Straddling the border of Nevada and California, Lake Tahoe is a sapphire blue jewel in the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains. With a depth of 1,645 ft, it’s the second deepest lake in the United States (after Crater Lake in Oregon.) The lake is huge with a surface area of 190 square miles and is 12 miles wide and 22 miles long.

One of the premier tourist destinations in two states, the lake offers a wealth of outdoor adventures all year long among some of the country’s most stunning scenery. Here are the best ways to admire the views around beautiful Lake Tahoe.

Scenic Drives and Overlooks

Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive

The Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive is a well-maintained paved road that loops around it for 68 miles. Because it’s a loop, the drive can begin at any point and includes many scenic overlooks. The route follows the US 50, NV 28, US 89 highways and passes through the popular towns of Tahoe City, South Lake Tahoe, King’s Beach, and several other smaller towns.

Rather than following the lake’s shoreline, the road runs back and above from just 50 yards to a mile or more. Most of the road is always open weather permitting. One exception is a short section of US HWY 89 on the lake’s west shore on the California side.

Emerald Bay State Park Lookout