This summer, my sister and I decided to take a road trip to one of California’s most scenic destinations: Lake Tahoe! We spent the last week of July in Lake Tahoe hiking in Emerald Bay, kayaking along the North Lake Tahoe Shore, swimming in the crystal clear waters at Crystal Cove, adventuring around on the Tahoe East Shore Trail, and so much more.
Packing for trips can be super stressful, but with my packing list for Lake Tahoe below, you will definitely be more prepared and stress-free for your next vacation. If you are planning a trip to Lake Tahoe in the summer, make sure to check out the list below for a complete guide of what to pack!
LAKE TAHOE SUMMER ESSENTIALS PACKING LIST
SHOES
Hiking shoes or boots
Flip flops and/or sandals
Everyday tennis shoes
CLOTHES
Shorts
Shirts
Rompers and/or sundresses
Pants
Warm sweatshirt and/or jacket
Underwear (+bras)
Socks
Swimsuits
ACCESSORIES
Glasses (optional)
Earrings, necklaces, and bracelets (optional)
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY GEAR
Waterproof phone protector: This is essential for taking your phone with you during kayaking or other water activities
Mini cooler for food & drinks: This made taking day trips in the Tahoe area so easy!
Exercise shorts
Exercise tops (+ sports bras)
Reusable water bottle: I suggest using a Hydroflask. It’s insulated and can keep your water cold all day long, even on hot days!
Hydrobackpack: Hassle-free hydration has never been easier. This is a must for hiking or long walks!
Beach umbrella: There’s no shade at most of Lake Tahoe’s beaches and it gets SUPER hot! Bring an umbrella to comfortably extend your time at the beach.
Swimming goggles
TOILETRIES
Hanging toiletry bag: I use this for all of my vacations; it saves SO much counter space!
Hair ties
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Tweezers
Nail clippers remover
Makeup
Contacts (optional)
Shampoo
Conditioner
Razor
Body wash
Body lotion
Allergy medication (optional)
Dry nose spray: It’s VERY dry in Tahoe. This will save you!
Any other medications you need
Hand sanitizer
Masks
TECH
Laptop
Laptop charger
Smartwatch charger
Car phone charger
Car phone mount
Phone charger
Camera: I recommend bringing a DSLR camera and a drone for epic, high-quality images.
MISCELLANEOUS
Eye mask
Earplugs
Essential oil: Putting this under my nose and on my temples always helps me relax before going to sleep!
Book
Journal
Laundry bag
Picnic blanket
Driver’s License: You’ll need this to be able to rent jet skis, kayaks, etc.
Credit card
Cash
A few last things to note:
1. Lake Tahoe is very casual, so unless you plan on going to dinner at a high-end resort during your time in Lake Tahoe, it is not necessary to bring dressy outfits. During my week-long stay, I mostly wore a swimsuit, hiking outfit, casual shorts and a top, or pants and a top for dinner once the sun went down.
2. Do not forget to bring a warm jacket and a pair of pants for the evenings - it gets chillier than you would think!
3. If you are planning a road trip to Lake Tahoe, check out my helpful list of 10 travel essentials you need to pack for every road trip.
Be sure to use this checklist for what to pack for Lake Tahoe in the summer and you will be well on your way to a smooth vacation! Do you have any other travel must-haves? I’d love to hear about them. Drop any suggestions down in the comments below!
*Disclosure: Please note that this post contains some affiliate links. These are products I use myself and genuinely recommend. I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you from any purchases made through the links.*
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