THE BEST LAKE TAHOE PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTS
Lake Tahoe is one of those places where you just have to see it to believe it - kind of like the Grand Canyon or Hawaii or something. It’s truly incredible. If you’ve never been here, then even just driving from your home town or the airport will blow your mind. As soon as you come over the ridge and catch that first glimpse of the lake it’s like you just stumbled upon a secret gem. I always wonder what the first people to ever come here thought about it. Just walking along riding your horse or whatever, you get to the top of a mountain and see this absolutely HUGE, pristine lake. It must have been pretty crazy for those guys…
But anyways, enough of that. It’s beautiful and you should come, and when you do, these are the 5 locations that I think you should check out.
#5 CAVE ROCK
Cave rock is a Tahoe classic. Not too far from town, not too hard to access, and amazing views for about 270 degrees. I’ve been here over a dozen times and every time I always shoot a photo that I’m happy with. Not only is it a great place to shoot photos but its also a decent spot to hang out with some friends, watch the sunset, and enjoy some time away from the hustle and bustle of South Lake Tahoe.
That being said… there’s a reason it’s number five on the list. While the views are incredible and I can guarantee you’ll get a pretty epic photo, it usually tends to be pretty busy with tourists and the local high school kids. There’s also limited parking. So keep that in mind if you decide to come check it out. It may not be the MOST peaceful spot on the list, but its definitely beautiful.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Best time to shoot:
SUNSET
I would recommend coming a little bit early, maybe an hour or two before sunset to make sure you get parking and secure yourself a spot to shoot.
Getting there:
From South Lake Tahoe, head east towards Zephyr Cove, NV. Keep driving past Zephyr Cove until you see the huge rock with the tunnel (you can’t miss it). THIS IS CAVE ROCK. About a quarter mile BEFORE you get to the tunnel, there’s a right turn with a sign that says “Cave Rock Estates”. Turn up this road and continue until there’s a little parking lot straight ahead. Park here if you can - this is where the trail starts. The hike takes about 10-15 minutes. The rest is pretty self explanatory.
Recommended Gear:
I’m a big fan of a nice wide angle lens at this location.
Warnings:
Don’t be stupid. PEOPLE HAVE DIED HERE. It is very possible to fall to your death at this location if you’re acting a fool. Use your head and don’t get killed for an Instagram post.
#4 Kiva Beach
Kiva Beach is probably one of my favorite beaches in Tahoe. Its actually kind of a weird little “strip” of beach with water on both sides. On one side you’ve got Lake Tahoe and on the other you’ve got a little marsh/swamp type area with an amazing view of Mount Tallac. This is a great place to come hang out during the day and do all of those normal “beach activities” but of course, it’s also a great place to shoot photos.
There’s nothing too crazy about this place however I think its important to know that this is one of Tahoe’s most popular dog beaches. So if you’re not a fan of people’s furry friends, I would suggest not to come during the day and only focus on the prime photography hours. Otherwise, it’s an incredible spot.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Best time to shoot:
SUNRISE/SUNSET
This place is AMAZING for sunrise but also great for sunset. If you’re a morning person come for sunrise.
Getting there:
Type “Kiva Beach” into your GPS
Recommended Gear:
I’d recommend both a wide angle lens and a zoom/telephoto. Wide angle for the views, but a telephoto comes in handy for shooting wildlife. We’ve seen quite a few bald eagles and osprey here. In the evenings you can watch the birds swoop into the marsh to catch fish.
Warnings:
You WILL see dogs here. Most of the time they leave you alone, but sometimes they don’t. If you don’t like dogs, don’t come.
#3 Sand Harbor
Do you like Hawaii? Because this is pretty much the Hawaii of Tahoe. Amazing sandy beaches. Crystal clear water. Views for days. There’s even a bar/restaurant if you want to grab a bite to eat or drink while hanging at the beach. You’ll also find some decent rocks to jump off if you’re into that sort of thing. Overall, you should just plan on spending a full day here but get here EARLY - like 8am (unless you plan on shooting sunrise… then earlier obviously)
Also, being that this is one of the most pristine beaches in Tahoe, it tends to get very busy. Fortunately the crowd starts to die down once the lighting gets good, which is perfect for you since you just want to shoot photos anyways.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Best time to shoot:
SUNRISE/SUNSET
This place is probably good for sunrise, but I always come for sunset. Especially if you can get some clouds in the sky, sunsets tend to fire here.
Getting there:
Sand Harbor is on the east shore of Lake Tahoe. From South Lake Tahoe head towards Incline Village, NV. About a mile or two before Incline you’ll be able to see Sand Harbor (it's beautiful!), then just follow the signs. Or… plug “Sand Harbor” into your GPS.
Recommended Gear:
Bring your favorite lens! This is a great place for both landscapes and portraits. If you’re on a budget, check out the Viltrox 85 f1.8 for some portrait shooting. Also, could be a good place for long exposures so bring a tripod if you’re into that.
Warnings:
Parking is $10 (as of Aug 2019)
DRONES ARE NOT ALLOWED. If you want to fly a drone, you’ll need to do so OUTSIDE of the park. FOLLOW ALL DRONE RULES AND REGULATIONS. I’m not your mom.
#2 Maggie’s Peak
I’m going to be honest with you guys… I almost didn’t include this location on the list. This is probably one of my favorite spots in all of Tahoe and I would hate for people to trash it - so if you come please be respectful and leave it as you found it. Don’t make me regret posting about it. That being said, this is probably the best view of Lake Tahoe that you’ll get out of all the spots on this list - but… YOU’RE GOING TO WORK FOR IT - because its also the most challenging.
Be prepared for some real exploration and adventure with this one. The hike can be pretty brutal especially if you’re not a seasoned hiker or if you’re coming from lower elevations. It’s steep and can be exhausting, fortunately it’s not that long - just over 3 miles round trip. So bring food and water and anything else you might need in case of an emergency. We like to stop at Raleys at “The Y” to get a sandwich and eat it at the top :)
There’s also a lake about halfway through this hike if you want to bring a hammock or some swim trunks to go for a dip. It’s a great place to kick it for a bit before finishing the last stretch of the hike. Also, could be a cool spot to shoot photos.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Best time to shoot:
ANYTIME - SUNRISE/SUNSET for experienced hikers only
The views at this spot are so incredible that really any time of day is a good time to capture some amazing photos. Obviously sunrise or sunset are going to give you the best light, but that means hiking in the dark - whether in the morning to beat the sun, or in the evening after the sun has gone down. Come prepared with a headlamp if you plan on shooting one of these times. If you’ve never hiked in the dark, this wouldn’t be the first place to try it.
Getting there:
The trail starts at the Bayview Trailhead. Once on the trail, go right and you’ll be on your way.
Recommended Gear:
Warnings:
YOU WILL NEED A PERMIT. Permits are FREE and you can get one AT THE TRAILHEAD. Fill it out and attach it to your backpack.
DRONES ARE NOT ALLOWED. FOLLOW ALL DRONE RULES AND REGULATIONS. I’m not your mom.
This hike is challenging (but doable) for most regular people.
#1 Emerald Bay
By far the most photographed spot in Lake Tahoe - and for good reason! This place is epic! I remember the first time I ever came here it truly blew my mind which is why it is number one on my list. Anyone that comes to Tahoe HAS to go to Emerald Bay. Sure, it’s touristy. It’s busy. There’s tons of traffic. But it is undoubtedly the most amazing location in all of Lake Tahoe.
There’s also so much to do and see here. Hike up to a waterfall. Hike down to a different waterfall. Hike all the way down to the beach. Hike to a little alpine lake. Go ROCK CLIMBING! The options are endless and you can honestly spend hours at this spot.
Once you get here and park your car, go shoot the photo that everyone else is shooting (because its honestly an awesome shot) and then… go explore for yourself. There’s so much more here than just the one view that everyone is shooting. Get creative with it and capture something unique. You got this!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Best time to shoot:
SUNRISE
The views at this spot are so incredible that really any time of day is a good time to capture some amazing photos. Obviously sunrise or sunset are going to give you the best light, but that means hiking in the dark - whether in the morning to beat the sun, or in the evening after the sun has gone down. Come prepared with a headlamp if you plan on shooting one of these times. If you’ve never hiked in the dark, this wouldn’t be the first place to try it.
Getting there:
“Emerald Bay” into your GPS. Also very easy to find on a map.
Recommended Gear:
Just bring it all. You’ll use it.
Warnings:
Nothing really to worry about here. Expect crowds. Be careful around waterfalls.
