What to Pack for Lake Tahoe in Summer

Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places on earth and a favorite destination for women over 50 and outdoor enthusiasts. Tourists and locals love to spend the day swimming and doing different water activities on its beaches. 

If you are planning your next trip to Lake Tahoe and are uncertain of what to bring, we’ve got you covered! Let’s talk about what to pack for Lake Tahoe in summer to have a smooth and fun experience!

What to Pack for Lake Tahoe in Summer 

A trip to Lake Tahoe is never complete without visiting its wonderful beaches and admiring the picturesque views when hiking. Prepare for these two main activities to ensure that you’ve got all you need. 

Beach Essentials

It’s a relaxing and memorable experience to spend an entire day at the beach, but you also have to ensure that you’ve got all you need! These products are some of the essential  items you should never forget when visiting Lake Tahoe’s beaches. 

1. Sunscreen

Summer is intensely hot in Lake Tahoe. However, even when it gets cloudy and cold, the high altitude of this place will still expose your skin to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Always use sunscreen to protect your exposed skin. An ideal sunscreen is sweat-proof, waterproof, and reef-proof. 

2. Quick-Drying Towel

In case you plan on taking a dip, bring a handy quick-drying towel to dry yourself before going back to an air-conditioned room. 

A quick-drying towel is also more lightweight and easier to put in your bag because it’s thinner. It won’t take up so much space. 

3. Rashguard 

A trip to the beach is not complete without bringing your rashguard for swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking. With long sleeves, it’s specifically designed for water activities, and to protect your skin from the sun. Rashguards, similar to swimsuits, dry quickly. They can also keep you warm, especially when you get cold in the water! 

4. Aqua Shoes

Bring a pair of aqua shoes to protect your feet from possible bites and scratches. 

5. Sunglasses

If you plan to spend an entire day sunbathing by the beach, bring and wear your sunglasses so that your vision stays protected all day! Additionally, a pair of sunglasses can add to your style, making you look like a fashionista at the beach!

6. Sand-Repelling Beach Mat

A full day relaxing by the beach calls for a sand-repelling beach mat for you and your loved ones to chill, hang out, or take short naps. Choose a big one, so you’re free to move. It’s also easy to fold back together and keep in your bags. 

7. Beach Bag

A beach bag is essential too! It’s where you’ll put all your belongings to ensure that you have what you need for a full day at the beach. If you’re looking to buy one, choose a bag that’s waterproof, sand proof, and has several compartments, so your things are better organized. 

We also suggest buying a lightweight beach bag so that it’s not tiring to carry, especially when it’s full of your beach essentials. It would also be better if your beach bag’s sturdy and structured well so that it won’t easily fall and topple over when you leave it on the sand. 

8. Beach Cooler

Not all beaches in Lake Tahoe have nearby restaurants or snack bars where you can buy drinks. With this, it’s better to bring a beach cooler so you’re prepared to combat the excruciating heat with a cold drink! A beach cooler ensures that your drinks are kept cold even when you plan to spend the entire day at the beach!

9. Underwater Camera

What better way to capture the amazing underwater views than owning an underwater camera? If you wish to take home the memories you had while snorkeling at Lake Tahoe’s beautiful beaches, don’t forget to pack an underwater camera. 

Additionally, ensure that you remember to bring your camera’s charger, and extra batteries. Finally, make sure its battery is full when you go to the beach!

10. Portable Charger

A long day at the beach means you need a portable charger to prevent your gadgets, especially your phone and camera, from running out of batteries. Portable chargers can basically charge anything, and they are lightweight to place in your beach bags. You can also charge multiple gadgets simultaneously! 

11. Beach Cover-Ups

If you want to wear a two-piece instead of a rashguard, it’s nice to have a beach cover-up with you just in case you get cold. These cover-ups can also serve as additional style to complement your beach look! 

Hiking Essentials

Aside from heading to the beach, Lake Tahoe also features several picturesque and Instagrammable spots worth hiking! This activity is certainly a one-of-a-kind experience that should not be ruined, especially with forgetting your hiking essentials. 

1. Sunhat

It can get intensely hot when hiking, so make sure you have a sunhat with you. Sunhats provide full protection against sunburn. You can also choose a stylish sunhat to make you look more appealing during your adventure!

2. Insulated Water Tumbler

Hiking is certainly tiring and will make you immensely thirsty. Don’t forget to bring your water tumbler for water breaks. We also recommend choosing insulated tumblers so your water stays cold for a long period! Choose tumblers with more capacity, too, so you won’t run out of drinking water quickly. 

3. Hiking Sandals

When hiking, wear comfortable clothes and footwear to enjoy the experience. Pack your most comfortable and lightweight hiking sandals to protect your feet and cause less strain especially when you’re planning to hike the entire day. We recommend bringing waterproof ones to avoid tripping when passing running bodies of water.

4. First-Aid Kit

You’ll never know what you’ll encounter when hiking, so it’s always better to be prepared. Pack your first-aid kit with band-aids, alcohol wipes, gauzes, mosquito patches, burn and bite treatment, and other items you think will be essential in case of an accident.

5. Lightweight Hiking Jacket

Wear lightweight hiking jackets to protect your skin from the sun.  Choose a waterproof jacket so you don’t have to worry when it rains. A lightweight and thin one will also save you some space.

6. Waterproof Hiking Bag

A waterproof hiking bag carries all your hiking essentials to ensure that they’re protected and organized. Choose one that’s lightweight so it would not cause any strain on your back. We recommend waterproof ones in case it rains. 

7. Hiking Pants 

Feel comfortable hiking all day by wearing a pair of stretchy and lightweight pants. This pair of hiking pants allow you to move freely so that it’s easy to walk and hike, especially when the trail gets rocky and bumpy. 

8. Snacks 

Don’t forget to bring snacks to keep you energized and recharged. 

Pack for Lake Tahoe Wisely

Choosing what to bring can be difficult, but it becomes easier when you know what to pack for Lake Tahoe in summer! Ensure that you only bring what you need to prevent overpacking. Doing this also saves you more space in your luggage if you decide to buy souvenirs to bring home to your families!

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