Lake Tahoe Circle Tour: All-the-way-around views from Emerald Bay

One Lake, Four Shores: The 80-Mile Loop That Shows You All of Tahoe

You ride around Lake Tahoe's entire perimeter in one day, stopping at Emerald Bay for photos, driving through Cave Rock Tunnel, and breaking for lunch in Tahoe City. You also see Palisades Tahoe and hear local history from your guide, all without arranging your own transport or timing the stops yourself. The shuttle picks you up from your hotel and brings you back.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Palisades Tahoe30m
2. Lake Tahoe2h
3. Emerald Bay State Park30m

Full Lake Tahoe Circle Tour

• Visit Squaw Valley Olympic site
• Tour around Lake Tahoe
• Stop at Emerald Bay for photos
• Drive through Cave Rock Tunnel
• Lunch stop in Tahoe City
• Explore Tahoe City town
• Final stop with east shore views

The experience

The water at Emerald Bay stops you cold. Not because of the color (though it does look like someone poured liquid turquoise into a granite bowl), but because you're standing at the spot the guide says is the highlight of the whole day, and you understand why the moment you see it. This full-day Lake Tahoe circle tour covers about 80 miles all the way around the lake, and Emerald Bay is where the drive becomes a memory. You'll stop there for photos at the inspiration point, and then keep going: Truckee River Dam on one side, Logan Shoals on the other, each one a different angle on the same impossible blue.

The route takes you through places most people miss if they're just passing through. You drive through the historic Cave Rock Tunnel (a one-lane passage carved straight through the mountain in the 1930s), and then you're on the east shore looking back across the water. In the middle of the day, you get a 90-minute lunch stop in Tahoe City, the small town on the north shore where you can sit down at a restaurant like Rosie's Café or just walk the scenic trail along the water if you'd rather move around. Your guide is a local who knows the lake's history and will tell you things about it as you drive, which is the kind of detail that sticks with you longer than the view itself, even though the views are the whole reason you came.

You also visit Palisades Tahoe, the mountain village at the old Squaw Valley ski resort, the site of the 1960 Olympics, so you get the alpine side of the story too, not just the water. The whole thing runs as a full day in an air-conditioned shuttle with a maximum of 10 people per booking, which means you're not packed in with a crowd and the driver can actually stop when someone wants a photo. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if your place is on the list, so you don't have to figure out how to get to the starting point or back at the end of the day.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transport in an air-conditioned shuttle with a local guide, stops at Emerald Bay, Truckee River Dam, Logan Shoals, and Palisades Tahoe, a 90-minute lunch break in Tahoe City where you can eat at nearby restaurants, and all the stories and facts your guide shares about the lake's history along the way.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesdayDeparts at 08:00Last departure this season: 3 Nov

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (3 to 15 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 26

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Discover Lake Tahoe Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see Lake Tahoe's full perimeter in one day without renting a car or planning the stops yourself: the fixed route and small group size mean you get the main viewpoints and the local knowledge without the logistics.

Traveler reviews

4.72★★★★★★★★★★

176 verified traveler reviews

5 ★140

4 ★26

3 ★8

2 ★0

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 15 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the full Lake Tahoe circle tour?

The tour covers approximately 80 miles and runs as a full day. It includes a 90-minute lunch stop in Tahoe City, so plan for most of your day.

What are the main stops on this Lake Tahoe tour?

You stop at Emerald Bay (the highlight), Truckee River Dam, Logan Shoals, Palisades Tahoe ski resort, and Tahoe City for lunch. You also drive through the historic Cave Rock Tunnel.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for select hotels. Confirm your location when booking.

How many people go on this tour?

Groups are kept small: a maximum of 10 people per booking.

What should I bring?

Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle are recommended. The tour runs in an air-conditioned shuttle, so you'll be comfortable during the drive.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Most of the day is spent in the shuttle. Walking is optional at lunch and viewpoints.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.