Incline Village is truly a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts and summer is a great time to visit Lake Tahoe. Because of its location at lake level, the summer temperatures in Incline Village are typically 10-15 degrees cooler than Reno, making it a great place to beat the heat. Whether you want to enjoy the beautiful waters of Lake Tahoe from the shore or hike to sweeping viewpoints, Incline Village is close to it all.

Getting on the water is a no-brainer in the summer months when you visit Lake Tahoe. You can rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak and explore the granite-lined shore. Paddle to the perfect cove, tucked away from the crowds, to relax on the beach or jump in the crystal clear water. And it isn’t a summer vacation at Lake Tahoe without a visit to Sand Harbor, the breathtaking sandy beach peppered with Tahoe’s iconic granite boulders.

 

Hiking is just one of the many things to do in near Incline Village during spring, summer and fall, with plenty of trailheads within a short drive of town. A fairly easy hike that’s quite popular is Monkey Rock. You’ll start your hike at Tunnel Creek Café and follow the trail for about two miles before looking for the famous monkey-shaped rock that’s the hike’s namesake. The Tahoe East Shore Trail also starts at Tunnel Creek Café and takes you all the way to Sand Harbor. This trail is paved, with parking near the café and amenities such as restrooms, benches and bike service stations along the way. Even though this path is mellow, it delivers views of the lake along the entire three-mile distance.

For those looking for a longer day of hiking with dramatic views of the lake, the Tahoe Rim Trail and Flume Trail are both easily accessed near Incline Village. The Tahoe Rim Trail circumnavigates Lake Tahoe and ambitious backpackers hike the entire 165-mile trail in its entirety, but there are many sections perfect for day hikes.

Jumping in the water and hiking to mountain peaks are great ways to spend a summer day, but we know you might also want to hit the links for a few rounds of golf. And who can blame you when there are two incredible golf courses right in town? The Championship Golf Course at Incline Village, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. course, is known for its challenging design, elevation changes and pristine conditions. The Mountain Golf Course at Incline Village is a par-58 course with a laid-back atmosphere and a quicker round of golf. Both are set idyllically in the pine trees with views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada.