Things To Do In Truckee In Summer, From Thrills To Spills

The surrounding Sierra Nevada outside of Truckee is the epitome of an all organic theme park. While many flock to the peaks for their fix of adrenaline in the winter, the warmer months provide just as much fun or more. Here’s a list of all the things to do in Truckee this summer.

Conquer Your Fear Of Heights… And Try Climbing the Tahoe Via Ferrata

The perfect adventure for first timers to experience rock climbing. A combination of ladder rungs, steel cables, and suspension bridges built by the experts at Alpenglow Expeditions help you navigate the iconic Tram Face at Palisades Tahoe. All the while a guide leads you through it, you are ALWAYS connected to the rock. 

For more information about the Tahoe Via Ferrata: tahoevia.com or call Alpenglow Expeditions at 877-873-5376.

Kayak, SUP, and Discover Truckee-Tahoe Lakes

Looking for a fun way to get out on the lake besides classic waterskiing and wakeboarding? Try kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, hydrobike, or pedal boat! You’re bound to have a great time and you might see some interesting wildlife along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for osprey and bald eagles (ready to dive for fish from the sky) and beaver dams along the shoreline. Read our kayaking guide to Truckee-Tahoe!

Unwind on a Sunny Beach

Goodbye heat and hello alpine lakes and snowmelt rivers! With over 85 miles of lakefront shoreline between Donner Lake and Lake Tahoe, Truckee-Tahoe is home to fine white sand beaches and scenic piers. And the weather couldn’t be more consistently perfect! Sunny, warm skies invite you to relax and soak up the sun with a good book, fishing pole and a breezy drink. Splash around in the shallows with kids. Cannon ball off a pier anyone?! Read about Truckee & North Lake Tahoe's best beaches here!

Make The Leap And Take In Truckee-Tahoe’s Scenery From A Skydive

Cross off your bucket list item to skydive and take in the views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains all at the same time. Skydive Truckee Tahoe is owned and operated by a family of professional skydivers eager to provide a safe and once-in-a lifetime experience. From the twenty minute ascent at Truckee’s airport to the exciting exit, we’re pretty sure Mark Twain’s words about Lake Tahoe fit the experience:

 “The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn't it be? It is the same the angels breathe.” 

Take Your Mountain Bike Riding Skills To New Heights

Start slow and increase your confidence and skills at the Truckee Bike Park. The park is designed to cover the full spectrum of riders. Beginners and first timers will love the progression section. Containing a XC loop with natural features as well as strider friendly pump track. While experts can test their mettle on the Black Slope Line which contains some seriously large wood and dirt features. These aren’t for the faint of heart - sending riders to double overhead heights.

If your kids are into mountain biking or any gravity fed action sport, consider signing them up for one of the summer camps for kids at Woodward or a session or several at the Tahoe Bike Park itself.

Hit the Trails with the Truckee Donner Land Trust

Discover the beauty of Truckee through the guided hikes offered seasonally by the Truckee Donner Land Trust. These hikes are perfect for exploring the diverse landscapes, from serene meadows to rugged mountain trails, all while learning about the rich natural and cultural history of the area. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a beginner, there's a trail waiting for you. Join in any of these FREE hikes with Truckee Donner Land Trust around Elizabethtown, Lacey Meadows, Lower Carpenter Valley, Royal Gorge, Donner Summit Canyon, Frog Lake Cliffs, Donner Lake Rim Trail, Johnson Canyon, & more!

Sign up for guided hikes here!

Running Of The Snowmelt - Enjoy Winter’s Bounty While Whitewater Rafting

All that snow needs to go somewhere and the only outlet from Lake Tahoe is the Truckee River. The melt is on and that means the cusp of whitewater rafting is upon us. The current forecast is for the high spring water season to last into June and possibly July. If you haven’t gone or haven’t been in a while, this is a great year to go and book with one of our Truckee guides.

Try Your Hand at Pickleball

Pickeball is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation, and Truckee is no exception. Truckee has scenic outdoor courts in Tahoe Donner and indoor courts at the Truckee Rec Center. And more courts are on the way in 2024!

If you've never tried pickleball, the beginner-friendly sport is a great activity for all ages and guaranteed to spark some laughs and good times on the court for families. Plus, it's easier than tennis which makes it quick to pick up!

Find pickleball courts in Truckee

Endless Dirt Trail Adventure In Truckee

The list of unique things to do in Truckee this summer is magical but it doesn’t end there. Truckee-Tahoe is home to hundreds of miles of dirt trails and gravel roads in the Tahoe National Forest filled with scenic vistas to hike or trail run to. Adrenaline pumping singletrack that flows its way through a canopy of pines. The question then isn’t is there anything to do in Truckee in summer but how long can you stay?

All Are Welcome - Explore Truckee’s Trails For EveryBODY^TM

And the best part is? EVERYONE is welcome to enjoy Mother Nature’s beauty and therapy regardless of shape, size, or physical abilities! As part of the Trails for EveryBODY^TM initiative, Truckee has helped create universally designed trails for all. In fact, there are two new state of the art dirt trails in Truckee specifically fabricated to accommodate wheelchairs, adaptive bikes, and other mobility devices. Along with these two dirt trails, the Tahoe National Forest offers hundreds of miles of scenic dirt and gravel roads for riding. Adaptive mountain bikes will be best suited for this terrain. For route ideas, check out these Truckee Tahoe Gravel courses.