5 reasons Fall is the Best Time to Kayak on Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe saw its first glimpse of fall weather last week, and while the peak season may be winding down, our favorite season is just ramping up. For many, fall means switching out bathing suits and sunscreen for backpacks and school supplies, but for Lake Tahoe, the start of fall marks the best time of year to go kayaking and paddle boarding. With the summer crowds gone, weather cooling down, and water clarity at its peak, kayaking in the fall is the perfect equation for a good time on the water.
Trees changing color make the perfect backdrop
While the forest surrounding the lake is made up primarily of pine trees, there are sections of aspen tress along the shoreline that turn vibrant colors when the weather cools down in September, making a perfect backdrop for photos in a kayak! The color pallet of the lake boasts bright turquoise waters against the stunning fall foliage. The east shore of Lake Tahoe has some of the best spots to see the leaves change colors, and its an even more magical experience from the water. Bring your camera, because you are not going to want to miss the fiery foliage along the shoreline.
The water is even clearer than in the summer
Most people travel to Lake Tahoe for its beautiful turquoise waters and water clarity of up to 65 feet below the surface. These conditions can be seen year-round, but some months are better than others. Water clarity typically declines in the summer months due to excessive pollutants, plankton growth, and runoff. As the season progresses, these pollutants are less of a factor and the water clarity becomes higher. Fall is the perfect time to kayak on the lake with calm, clear waters.
The weather is the perfect kayaking temperature
The weather in Lake Tahoe typically maxes out at a perfect and crisp 70 degrees in the fall months. While there is no bad season to visit Lake Tahoe, the fall weather is definitely the most desirable, and the best for water activities. The crisp mountain air makes activities that you may work up a sweat doing much more enjoyable. In the early fall months there is consistent sunshine, but not enough to make you melt while you are paddling.
Wind levels are much lower in the fall
Along with perfect temperatures for kayaking, wind levels are much more cooperative in the fall. During the summer months, wind consistently picks up in the afternoon, making the water choppy and hard to see through. In the fall, however, wind conditions are stable and almost non-existent. The water as still as glass throughout the whole day, thus kayaking in the fall can happen more often and at more times in the day! While we are always going to recommend early kayak times, the fall makes it better for everyone to get out on the water (especially if you do not want to wake up early).
The summer crowds are gone!
The summer crowds are gone and ski resorts are not yet open for the season, so September and October have fewer crowds – in fact, these months are considered “Locals Summer.” Beaches are much less populated and there is far less boat traffic in the fall time. It almost feels as if you have the whole lake to yourself when you are on the water!
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- Tahoe Kayaking