Lookout Points

Tahoe is famous for its unparalleled views of the lake and the mountains, so make sure to take the time to look around.  And even though you probably can't help but see magnificent scenes wherever you go, you can also take a drive around the lake to visit some of the fabulous lookout points and vistas:

Starting from the Forest Service Taylor Creek Visitor Center , turn left onto SR 89 then go 100 yards to Fallen Leaf Road and turn right.

Angora Lookout

Continue two miles and turn left on Tahoe Mountain Road. After one-half mile turn right on a dirt road labeled 1214 and follow it two miles to old Angora Fire Lookout. From here you'll have a spectacular view of the Tahoe Basin.

Back track to SR 89 to:

Emerald Bay

Inspiration Point offers great views of Emerald Bay, one of the most photographed spots in the world!

Continue north on SR 89 for several more great vistas:

D.L. Bliss State Park

Enjoy the lovely beach and take the nature trail that leads to Balancing Rock.

Sugar Point Pine State Park

Take a walk through a sugar pine grove and along a beautiful lake front.

Eagle Rock

After Homewood, look for an enormous rock formation standing high on the left side of the road. Eagle Rock is the neck of an eroded volcanic plug.

Fanny Bridge

This bridge spans the Truckee River, the only outlet from Lake Tahoe. Large trout are often seen below the bridge and this attracts visitors who lean over the bridge and thus the name.

Take a left at the intersection of SR 89 & SR 28 and drive five miles towards Truckee:

Squaw Valley Aerial Tram

Enjoy the fabulous views on the way and at the top of the tram.

Return to Tahoe City and turn left on SR 28 and then left on Reservoir Drive just beyond the Biltmore Casino. Turn right at the fire station on Lakeshore Avenue and left on the Forest Service Road 1601, by the iron pipe gate.

North Stateline Lookout

Pay a visit to the former Forest Service fire lookout with one of the best views of Lake Tahoe. Enjoy the self-guided nature trail.

A short trip up SR 431:

Mount Rose Lookout

A wonderful scenic overlook.

Return to SR 28 and travel south towards HWY 50 for several more great vistas:

Sand Harbor

This Nevada State Park Beach is one of the most beautiful and easily accessible of the east shore beaches. The sand is soft and the waters are crystal clear.

Logan Shoals

Logan Shoals offers a pretty vista across the lake where you can see the broad u-shaped valleys carved out of glaciers, such as Emerald Bay.

Cave Rock

HWY 50 goes right through Cave Rock, a huge rock formation that is the neck of an old volcano. The name comes from the small caves on the west side, cut by waves when the lake was 140 feet higher during the ice age. Cave Rock is also a spiritual site of the regions earliest residents, the Washoe Indian Tribe.