. Boating on Lake Tahoe is popular and there is a boat launch available with provides access to deep water close to the shore. The car park for this fills up quickly in the summer, especially on the weekend, so make sure to get there early if you fancy exploring the lake.

You can also go swimming or scuba diving in the crystal clear waters of the lake during the summer months and beach patrol is available for your safety. This can be done from Sand Harbor which is probably the most popular location in the park. This area has long sandy beaches and offers beautiful views of the lake so remember to take a camera.

The other water activities are based around Spooner Lake which is set in lush meadows and aspen groves and is a beautiful spot in the park. Fishing is popular here and the lake is stocked annually with trout and these can be caught and kept if you want to cook your own dinner. The limit for the day is five fish, if you are lucky enough to achieve this. Ice fishing is also permitted on Spooner Lake during the winter months if you are a dedicated fisherman. If you fancy a swim during the summer months however, stick to Lake Tahoe as Spooner Lake has leeches which, although harmless, can be annoying.

Spooner Lake also serves as the starting point for many of the hiking, cycling and equestrian trails in the park. These lead into the back country area between the lake and Carson City. This covers an area of some 13,000 acres in the Carson Range and the trails offer a chance to see some of the countryside and wildlife the park has to offer. There are many, many miles of trails in this area and some of the more popular ones are the Flume Trail, the Tahoe Rim Trail and The Spooner Lake Trail. The shorter Sand Point Nature Trail is located next the Lake Tahoe and offers beautiful views of the lake. This is a handicap accessible trail and is around 1/3 of a mile long.

For day trippers the park also provides excellent picnic facilities with developed sites at a number of locations throughout the park. These are great places to sit and enjoy the scenery while having a picnic lunch. If you are interested in learning some of the history of Lake Tahoe there is a Visitor Centre and Harbor House which has a number of displays showing the natural and cultural history of the area.

If you want to spend more than a day in the park there are also two log cabins available for rent and these are a great way to spend some more time in the park and sleep in a rustic setting.

Overall Lake Tahoe State Park is an excellent place to spend a day out or have a vacation and it offers many activities and attractions which will keep most people happy and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. If you live in Nevada or are planning to visit the State, the park is a great place to enjoy some time. If the opportunity arises to have a trip to the park you should definitely take it.

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