Skip to ContentLake Tahoe is 1,645 feet deep at its deepest, about 191 square miles on the surface and ringed by beaches, state parks and ski areas on both the California and Nevada shores. Start here, then pick a shore.
Checked November 2, 2026. Dates, prices and hours change; the official page wins.
- 1,645 ftmaximum depth (UC Davis, USGS)
- 191 mi2surface area (UC Davis)
- 75 miapprox. shoreline (UC Davis)
- 17ski and snow areas on this site
The Lake in Numbers
- DepthMaximum 1,645 feet (501 m), second deepest lake in the United States; average about 1,000 feet (UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center and the USGS Lake Tahoe Hydro Mapper page).
- SizeSurface area about 191 square miles (495 km2); about 22 miles long and 12 miles wide; shoreline about 75 miles, varying with lake level (UC Davis TERC).
- VolumeAbout 39 trillion gallons, plus or minus (UC Davis TERC). Wikipedia gives conflicting volume figures, so we use TERC’s.
- BasinWatershed area 312 square miles; 63 inflowing streams, the largest the Upper Truckee River; the lake is also a reservoir because of the dam at Tahoe City (UC Davis TERC).
- ElevationAbout 6,225 feet according to Wikipedia; not confirmed on an official page we read.
- OriginFormed over 3 to 4 million years by faulting, volcanic activity and glaciation (UC Davis TERC).
Other USGS publications give slightly different depth and area figures depending on the year and method, so all of these are approximate.
Shores and Beaches
Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm
Fannette Island, a Scandinavian-style castle and a steep trail down.
West shore, CA
Sand Harbor
Nevada State Park beach on the east shore, home of the summer Shakespeare festival.
East shore, NV
Zephyr Cove
Resort, cabins, cruises and a long beach near Stateline.
East shore, NV
Tahoe City
The Truckee River outlet, Commons Beach and the dam.
North shore, CA
Kings Beach
A day-use state recreation area on the north shore.
North shore, CA
Incline Village
Beaches here are restricted to local pass holders; public options are nearby.
North shore, NV
Ski Country
Many of our seventeen ski and snow areas sit in the Tahoe Basin or beside it. Compare them on the Tahoe ski hub. The biggest are Palisades Tahoe, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood.
Tahoe Rim Trail
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association describes a 165-mile thru-hiking trail for hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and bikepackers; bikes are not allowed in designated wilderness segments. Wikipedia gives its high point as Relay Peak, 10,338 feet. The Association’s page notes a trail closure from Barker Pass to the Twin Peaks junction because of the Talbot Fire; check tahoerimtrail.org before hiking.
The Washoe
The lake’s name comes from the Washoe language, according to Wikipedia. We have not read the Washoe Tribe’s own public website for this guide, so we say nothing more about the tribe here. We do not contact tribes.
Legends And Lore
Stories people tell about this place, each labelled and checked against the record.
- Tahoe Tessie, The Lake Tahoe MonsterLegend. A long dark creature in Lake Tahoe. The modern name dates to 1975, and no one has produced a photo or a body.
- Lake Tahoe’s Cold-Water MythsHalf true. Bottomless? Bodies never float? Bodies never decay? The lake’s real depth and temperature, from UC Davis and the Forest Service.
On The Map
What We Could Not Confirm
These items were not read on an official page when we checked, so we do not state them as fact. Who can confirm each one is named.
- Lake elevation and the number of days it clears each year on an official page (USGS or the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency).
- Beach fees at Incline Village for non-residents beyond IVGID’s guest rates.
- The Washoe Tribe’s own account of the lake (washoetribe.us).
More to Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep is Lake Tahoe?
The maximum is 1,645 feet by UC Davis TERC and the USGS Hydro Mapper page; the average is about 1,000 feet.
Is Lake Tahoe in California or Nevada?
Both. Emerald Bay and Tahoe City are in California; Sand Harbor, Zephyr Cove and Incline Village are in Nevada.
Sources
- UC Davis TERC: Tahoe Facts and Trivia
- USGS: Lake Tahoe Hydro Mapper
- Tahoe Rim Trail Association (official)
- Wikipedia: Lake Tahoe (secondary, elevation)
Cite this page: It’s Reno editorial team, “Lake Tahoe,” itsreno.com, checked November 2, 2026.
Events in The Next 45 Days
Mt. Rose Opening Day
Fri, Nov 6 · 9:00 AM (Lakeview chair)
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe · Lake Tahoe
The mountain's page says it is open this Friday, November 6, with the Lakeview chair at 9:00 am. Winter lift hours run 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Price: See event page
Not confirmed: The page prints no year. Lift operations can change with weather, the mountain says.
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 2, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Veterans Cruise
Wed, Nov 11 · 12:00 PM
Zephyr Cove Resort · Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe paddlewheel cruise listed by the resort as free for all veterans and active military. Price: Free for veterans and active military (as titled)
Not confirmed: The page prints no year; the dates are read as 2026 because the weekday matches and the page was read in early November 2026. The dollar price for others was not shown.
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 2, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Heavenly Opening Day
Fri, Nov 20
Heavenly Mountain Resort · Lake Tahoe
The resort's homepage announces Opening Day on Nov 20. Price: See event page
Not confirmed: The page prints no year (it mentions the 2026/27 winter). Opening depends on conditions.
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 2, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Palisades Tahoe Opening Day
Wed, Nov 25 · 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Palisades Tahoe · Lake Tahoe
Opening day for the 2026-27 season; lifts and terrain depend on weather and conditions. Price: See event page
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 4, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Thanksgiving Day Cruise
Thu, Nov 26 · 4:00 PM
Zephyr Cove Resort · Lake Tahoe
Thanksgiving Day paddlewheel cruise on Lake Tahoe from the Nevada shore. Price: See event page
Not confirmed: The page prints no year; the dates are read as 2026 because the weekday matches and the page was read in early November 2026.
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 2, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Kirkwood Opening Day 2026-27
Fri, Dec 4
Kirkwood Mountain Resort · Lake Tahoe
The resort's page says "Opening Day December 4!"; opening depends on weather and snow. Price: See event page
Not confirmed: Address, times and price are not stated on the resort page.
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 4, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Heavenly Season Kick Off Party
Sat, Dec 19
Heavenly Mountain Resort · Lake Tahoe
The resort's page mentions a season kick off party with DJ Cat. Price: See event page
Not confirmed: The time and location are not given on the resort page.
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 4, 2026 on the organizer’s page
Santa Cruise
Sat, Dec 19 · 12:00 PM
Zephyr Cove Resort · Lake Tahoe
Holiday paddlewheel cruise on Lake Tahoe. Price: See event page
Not confirmed: The page prints no year; the dates are read as 2026 because the weekday matches and the page was read in early November 2026.
Add to Calendar: Google Apple (.ics) Outlook 365 Outlook.com Checked Nov 2, 2026 on the organizer’s page
8 events listed here, read on 5 organizer and venue websites. Every row shows the day we checked it. Dates change: check the organizer’s page before you go, and tell us if something is wrong.