Lake Tahoe’s Secret Season
A handful of fall activities to enjoy before the snow comes
Photos courtesy of North Lake Tahoe
It’s here, Lake Tahoe’s “secret season.” Fall in Lake Tahoe is a peaceful time to visit the playground of the Sierra Nevadas, with nearly empty beaches, dual-sports activities, lodging discounts, harvest menus and more.
First of all, getting to Lake Tahoe is easy. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport is just a 45-minute drive from North Lake Tahoe and visitors will be sitting lakeside in no time with new, nonstop flights from Denver, Colorado, Austin, Texas, Carlsbad, California, and Portland, Oregon.
The average temperature in October for the Tahoe area is 61 degrees, and with a few days of rain, the sun is almost always shining. It gets colder as the days grow shorter but it’s still a relatively sunny place to visit in the fall.
Outdoor Activities
Visitors to Lake Tahoe in autumn can experience dual sports opportunities such as being on the water in the morning and on land in the afternoon. For instance, enjoy a stand-up paddleboard, kayak or sailing experience in the AM followed by the North Lake Tahoe Ale Trail in the afternoon.
Ryan Salm Photography
Clearly Tahoe offers day and sunset kayak tours through October 15, and private tours through the end of the month. They even have Halloween tours for kids.
Of course, land sports like climbing, biking, hiking and even golf are available year round, although in the winter some golf courses turn into snowmobiling or cross-country skiing areas.
Ryan Salm Photography
New this fall, Alpenglow Expeditions debuts Via Ferrata, a new protected climbing route at Squaw Meadows | Alpine Meadows, and the first of its kind in Lake Tahoe. The course adds to hundreds of miles of North Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018, Tahoe City Golf Course is the oldest course in the region. It was designed by a “Queenie” Dunn-Webb, and in celebration, the course is offering discounts for women every Thursday. Explore more North Lake Tahoe Golf Courses.
Ryan Salm Photography
Indoor Activities
During the fall, Tahoe Biltmore, a historic hotel and casino in the Sierra Nevadas, is the place to be. They host a DJ on Halloween, a dining event called Passport to Dining on November 8, Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 22 and a dog-friendly beer tasting on December 1.
Resort at Squaw Creek hosts National Spa Week October 28 – November 3. What better time to receive pampering than immediately prior to the hectic holiday season? The week features specials and fun additions like a glass of wine included in the package.
