Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe Family Vacations mean crystalline waters, mesmerizing mountain views and tall majestic pine trees. This is a place where families can share great times together. If you want to have independent and easy travelling experience, then use car hire USA.
Take a cruise on North America’s largest alpine lake, Lake Tahoe, where the remarkably clear water allows you to see down as far as 65 feet.
On the North shore, North Tahoe Cruises, you can cruise the beautiful shoreline, run the stunning emerald waters of Emerald Bay, or watch the sunset over the stunning Sierra Mountains. The majestic Mt. Tallac rises 9,735 feet for a breathtaking backdrop to the lake.
The Tahoe Queen provides a fun paddle wheel journey around the lake. This cruise operates from the Ski Run Marina on Lake Tahoe’s south shore. They have several cruises including the Heritage Tour that shows off Lake Tahoe homes designed by people like Frank Lloyd Wright and Bernard Maybeck.
Skiing in the mountains and jet skiing on the lake are two exciting vacation ideas for you to try on your Lake Tahoe family vacation. A popular snow sport destination is Sierra-at-Tahoe which is extremely kid friendly.
Everyone will enjoy visiting Ben Cartwright’s “The Ponderosa Ranch”, the filming location of television’s Bonanza. It’s located near Lake Tahoe on the exact spot seen on the “Burning Map” at the beginning of every episode. The ranch is now a Western Studio and Theme Park where you can experience the sights and sounds of the real west and the “reel” west.
If you or the family is into hiking, biking or horseback riding then you will enjoy the 150 miles of Tahoe Rim Trail. This multi-use trail completely encircles the lake with 9 separate trail heads to get you going. Outfitter guides like Tahoe Adventure Company can set you up with overnight trips into the mountains and other outdoor activities such as lake kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking or kite boarding.
Lake Tahoe family vacations can include an adventurous Hot Air Balloon Ride over the lake or Carson Valley. Lake Tahoe Balloons has experienced professional pilots to take you up into the sky for a quiet ride across the air waves. There is plenty of room for all your family and friends to share the experience.
Here’s a great idea for your Lake Tahoe family vacation. Echo Creek Mountain Ranch is an incredible 16-acre private estate that sleeps up to 20 people. Located in South Tahoe it features a beautiful 4,000 square foot log home with 5 bedrooms, a bunkhouse and 3 bathrooms. Relax in front of one of the three grand fireplaces. Start a family competition on the ping-pong table. Or enjoy the deck barbeque and private hot tub.
High Camp is a heavenly mountain-top cabin retreat with a 8,200 feet high view of Lake Tahoe, Nevada. And getting there is half the fun. A cable car will take you straight up for 2,000 feet as you take in the breathtaking panorama around you. What a ride!
An interesting place to visit during your family vacation in Lake Tahoe is Taylor Creek Stream Profile Chamber. This unique experience uses floor-to-ceiling glass bay windows to allow you to see what it’s like to go below the surface of Taylor Creek. With a waterfall, sound effects and a floor that feels like the creek bottom you will get the full affect buy stay dry.
Hiking or Driving in Red Rock Provides Unique Desert Experience
Hike this area and view the unique geologic features, plants and animals that represent some of the best examples of the Mojave Desert. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA) is located 15 minutes west of Las Vegas, Nevada. Designated as an NCA in 1990, there are 19 different stops along the scenic loop drive. Featured here are the nine stops that make up the second half of the loop drive, along with level of difficulty and estimated hiking time. Choose one or more to explore based on time constraints and fitness levels. These stops on the loop drive include viewing highlights, degree of difficulty and estimated round-trip hiking times.
SMYC
Access this trail from either Lost Creek or Ice Box Canyon trails. The trail follows the terrain at the base of the steep slope and connects the two trails. Moderate. 2 hours; 2.2 miles.
Ice Box Canyon
Proceed to Mile 8 to access the parking lot for this trail. The trail crosses open desert before it enters the canyon. The trails are unimproved and may require some rock scrambling. Highlights include seasonal waterfalls (January – March). Moderate. 2 hours; 2.6 miles.
Dale’s
Trail access can be found either at Ice Box Canyon or Pine Creek Canyon. The trail follows the terrain at the base of the steep slope and connects the two trails. Moderate. 2.5 hours; 4.4 miles.
Pine Creek Canyon
This trail has its own parking lot accessed from the Loop Drive. The trail traverses across the open desert, past an old homestead site and on into the canyon. Highlights include seasonal waterfalls. Unimproved trails within the canyon may require some tricky rock scrambling. Easy to Moderate. 2 hours; 3 miles.
Fire Ecology
Branching off Pine Creek Canyon Trail, this short, figure eight trail winds through a stand of Ponderosa Pine where a controlled burn had taken place. Easy. 55 minutes; .75 miles.
Oak Creek Canyon
Access via a dirt road from the Oak Creek Turnoff from the 13-mile Scenic Drive. Also accessible from State Route 159. The trails heads through open desert and on into the mouth of the canyon. Caution is recommended here as unimproved trails lead deep into the canyon. Easy to Moderate. 1.5 hours; 2 miles.
Arnight Trail
This trail can begin at the Oak Creek Canyon parking lot or by hiking the Pine Creek Canyon Trail. The trail actually connects the Oak Creek parking lot with the end loop of the Pine Creek Canyon Trail. Moderate. 1.5 hours; 2.4 miles.
Knoll Trail
The best way to access this trail is via the Oak Creek Canyon Trail. The trail links the upper section of the Arnight Trail with the Oak Creek Canyon Trail and follows the base of the steep slope. Moderate. 2.5 hours; 3

