Yes, Lake Tahoe is known for its mountains, wildlife, resorts, and more than 871,000 acres of trees, but let’s face it—Tahoe is a worldwide destination for its big blue beautiful body of water that’s 12 miles wide, 22 miles long, and 72 miles around. This fact draws swimmers, boaters, jet-skiers, and others to plunge into its chilly waters when the sun is shining the brightest.
However, if you want to get some exercise in and take in Tahoe’s shoreline in from the water while not getting so wet, then paddling around the lake—whether that be via kayak or SUP (stand-up paddleboard)—is the best way to get a different perspective of “the jewel of the Sierra.”
Here are places to rent paddleboards and single/double kayaks, go on guided tours, and indulge in unique experiences—all with the paddle included.
Paddle Shops Around Lake Tahoe:
Major lakefront properties and hotels offer paddle rentals (such as Camp Richardson, Zephyr Cove, and Edgewood Tahoe), but here are a few more shops that rent equipment to get you out on the water:
North Lake Tahoe
West Shore Sports, Homewood: https://westshoresports.com/
Considered more in the middle of the West Shore, the aptly named West Shore Sports in Homewood offers SUP and kayak rentals that you can take across the street (Highway 89) to access the water. Sugar Pine Point State Park, Homewood High & Dry Marina, and Sunnyside are close by.
Tahoe City Kayak & Paddleboard, Tahoe City: https://tahoecitykayak.com/
Close to Commons Beach and the Truckee River, Tahoe City Kayak & Paddleboard offers SUP and kayak rentals as well as gives tours and lessons. If you want to buy a kayak or paddleboard, those are available, too.
Waterman’s Landing, Carnelian Bay: https://www.tahoewaterman.com
Located right on the north shore of Lake Tahoe at the dog-friendly Patton Beach, this family-owned café and paddle shop rents SUPs, kayak, and surf skis as well as gives lessons and hosts the summer Tahoe Paddling race series which puts on the iconic Lake Tahoe Crossing in September. A café serving healthy and organic coffee, breakfast, and lunch items is part of the shop.
Adrift Tahoe, Kings Beach: https://www.adrifttahoe.com/
Found between Highway 28 and a long sandy beach in the cluster of shops next to Jason’s Beachside Grill, Adrift Tahoe offers SUP, kayak, canoe rentals, and sells all the accompanying accessories to have a safe, fun time on the water.
Tahoe Paddle & Oar, Kings Beach: https://tahoepaddle.com/
Right in the Kings Beach town center, Tahoe Paddle & Oar rents SUPs and kayaks, sells equipment, and gives guided tours taking you by a few of Tahoe’s natural geological wonders such as underwater boulder fields and by hot springs.
Tahoe Multisport, Incline Village: https://tahoemultisport.com/
A few blocks up from Incline’s beaches, Tahoe Multisport has quivers of SUPs and kayaks to rent out, as well as provides essentials such as dry bags and life jackets. The best way to get on the water near Incline Village is to book a guided tour with Tahoe Multisport, though…since all of the beaches on Lakeshore Boulevard have restricted access, then its owners can drive you to the best places to launch, help you with your equipment, and point out things from the water that you may not see on your own.
South Lake Tahoe
SUP Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe: https://www.supsouthlaketahoe.com/
Over on the southwest end of Lake Tahoe on 871 Emerald Bay Road, SUP Tahoe rents and sells paddleboards as well as giving recommendations on the best places to go. Offers SUP rentals and sales. Its sister business, Pine Nut Cycle Café rents e-bikes and serves great food.
Tahoe Sports, South Lake Tahoe: https://tahoesports.com/
Operating out of the Ski Run and Tahoe Keys marinas, Tahoe Sports rents out pretty much anything water-related from jet skis and motorboats to kayaks and SUPs. Pedal boats, parasailing experiencing, and charter boats are also available.
Kayak Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe: https://kayaktahoe.com/
Renting out SUPs and kayaks from five of South Shore’s iconic beaches, Kayak Tahoe also offers standard and extended version guided tours around Emerald Bay in the summer.
Action Watersports, South Lake Tahoe: https://action-watersports.com/
Action Watersports is another one of those South Shore outfitters that has everything from jet ski rentals and parasailing to SUPs and kayaks, as well as a water taxi that can take you to and from other lakefront properties. Action Watersports runs out of Timber Cove, Camp Richardson, and Round Hill Pines.
One-of-a-Kind Paddle Experiences:
There are great spots to paddle around the lake, but some places to launch are more accessible than others. A tour offers the added benefit of having a guide take care of everything for you so that all you have to worry about is the paddling part. Here are some of the more unique tours on the lake:
Clearly Tahoe kayak tours/rentals: https://clearlytahoe.com/
See everything that’s going on around and below you while paddling atop a clear kayak. From a boat cruise/Clearly Tahoe kayak tour out of Emerald Bay to stargazing tours at night out of the Tahoe Keys marina, Clearly Tahoe knows how to give you a memorable Tahoe paddling trip.
Tahoe Adventure Company: https://tahoeadventurecompany.com/
Giving different kinds of tours all around North Lake Tahoe from Sand Harbor to Tahoe Vista on kayaks or SUPs, Tahoe Adventure Company also hosts full moon kayak tours, stargazing kayak tours, multisport kayaking and hiking trips, and even custom multiday lodge-to-lodge kayak tours. Clear kayaks, double kayaks, and SUPs are available to rent, too.
Rafting the Truckee River from Tahoe City to River Ranch Lodge:
Not all paddling is about kayaking and SUPs in Tahoe…two major rafting companies offer floats for the whole family down the Truckee, and both companies have been around for decades. Truckee River Rafting (https://www.truckeeriverrafting.com/) provides commercial grade rafts for groups of all sizes (free parking and shuttle transportation included) while Truckee River Raft Co. (www.truckeeriverraft.com) has a parking lot close to River Ranch Lodge and shuttles you to the top of the five-mile float so you finish the float close to your vehicle.
Plan a self-guided paddle tour around Tahoe:
If you’ve got your own boat and just want to explore Lake Tahoe on your own, the Lake Tahoe Water Trail (https://laketahoewatertrail.org/) website is a great source of information. Access weather maps, day trip maps, safety information, day trip paddle routes, and see where public landing sites and campgrounds are.
Tahoe’s Premier Paddle Events
While paddle events tend to pop up throughout the summer depending on what the weather is doing, these are race organizers to keep on your radar if you want to test your paddling speed/agility/balance/mettle against others or just want to see what the Tahoe paddling community is all about:
26th North Tahoe Regatta: https://www.rowtahoe.org/north-tahoe-regatta August 9th in Tahoe Vista, Calif.
Tahoe Paddle Racing Series: https://www.tahoewaterman.com/tahoe-paddle-racing
June- Paddle Jam in Carnelian Bay, Calif.
August- Downwind Championship in Carnelian Bay, Calif.
September- Tahoe Cup Lake Crossing in Carnelian Bay, Calif.
Witches Paddles in South Lake and Donner Lake
September- Beach Retreat & Lodge Witch Paddle in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
October- Haunt the Lake Donner Lake Witches Paddle in Donner Lake, Calif.
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the Summer 2026 edition of Tahoe Magazine.
