Blue as a topaz and encircled by majestic peaks, the massive 太浩湖 straddles the California-Nevada border and is a bucket-list essential. The 22-mile-long lake can fill a record book with its statistics: It’s the 10th deepest lake in the world, 在美国排名第二.S. after Crater Lake, and boasts 72 miles of shoreline. It’s also one of the purest lakes in the world, with 99.99 percent purity, roughly the same as distilled water.

But of course, it’s not Tahoe’s numbers that one remembers after a visit. 它的景色. An osprey diving into a ripple-less cove, a black bear drinking water at the lake’s edge, 夕阳在后面徘徊 山Tallac, a rosy-pink alpenglow lighting up snow-covered slopes. One look around—especially from drop-dead-gorgeous overlooks like Inspiration Point above 翡翠湾州立公园—and it’s easy to see why travelers have been flocking to 太浩湖 since the California Gold Rush. 值得庆幸的是, the locals take seriously the goal of preserving it all for future generations to enjoy—before visiting, 请务必阅读该地区的报告 提示 on how to experience it in a sustainable way.

Summer is Tahoe’s busiest season, when mountain-lovers hike the 太浩Rim小道, pedal along the lake’s paved bike trails, and strap on backpacks to explore the granite wonderland of 荒凉的荒野. Climbers (and those new to climbing) can also experience the 通过Ferrata太浩, an assisted climbing activity that transforms previously complex and nearly impassable terrain into a course that’s safe for anyone to try.

6月, 当湖边的野花盛开的时候, 水上玩具也一样:帆船, 单口paddleboards, 皮艇, 几乎所有能漂浮的东西第1版滨 even offers the first on-the-water electric boat (EB) charging station on 太浩湖. 湖边的户外用品商提供 paddleboarding and kayaking tours for all levels, plus rentals for do-it-yourselfers. 特拉基’s 太浩探险公司 引导满月桨，还有 太浩城Kayak 提供日落皮艇游. 如果你是一个有经验的划船手, it’s not hard to find a launching site—choose from 30 around the lake, 那就跳上去吧.

For leisurely water fun—almost no paddling required—grab an inner tube or raft and float the 特拉基 River. 以租借装备开始新的一天 太浩城 从体育用品 特拉基河漂流 or 特拉基河筏公司. Then bob your way downstream over a blissful five miles to 河农场小屋, an 1888 stone-and-timber inn and tavern that serves nachos and salads with a riverfront view. This rafting trip doesn’t deliver whitewater thrills—just quiet pools, 寒冷的游泳洞, and plenty of opportunities for trailing your fingers in the water.

Small towns dot Tahoe’s shoreline, offering year-round charm. 在北岸， 国王海滩 穿着一种悠闲放松的氛围, especially on summer days when families and friends populate the sun-drenched sand at 国王海滩州休闲区. 看着你的孩子堆沙堡, or just throw down a beach towel and rip through that novel you’ve been meaning to read. Dozens of family-run motels and casual eateries make it possible to spend your entire vacation in this beach town and never wipe the sand off your feet.

If winter is your season, Tahoe has you covered with more than a dozen alpine resorts. 把它分给那些重量级人物天上的, 太浩栅栏 (formerly Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows), 北极星—or skip over to smaller, more intimate ski hills like 第1版 or 唐纳滑雪牧场. The fluffy white stuff usually starts falling in late November, 在一些年里, 春天的冰雪融化推迟到六月.

Even if you don’t ski or board, Tahoe’s non-skiing活动 让雪天变得有趣:滑索, 内胎运行, 风景优美的乘, 打扮的溜冰场, 雪地鞋和雪地摩托步道, and a party-like atmosphere on and off the slopes. 举个例子: 太浩朗姆酒小道, which celebrates what is considered by many to be the official libation of the area. 参观这条路线的六个地点, 其中许多可以乘船前往, and each with its own house rum punch or cocktail.

在冬天, remember to pay attention to road conditions: Chains, 全轮驱动, 或者经常需要雪地轮胎, 一些暴风雨可能会关闭道路. 检查 加州运输局网站 当前更新.