A cairn found in Cohab Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park. Frank and Anne's Canyon Country Hiking and Camping Notebook.

  Campsite > Destinations > California > Lake Tahoe
  Lake Tahoe 
 
 
Campsite
Fresh Tracks
Destinations
Guide
Outbound
Campfire
Site Map
Terminology
 
 
Click for California intro.
 
Click for Nevada intro.
 
Click for California State Parks site.
 
Click for Nevada State Parks site.
 
Click for Bear info.
Lake Tahoe from the Tahoe Rim Trail, looking west.

California State Parks, Sierra District
P.O. Box 266
7360 West Lake Boulevard
Tahoma, California 96142
530-525-7232
or
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, Sand Harbor
P.O. Box 8867
2005 Highway 28
Incline Village, Nevada 89450
775-831-0494

 Topics
 Overview

Lake Tahoe is the highest lake of its size in the United States, and the largest alpine lake in North America. An average of 1,400,000 tons of water evaporates from the surface of Lake Tahoe every 24 hours, yet this drops the lake level only one-tenth of an inch. If the water that evaporates from the lake every 24 hours could be recovered, it would supply the daily requirements of a population of 3,500,000 people.

  • Lake Tahoe's water is 99% pure. The water is so clear that a 10 inch white dinner plate would be visible at 75 feet below the surface.
  • There are 63 tributaries draining into Lake Tahoe with only one outlet at the Truckee River. Lake Tahoe never freezes due to the constant mass movement of water from the bottom to the surface.
  • The Sun shines at Lake Tahoe during 75% of the year, or 274 days. At lake level, the annual snowfall averages 125 inches. At alpine skiing elevations, the snowfall averages from 300 to 500 inches each year.
Area: The lake is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide. The maximum depth of the lake is 1,645 feet, with an average depth of 989 feet. There is 72 miles of shoreline.
Elevation: The elevation of the surface of the lake is 6,229 feet above sea level.
Fees: None
Hours: N/A
Visitor Center: None
Facilities: Lake Tahoe is surrounded by several large towns and ski resorts, all with full facilities. There are several campgrounds and many miles of trails.
Directions:
Coordinates: Map Coordinates (NAD83): 39 7.06N; 120 6.16W.
Weather:
 
Click for Incline Village, Nevada Forecast
Regulations:
  • Pets are welcome at most Forest Service sites, but State parks do not allow dogs on their trails or outside of campground sites.
    • For health reasons dogs are not allowed on swimming beaches.
    • For the health and safety of your pet, as well as that of wildlife, keep pets on a leash.
    • Though you are out in the woods, don't forget to clean up after you dog.
    • Do not leave your pet in a closed car. If they must stay behind, be sure to have enough ventilation and water to ensure their safety.
  • See US Forest Service Restrictions and Regulations.
  • See Pets in the Parks and Backcountry.
  • See Encountering Wild Animals.
Precautions:
| Top |
Across Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada.
 
 
 
This page was last updated Sunday, June 7, 2009
   
 
   
 
A Canyon Country cairn.