Facts & Figures
Lake Tahoe is a national treasure boasting a rich and colorful history. Today the region still retains its pioneer charm while displaying an ancient respect for nature. While 24-hour casino gaming, lively nightlife entertainment, mountain resorts and incredible outdoor adventure draw millions of guests each year, the area’s main attraction continues to be the restful silence of the wilderness and timeless beauty of the Lake.
With an abundance of natural resources, ranging from silver and timber-rich forests to naturally rugged cliffs, steep mountain terrain and crystal-clear inviting water, Lake Tahoe has always been an attraction for tourists and settlers alike.
- At 1,645 feet, Lake Tahoe is the nation’s second deepest lake and tenth deepest in the world.
- Surface elevation at the Lake is 6,225 feet.
- Lake Tahoe is about 22 miles long and 12 miles wide.
- Water clarity has decreased from over 100 feet in the 1960s to about 70 feet today. A 2009 report based on 8 years of testing has shown a stabilization in lake clarity.
- Average annual precipitation varies from over 55 inches in western watersheds to about 26 inches on the eastern shores.
- 71 stunning miles of shoreline encircle the lake.
- Lake Tahoe has played a supporting role in many television and film productions, including Bonanza and The Godfather Part II.
- Lake Tahoe never freezes.
Beyond the Pretty Blue Lake: The Tahoe Lifestyle
Mark Twain once called Lake Tahoe the “fairest picture the whole earth affords.”
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Lake Tahoe Summer Camps
Lake Tahoe is full of unique camps that are oriented around the activities that your children enjoy, like hockey, music, backcountry trails, family camps, 4H, pottery and more.
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Lake Tahoe History
John Fremont sighted Tahoe while making his way west, marking Tahoe as a crossing-over point in the Sierras for explorers, settlers and revelers.
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Lake Tahoe’s Famous Vikingsholm
In 1929 Mrs. Knight commissioned Swedish architect, Lennart Palme to build Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay. It’s considered to be one of the best examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States.
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Lake Tahoe Regions and Cities Map
Use this map to learn the names and locations of areas around the Lake Tahoe basin.
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Pet-friendly Accommodations in Lake Tahoe
We love pets up here at Lake Tahoe! And pets love Tahoe, where there are plenty of critters to chase, water to swim in and trees to—sniff.
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Lake Tahoe Boating Rules and Regulations
Taking a boat out onto the glistening waters of Lake Tahoe exhilarates and thrills, and comes with a few rules and regulations to keep the experience pleasurable for everyone on the lake.
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Quirky Lake Tahoe Stories
Tahoe is anything but ordinary. Wonder what the off-the-record version of Tahoe history looks like? Read on.
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What’s the General Weather Like in Lake Tahoe?
Lake Tahoe weather is a bit extreme, since the lake is in an alpine setting, ranging from the high 90s at the peak of a hot summer day to well below freezing as the snow pack increases.
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Cut Your Own Christmas Tree in Lake Tahoe
Make a fun family trek into the Tahoe wilderness for a freshly-cut Christmas tree. There is nothing better during the holiday season than that smell of fresh pine.
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’10-’11: A Winter Season to Remember
There’s a reason they call it the Sierra Nevada (Spanish for snowy range). The winter of 2010-2011 gave us record breaking snow fall.
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Famous Tahoe Residents
You’re not the only one who wants to live here. You might be surprised to find out that some of your favorite sports legends, musicians, comedians, and other paparazzi-prized performers have a stake in Lake Tahoe.
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