Hiking and Swimming in the Blue Waters of Lake Tahoe

Your first stop will be the trailhead to Chimney Beach. A parking lot is located on east of Highway 28, across the street from the trailhead down to Chimney Beach. A stone chimney from a cabin remains at the lakeshore, which gives the beach its name. You will hike as far as the chimney to a small sandy beach where you can swim and sunbathe.

The hike to Chimney Beach is about a half-mile each way and is considered a moderate hike. There are no picnic tables or other facilities at the beach, so use the restrooms and trash cans in the parking lot. Chimney Beach is a great for getting away from the crowds at the other large public beaches.
After your hike down to the beach, you will be rewarded with scenic views of Lake Tahoe with grand trees and boulders lining the beaches. You'll find a couple of spots with sandy beaches where you can sunbathe and crystal clear waters to go swimming in! Spend extra time here to eat your picnic lunch.

You will start to make your way to Incline Village on the north side of LAke Tahoe. On the way, stop at the Tahoe East Shore Trail for more spectacular views of the lake. This paved trail is three miles long and runs closely along the lake level. You can go as short or as far as you want. There are 16 total vista points along the path where you can learn more about the geology and history of the area. It is a breathtaking trail that you don't want to miss!

You will visit one more trail before the end of the day! The incline flume trail is famous for its wildflowers and views from above overlooking the lake. This forested trail sits at 7,600 feet above Lake Tahoe, and it runs along a former commercial logging route from the 1800s.
You can still see some remnants of the operation in parts of the trail. The full trail goes nearly 13 miles south into Glenbrook. You can spend just a few miles hiking to get views of the lake and then turn back around.

After your long day of swimming and hiking, it's time to fuel up with dinner at Inclined Burgers and Brews. This quaint burger shop features the inclined burger (1/4 lb.), double inclined (1/2 lb.), veggie burger with Beyond Meat, and fried chicken sandwich. Fires, salads, and veggie baskets are also available. You can also grab a beer, wine or soft drink and sit out on their porch to enjoy your meal.

Spend the rest of your evening in Incline Village. Find a hotel or home rental to stay at such as the Pine Cone Cottage just a few blocks away from the beach.