14 Ideas for Enjoying Lake Tahoe with Children

#1 Trout Farm
In South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Trout Farm offers free admission, bait and tackle, no license, no limit and payment for catches only. Sawmill Pond is a fishing hole for children only, located on Lake Tahoe Boulevard at Sawmill Road.

#2 Visitor Center
The U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center, located on Highway 89 three miles north of South Lake Tahoe, offers a variety of activities, many perfect for children. Self-guided trails and a stream profile chamber are near the Center, and a program called "Woodsy Rangers" is presented each day for the children. The Visitors Center is open from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm during the summer months.

#3 Tennis
Tennis courts are at Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley, Kilner Park is located 3.5 miles south of Tahoe City on the corner of Highway 89 and Ward Ave., Hellman-Ehrman Mansion tennis courts at Sugar Pine Point State Park, Truckee River Regional Park (also ball fields, picnic areas, a rodeo arena, nature trail, volleyball and basketball courts, amphitheater, tot lot, skateboard park, disc golf, and playground), Northstar Tennis in Truckee at 2200 N. Village Dr., and Incline Village Tennis Center, 964 Incline Way.

#4 Bicycle
Peddle along one of Tahoe's many bike paths. Bicycling is a good outing for the whole family. If you left your own bikes behind, many local shops rent them, along with child seats, including the bike paths you will find on Emerald Bay Road, on Highway 50 near Regan Beach, and on Highway 50 near the grocery store in South Lake Tahoe.

#5 Tahoe Tram
A tram ride is exciting for the whole family! Palisades Tahoe tram can whisk you and your little ones up to the 8200 feet High Camp, where you can gaze out over Lake Tahoe, even have lunch at the High Camp restaurants. On the South Shore, Heavenly's tram carries you on a mile-long excursion up to 8250 feet, where you can grab some munchies at the Top of the Tram. It's here you'll enjoy some of the most breathtaking views of majestic Lake Tahoe and the Sierras.

#6 The Gondola
Everyone in the family, from children to grands, will enjoy the grand view of Lake Tahoe from Heavenly's Scenic Gondola Ride. You can embark on the Gondola in the Heavenly Village. It's a nearly 2 1/2 mile ride up the mountain, and you can stop at the Observation Deck for panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains. Purchase your tickets at Heavenly Village Ticket Office at the bottom of the mountain and in town near Lake Tahoe Blvd. Gondola rides are subject to availablility, so check or give a call perhaps the day prior to your planned ride. The Gondola usually operates on a daily basis from 10:00am to 4:00pm, and the ticket office is usually open from 9:30am to 5:00pm.

#7 Fanny Bridge
Children of all ages enjoy leaning over Fanny Bridge at the Tahoe City "Y" and spotting the giant trout in the water there. Take some bread and feed the fish.

#8 Mini Golf
Magic Carpet Miniature Golf, is located on Highway 50 (toward the "Y") 2455 Lake Tahoe Blvd. (530) 541-3787 , 66 holes in all, a 28-hole course and two 19-hole courses, plus a good size arcade. Cost varies according to course and time played. Hours are 10AM to 10PM, weather permitting.

#9 Giant Slide
Lake Tahoe Amusement Park is next to Magic Carpet in South Lake Tahoe. Open from 11 am to 10 pm, $1.00 buys a ride on every attraction except the Giant Slide and Bumper Cars. The slide is $1.50 for 20 minutes. (530) 541-1300. 2401 Lake Tahoe Blvd., So. Lake Tahoe.

#10 Horseback
Horseback riding is fun at Camp Richardson Stables, located on Highway 89. Breakfast and steak dinner rides include a delicious meal on the shores of Fallen Leaf lake. Fun for the entire family. Cost of the trail ride was $16.00 last we heard. The breakfast ride was $28.50, approximately 2.5 hours. The 3-hour dinner ride was $29.50. Children must be 6 years old to ride. Guided tours for children available. Parents need not be present, but must sign a consent form. Reservations required. Call ahead. Also, there's horseback riding at Zephyr Cove Stables, open from 9 am to 6 pm, is located on Highway 50 just past the M.S. Dixie II boat dock. Guided trails on U.S. Forest Service lands. Children must be at least 7 years of age.

#11 Youth Hikes
City of South Lake Tahoe's Parks and Recreation Department is a good source of inexpensive activities organized for children., such as Youth Summer Day Hikes that introduce your child to practical outdoor skills while having fun. Call South Lake Tahoe (530) 542-6055 or Douglas County (775) 586-7271.

#12 Swimming
Public beaches on the South Shore are: Nevada Beach, El Dorado Beach, Regan Beach, Pope Beach, Kiva Beach and Baldwin Beach. There are paddleboat, jet ski and other water toy rentals available at area marinas including Camp Richardson Anchorage Marina, off Emerald Bay Road, Ski Run Marina, just off Highway 50 at the lake end of Ski Run Boulevard, Timber Cove Marina, behind the Timber Cove Lodge on Highway 50, and Zephyr Cove Marina, four miles past the casinos on the Nevada side.

#13 Bowling
Tahoe Bowl bowling is open from 2 to 11 pm, located on Fremont Avenue in South Lake Tahoe.

#14 Monsters!
Tessie's Lake Tahoe Monster Museum and Toy Shop is located at Kings Beach, and it features a video arcade, snack bar, toy store and free admission into the museum.

For More Children's Activities