Lake Tahoe is one of the most famous travel destinations in the United States, and for obvious reasons. The crystal clear water and famous rocky shoreline is irresistible for travelers. if you’re here for photography, your definitely in the right spot, as you will always go home with some banger photos. However, Lake Tahoe has 72 miles of shoreline, so how are you going to narrow down to where the best spots are? For this reason I have picked out my absolute favorite spots at the lake to share with you.
What is there to know about Lake Tahoe? ————————————
About 15 million people each year visit Lake Tahoe to witness its beautiful blue waters for themselves. Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, the lake itself sits at an altitude of 6,225 feet. In addition, the water is deeper than the height of the Empire State Building, leaving no doubt that Tahoe is one of the most impressive places in the US! The lake and its surrounding mountains and forests are filled with amazing photography locations, so here are the ones I recommend to you.
1. Sand Harbor
Sand Harbor is located on the north eastern shoreline of the lake, and is definitely my favorite place to shoot, with so many cool rocks popping out of the water. This area is great for the sunset, as the lighting bounces off of the rocks to give the photos a nice glow. It Is quite popular since it’s one of the few spots with parking. This is also a great spot to practice some long exposures because the ripples of waves create a nice foggy look on the water, like in the photo above. Also, feel free to climb on the rocks to find new angles and compositions, just remember to be safe!
2. Secret Cove
Located a few miles south of Sand Harbor, Secret Cove is truly a hidden gem. Everyone always goes to Sand Harbor because it’s well-known, easy to access, and has parking. Drive a few miles south of Sand Harbor, and take a short hike down to the beach of Secret Cove to find one of the most special and uncrowded parts of Lake Tahoe. In this cove, the water has a beautiful aqua color and is absolutely crystal clear. Be aware though, Secret Cove is a nude beach, so try to get there early before beach goers show up.
3. Cave Rock
Moving south down the coast, Cave Rock has an absolutely priceless view of the lake. Cave Rock is a huge boulder on the coast of the lake, with Highway 50 running straight through it, hence the name Cave Rock. This is a very popular sunset location in the summertime, people love climbing to the top to take beautiful pictures of their own. I highly recommend going all the way up to experience the view for yourself as it’s truly unforgettable. Just be careful, there are no railings at the top of the rock!
4. Emerald Bay
Emerald Bay, the most iconic location at Lake Tahoe. If you want to see the sunrise over the lake, this is exactly where you want to be. It is a small pocket of the lake surrounded by rocks and trees, located on the southwest side. Along the roadside, there is space to park and set up your tripod to catch the sun peep over the mountains. Set your camera to a small aperture to capture a sunstar when the sun appears. Get there early and be ready, the sun moves quicker than you think!
5. Eagle Falls
Eagle Falls is only a short drive from Emerald Bay, and there is plenty of space to explore for photos. Its location is perfect, you can catch the sunrise over Emerald Bay, and shoot in the beautiful golden light at Eagle Falls right after. There are a couple of waterfalls in this area, both are stunning in the morning light. Spend some time hiking around, and enjoy the beauty of this serene location.
6. Barker Pass
Going up the western side of the lake, Barker Pass is a remote location requiring some backroad adventuring. Barker Pass Road is a windy road leading up to the mountain peaks that overlook Tahoe. There is plenty of space to explore and find the perfect spot. You won’t have to worry about crowdedness due to its isolated location. The sunrise is absolutely beautiful here, so if you’re up for waking up early, seeing the sun light up the lake and the trees is totally worth seeing!
7. Wildflower Meadows
Along the west coast of the lake, there are several fields of wildflowers spread out throughout, which make for beautiful photos. They usually bloom in late May-June, so if you’re in Lake Tahoe during the summertime, be sure to make time to see the blooming lupines! These areas are also covered with aspen forests, and other amazing vegetation. Some of the aspens have awesome bear claw marks on them to make the bark look even cooler! Just keep an eye out for bears and respect the nature of the area, the forest is their home.
The beauty of Lake Tahoe truly cannot be overstated. I spent a lot of time just exploring the entire circumference of the lake, and each spot I went to blew my mind. It is the perfect spot to learn and practice landscape photography with so many spots to just wander around to find your shot. There is absolutely no doubt that this lake is one of the most beautiful places in the entire country, so if you are ever in the Northern California/Nevada area, please add it to your agenda. You won’t be disappointed!
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