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Free Traveling Guides » States » Nevada » Greater NevadaLake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a large, stunning lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This beautiful freshwater lake is situated to the west of Carson City, Nevada, along the border between California and Nevada. It attracts thousands of visitors every year. The Lake is well known for its clear blue water as well as for the panoramic beauty of the mountains that surround the Lake on all sides. It is believed that Lake Tahoe was landscaped millions of years ago by the scouring glaciers during the Ice Ages. This Lake is drained only by the famous Truckee River. Jeffery pine, Lodge pole pine, red fir, white fir, dry meadows, wet meadows, mountain alder, and brush fields dominated the surrounding mixed Conifer forest.
Lake Tahoe is nearly 22 miles (35.4 km) long, 12 miles (19.3 km) wide, and over 1,645 ft (501.4 m) deep. It is not only the second deepest lake in the United States but is also the 15th deepest lake in the entire World. Tahoe City, California is situated on the northwest shore of the Lake while South Lake Tahoe, California and Stateline, Nevada are the two major cities on the south shore. A significant portion of the shoreline is a part of the State Parks and is maintained by the United States Forest Service.
Tahoe, the area surrounding the lake, is also home to a number of summer outdoor recreation, restaurants, casinos, ski resorts, and tourist attractions. The main ski resorts in the area include the Heavenly Mountain Resort, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Kirkwood Mountain resort, etc. Most of the resorts are located on the northern shore except the Kirkwood Mountain Resort and the Heavenly Mountain resort, which lie on the Southern shore. Snow tubing, snowshoeing, and snowmobile riding are the other favorite winter sports in the area surrounding Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe is also famous for water sports and beach activities during late spring to early fall. Great opportunities for hiking, camping, and biking are provided at the Desolation Wilderness, Tahoe Rim trail, and the Eagle Lake Trailhead. Gambling has also been made legal on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. The spectacular Lake Tahoe can be reached from the Sacramento area via U.S. Route 50 or via a small route on Interstate 80 that goes over Donner Pass and through Truckee and then on to Reno.
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