Kayaking in Lake Tahoe & Beyond
Spots, Tours, Tips & More
Kayaking is an exciting sport that tests strength, patience and your sense of adventure – and it’s a great way to explore the crystal clear waters of the rivers and lakes around Reno Tahoe.
Kayaking Lake Tahoe
Spots for Kayaking in Lake Tahoe
You can find 20 public launch sites along Lake Tahoe’s 72 miles of shoreline. Some of the best places to launch your kayak include:
- Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
- Carnelian Bay
- Kings Beach
- D.L Bliss State Park
Sand Harbor and Crystal Bay
Sand Harbor and Crystal Bay offer secluded beaches and stunning rock formations that are great for picnics and quick rests.
Carnelian Bay
You can take in picturesque views of Carnelian Bay from the point at which California and Nevada meet, so you can be in two places at once!
Kings Beach and Incline Village
For an easier jaunt, make your way around to Kings Beach and Incline Village where the north shore offers various launch areas.
D.L. Bliss State Park and Rubicon Point
D.L. Bliss State Park and Rubicon Point are great choices for intermediate paddlers. The inlets provide gorgeous beaches and calm lapping water. The area is often photographed due to the brilliant blues, greens and turquoise colors of Meeks Bay and Rubicon Bay.
Advanced Kayaking Routes in Lake Tahoe
For more advanced kayakers who are ready to experience even more of Lake Tahoe, check out the Lake Tahoe Water Trail. This lake trail takes you around the entire 72-mile plus expanse of Lake Tahoe, but it’s broken down into seven segments. Don’t forget to check the Lake Tahoe marine forecast before launch, conditions can always change!
Reno Kayaking
Expand your Reno kayaking adventure by exploring a diverse range of routes and activities.
Truckee River Whitewater Park
The Truckee River Whitewater Park is in the heart of downtown Reno and home to the Reno River Festival every spring. With 11 drop pools and dynamic features, this year-round whitewater park offers excitement for kayakers and onlookers alike.
Sierra Adventures
Whether you’ve been kayaking for a while or you’re new to the sport and interested in learning, kayak lessons and clinics are offered by Sierra Adventures, for both river and flat-water kayaking. Depending on your level of kayak experience, Sierra Adventures offers:
- Lessons for all levels
- Introduction of gear, kayak paddle strokes and safety precautions
- Teaches advanced skills such as rolls, assisted rescue, open water safety and more
Kayaking Tours
While you can do a self-guided kayaking tour, many companies in the area offer guided excursions that make the experience stress-free.
Tahoe Whitewater Tours
Tahoe Whitewater Tours has been in business for more than 20 years. They offer kayak tours and rentals, as well as whitewater rafting on the Truckee River from the west shore for those looking for a more intense ride.
Clearly Tahoe
Clearly Tahoe offers a variety of kayaking tours that showcase the beauty of Lake Tahoe from iconic spots like Emerald Bay and Bonsai Rock. You can book a tour based on duration, difficulty, and experience level to find your perfect fit. For a truly unique adventure, be sure to check out their LED Stargazing and Dusk LED Glow night tours, which illuminate the water beneath your clear kayak as the stars come out.
Tahoe Adventure Company
Tahoe Adventure Company located on the west shore offers diverse tours including kayaking, standup paddleboarding, and multi-activity combos like kayaking and sailing or kayaking and hiking. These tours allow you to indulge in the beauty of Lake Tahoe by both cruising the crystal-clear water and trekking through the surrounding mountains.
Tahoe City Kayak & Paddleboard
Tahoe City Kayak & Paddleboard, also located on the west shore, has been offering tours since 1997. You can book excursions based on your preferred duration and choose between single or double kayaks. Their location offers easy access to free parking, taking the hassle out of traveling during busy summer days.
Where to Get Kayak Rentals and Gear
Lake Tahoe and Reno kayak rental companies offer a variety of kayaks for rent, depending on your experience and where you plan to paddle.
Lake Tahoe Kayaking Rental Locations
In Lake Tahoe, you can rent a kayak from Sand Harbor and check out the gorgeous expanse of smooth granite rocks and breathtaking scenery of the east shore.
If you’re heading towards North Lake Tahoe, check out:
Clearly Tahoe, Wild Society, Tahoe Paddle Sports have one of the most unique ways to view Lake Tahoe—clear kayaks. While the clarity of the lake is unlike any other, the clear kayaks help you truly take in the depth of this incredible alpine lake.
With an awesome staff, full-service rental shop and quick exchanges, these local shops will put you out on the lake in no time.
Reno Kayak Rentals Locations
For rental locations in Reno, check out:
These businesses are close to the Truckee River and Sparks Marina, and offer a breadth of knowledge when it comes to finding the best spots on the Truckee, as well as places that may be too difficult to navigate.
Kayaking Tips
To make your adventure as smooth as possible, it is important to understand the gear, the local environment, and the safety regulations of the Reno-Tahoe region.
Choosing the Right Kayak
- Sit-on-top kayaks: These place the paddler in an open, shallowly-concave deck above the water.
- Cockpit-style kayaks: The paddler sits with legs and hips inside the kayak hull, often using a "spray deck" or "spray skirt" to create a water-resistant seal around the waist.
- Inflatables: A low-key hybrid of both styles, these sport an open deck, but the paddler sits below the level of the deck.
- Single vs. Double: Single kayaks are the usual choice for water adventures, but you can make it a team sport with double kayaks making the kayak enough room for two people.
Stability and Safety
The size and shape of your kayak will vary depending on what water you’re on. Because you’ll be kayaking on Lake Tahoe or the Truckee River, consider these tips:
- Go wide: Opt for a wider boat that allows you to sit on top of it. If you decide to go for a dip once you get to the middle of the lake, or if you get flipped out onto the Truckee, wider boats are easier to get back in and out of.
- Managing conditions: The water may get a little choppy, but if you’re with an experienced guide or friend and want to get on the water in South Lake Tahoe, you should go for it.
Protecting the Reno Tahoe Ecosystem
Before launching in Lake Tahoe, you must make sure your kayak is free from Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS).
There are four Tahoe Boat Inspection Stations in Meyers, Alpine Meadows, Truckee and Spooner Summit that will decontaminate your kayak for free if it has been in contact with an AIS-infected water body.
Renting your kayaking allows you to avoid the hassle of inspecting and decontamination all together.
Best Time to Go Kayaking
There’s no bad time to head to Reno Tahoe, as you’ll see people kayaking all year round! However, the best time to visit depends on the type of water experience you are looking for.
Seasonal Highlights by Location
Lake Tahoe (Peak Month: August): If you’re wondering when the best time is to go to Lake Tahoe for kayaking, we’d say August. The water is at its warmest, allowing you to hop out of your kayak for a mid-afternoon swim or a relaxing doze on the beach.
Truckee River (Season Starts: April): On the Truckee River, whitewater kayak poles are set up in the Truckee River Whitewater Park starting in April. By summer, the Reno Riverwalk is buzzing with kayakers, tubers, paddleboarders, and more!