Photographing Lake Tahoe
One of my favorite places to visit in the Sierra Nevada is Lake Tahoe. Not only is there good food, good people, and good vibes, but there are also views for days! Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area are stunningly beautiful, so if you have any time on your hands to snap a photo a two, here are the best spots to photograph Lake Tahoe.
Emerald Bay State Park - Lookout
Emerald Bay has so many different photo locations that I recommend you spend a few hours here to explore. The first one I recommend you hit is right at sunrise at the Emerald Bay State Park Lookout. Get there early so you have time to explore the cliffs and pick a spot to your liking, you may find yourself moving around a bit to get the composition you want. Once you have your tripod ready, enjoy the show!
Emerald Bay State Park - Inspiration Point
If you wrap around Emerald Bay, Inspiration Point Vista is a pullout on the side of the road. This is another spot that you have to get here early, because there isn’t much room for parking and it fills up quickly. This location offers additional (and absolutely gorgeous) views of the bay and Fannette Island.
Sand Harbor
Another location you should scout out beforehand! The beach on the north side has the more stellar views (in my opinion) and if you scramble along the rocks and head south, you can get a lot more creative. Sand Harbor fills up quickly during the summer and I recommend getting dropped off here if you are trying to catch the sunrise (chances are the park isn’t open that early and they block off the entrance to parking) and there is also no parking allowed on the main highway. Despite all the trouble, you can catch some amazing shots of super smooth water before anyone gets there!
Emerald Cove
Just a stones throw north of Sand Harbor is Emerald Cove. There is a turnout you can park at FOR FIVE MINUTES so you better hustle down the dirt path where you can take some seriously stunning shots of the rocks in the water. I recommend getting dropped off here as well (or walking/biking if you are staying or camping nearby) so you don’t have to rush!
Rubicon Point Light
What I love about this side of Tahoe is that here the trees reach the water. You can park at the Rubicon Trailhead (again, like everything in Tahoe, it fills up fast) and take the Rubicon Trail south and enjoy the stunning views through the trees of the lake.