Lake Tahoe is more than just your average lake. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains it offers a myriad of activities and attractions in and around the lake itself. Pick one of the nearby ski resorts and enjoy a snow-filled visit or go for a picnic by the beach. There's always something here for everyone from wooden trails and stunning lake views to Vikingsholm, a 1929 Nordic-style mansion. Be sure to download the Lake Tahoe Travel Guide and Offline Map for your lake-side adventures.
1. Van Sickle Bi-State Park
Nestled at the border of California and Nevada, the Van Sickle Bi-State Park pays tribute to Henry Van Sickle, a key member in the founding of Genoa and the surrounding areas. This public recreation area offers trails for hiking, mountain biking, and even horseback riding. You can also enjoy beautiful historical buildings, which include the historic Van Sickle farm barn, a 1917-era log cabin
2. Fannette Island
Nestled in Emerald is the only island in Lake Tahoe. Fannette Island was the home of Captain Dick Barter, the Hermit of Emerald Bay, from 1863 to 1873 thus earning it the name Hermit's Island. The eccentric captain built his own tomb and chapel on the island. Accessible by boat, canoe, or kayak you enjoy a different perspective of the lake from the granite islet. On top of the hill lie the ruins of a small stone building, the "Tea House".
3. Vikingsholm
Vikingsholm a 38-room mansion on the shore of Emerald Bay was built in 1929 by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. The Nordic-style mansion was inspired by Mrs. Knight's travels to Scandinavia and some parts of the structure contain no nails or spikes as a result of old-fashioned construction methods. Today it is now on the National Register of Historic Places while most of the building was made from materials found at Lake Tahoe.
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