Overnight Trips

A guide to lake shore lodging and campgrounds along 7 mapped routes

One of the more exciting adventures is spending a few days and nights on an extended paddle trip. Most paddlers spend a night or two camping under the stars at developed campgrounds along the Water Trail.

And some enjoy a fine meal and a warm bed at a lake shore lodge. The Lake Tahoe Water Trail has it all!

Where to Stay

The Overnight Trip Map below works with our 7 Day Trip Maps so you can find campgrounds and lodges accessible from the lake and approximate the distances between them. Follow the links to make a reservation before you arrive, particularly for the June – August period. Consider scheduling your trip during September or early October; the weather is still warm and the lake and overnight accommodations are less crowded. Need more help? Contact one of our paddle outfitters or shops! Always plan your overnight stay based on weather forecasts, have backup support (rides to drop off points and frequent check-ins for safety purposes), file a Float Plan with friends and/or family, and be safe.

Before you launch at Tahoe, all watercraft and gear must be Cleaned, Drained and Dry to prevent Aquatic Invasive Species. Self inspecting and decontaminating your gear is easy and free. Learn how by becoming a Tahoe Keeper.

Camping

No camping is allowed on undeveloped shorelines at Lake Tahoe! You must camp at a designated campground. Fires are only allowed in designated campgrounds. You can find 13 campgrounds on our Map page or check the status at the USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit website.

Lakeshore Lodging Properties

Several of our lakeshore lodging properties cater to kayakers and paddle boarders who want to plan an extended trip on the Lake Tahoe Water Trail. The Overnight Trip map highlights properties so you can plan a personal paddle trip experience with just the right amount of adventure, relaxation, and pampering you desire. Some properties may let you arrange for overnight parking if you stay a few nights.

A Word about Circumnavigation

Only a few expert kayakers complete the 72 miles due to challenging conditions. Read how these highly skilled paddlers circumnavigated the lake like this group who provided details from their circumnavigation trip in 2008. You can also learn from these two kayakers who completed the circumnavigation in September 2016 who provide their details kayaking counter-clockwise.