This 13- mile bike ride has an elevation gain of 1,850ft and takes you up the east shore of Lake Tahoe from Spooner Lake to Ponderosa Ranch. This scenic ride offers stunning lake and mountain views along the way. We recommend stopping for lunch at Marlette Lake, which is about 4.5 miles down the trail from Spooner Lake. Marlette Lake is also a good fishing spot, so if you feel so inclined strap a fishing rod to your backpack while biking the flume trail. There is no need for a second car, either! Once you reach Ponderosa Ranch, they have a shuttle service, which will bring you back to your car at Spooner Lake for $15, or $10 if you rent a bike from Flume Trail Bikes. For more information on The Flume Trail and the Flume Trail shuttle service, click on the link below.

Best Time: May-November

Flume Trail Information and Shuttle Service 

Our Suggestion: Go as early as possible in the morning to avoid the crowd

Best Time: June-August

Directions to Upper Truckee Launch

Directions to Bijou Community Park

2013 South Lake Tahoe Derby Dames Schedule

Looking for something new? Standup Paddle Boarding is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to get out on the water to try it. Surrounded by mountains on the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe, this family friendly activity is great for all ages, and also provides a great full body workout while being extremely relaxing at the same time. For more information, check out the Tahoe Water Trail Association or head on over to our good friends at South Tahoe Standup Paddle. They will give you all of the information you need to know and get you out on the water in no time!

Best Time: April-November

Tahoe Water Trail Association
South Tahoe Standup Paddle 

Saddle up, travelers!
If you’re looking for something different to do while you’re exploring Tahoe, you could try horseback riding. There are numerous trails and stables in the area that offer guided tours anywhere from 30 minutes, to multiple hours. Horseback riding is good for both kids and adults, and is a great alternative way to explore the Lake Tahoe area. Though there are a few places right in town, we HIGHLY recommend R&D Ranch in Carson City. Wrangler Rich will take you out on a multiple hour trip where he lets you run the horses as fast as you want. None of the boring nose- to- tail single file lines you may be used to. Also, make sure to ask about pairing that with his wild mustang ATV tour. Wrangler Rich and R&D Ranch will provide you with a one of a kind experience. Contact us at Basecamp for more details.

Open All Year Round!

General Information
Directions to R&D Ranch

Looking for an easy, 1-mile scenic hike to the beautiful Nevada Beach? Look no further than the Lam Watah Hiking Trail, located just 1 mile from Basecamp Hotel. The trail is U.S. Forest Service-protected; it meanders through the Rabe Meadow and pine forests before ending at Nevada Beach. It even has plaques along the way explaining key historical points about the area.

Nevada Beach is not only one of the longest (about .7 miles), but the widest beach Tahoe has to offer. It is partially pet-friendly, and has bathroom facilities, as it is also a campground from May – October. The beach also offers BBQ pits to its visitors, paddle boat rentals, and stunning views of the entire lake.

Insider’s Tip: Dogs are allowed on the south side of the beach only, right at the end of the Lam Watah trail. Also, parking is free at the beginning of Lam Watah trail. (It is $7.00 to park at Nevada Beach for the day.)

Directions to Lam Watah Trail

Best Time: May-October

Bijou Park Course Information

Zephyr Cove Park Course Information

This fun filled event includes fly bys of several vintage warbirds including the legendary P-51 mustang and many other Army, Navy, and Marine Corp aircrafts. You can also check out demonstrations of equipment used by fire rescue, US coast guard, and local search and rescue teams. All of the fun begins on Friday, August 23rd with the Pre-Flight party.

When: August 23rd-25th, 2013

Directions to Lake Tahoe Airport

Lake in the Sky Air Show General Info

Our Suggestion: Beat the crowds and go before the weekend to catch the practice rounds. Tickets are cheaper and you’ll have a better chance of meeting your favorite celebrities.

When: July 16^th- 21st

Directions to Edgewood Golf Course

Tickets and General Information

Greetings Explorers!
Early fall is when the Kokanee Salmon start spawning down at Taylor Creek. It’s just a short beautiful hike down the rainbow trail where you can see hundreds of red Kokanee Salmon swimming up the creek preparing to spawn. This beautiful landscape features a half a mile paved trail through the Taylor Creek wetlands and aspen trees that also includes an underwater viewing area of the creek, which is great for all ages. This is one of our favorite things to do during the fall season so we suggest you head on down to Taylor Creek and enjoy this natural wonder. Don’t forget to bring your camera either because the salmon attracts the black bears out of the woods for winter preparation. Remember that these are wild and potentially dangerous animals so please enjoy from a distance and use proceed down the trail with caution.

Best Time: Late September – October

Our Suggestion: To maximize your chances of seeing a bear, early morning and just before dusk are the times the bears like to feed on the salmon.

Directions to Taylor Creek

Salmon Spawn Video Footage