Best Activities to Do Memorial Weekend in Tahoe-Truckee

Memorial Day weekend is the kickoff to summer in Lake Tahoe! It has been known to snow over Memorial Day however, we can hope for warm, sunny weather. Regardless of the weather, there is still a ton to do in Tahoe and Truckee over the three day weekend so start planning now.

Come to the Tahoe Mountain Sports Sales Rep Sample Sale

Saturday of Memorial Day weekend is your best chance to score some of the best deals on skis, boots, bindings, footwear, outerwear and more. There will be sales reps from Patagonia, Faction Skis, Thule, La Sportiva, Camelbak, Kuhl, Leki, and more set up in the parking lot of the Safeway Shopping Center in front of TMS selling their samples so you can get the newest styles before anyone else. It’s also a benefit for the Auburn Ski Club so you can feel good about a portion of your purchase going to this local group.

Take a Hike

In the spring it can be hard to find a hiking trail without snow or not too muddy. So I did some research and have the beta on where to go hiking early in the season. Click the links below for more information and trail maps.

1. Martis Valley – is a flat loop around beautiful Martis Valley, highlights include incredible views of surrounding snowcapped mountains, mountain meadows, wildflowers and flowing streams. This is one of my favorite places to go for early season hiking and trail running.
2. Waddle Ranch – has more hills than Martis Valley and is an out and back trail with some small loops mixed in. It’s a great trail for wildlife viewing and dogs are allowed on leashes.
3. The Commemorative Emigrant Trail is an out and back hike that goes to Stampede Reservoir and provides up to 20 miles of single track. It’s also popular with mountain bikers so if you don’t want to see bikes maybe pick a different hike.
4. Truckee River Legacy Trail – the Truckee River is raging right now with all the snow melt and the Legacy Trail is a paved trail that goes right along side of it from downtown Truckee all the way to Glenshire. There are lots of great spots to stop for a picnic and watch the kayakers and rafters float by.
5. North Tahoe Regional Park spans approximately 124 acres and offers captivating lake views and is a great spot to take dogs. Amenities include hiking trails, playground for kids, disc golf course and a Treetop Adventure Course so plan to spend the day.

Go Backcountry Skiing

Spring is great for skiing in the morning and going to the beach in the afternoon. Plenty of spots around Lake Tahoe and Truckee still have enough snow for you to get out there and make some turns. Check the weather to make sure temperatures are freezing at night and warming during the day to create the desired ‘corn snow’ that is so fun to ski. Start touring up while conditions are still firm, take a break on top and have a snack while you take in the view and wait for the snow to soften, then enjoy epic conditions all the way back to your car.

While snow conditions are stable during the spring backcountry skiers still need to be aware of potential wet avalanches. If you need gear we’ve got you covered. Check out our backcountry gear rentals and reserve your setup.

My recommendations for good backcountry tours are Castle Peak or Mt. Rose Wilderness.

Visit Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center and Emigrant Trail Museum

The Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center and Pioneer Monument was built to commemorate those who emigrated to California from the east coast in the mid-1800’s. The Visitor Center features interesting new exhibits that tell the stories of the Emigrant Experience, the Donner Party, the Waschoe history, Chinese construction of the railroad, and early motoring adventures over Donner Pass. The park is also a great place for camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, water-skiing, and hiking in the summer. In winter, you can cross-country ski and snowshoe around the park. It’s also a great place to enjoy some of the Sierra Nevada’s geologic history like older sedimentary rocks, transformed by temperature and pressure.

Go Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Memorial Day Weekend kicks off paddling season and there are lots of places to rent paddle boards and kayaks. Check out our blog post to get ideas on Best Places to Launch and Best Day Trips. Paddleboarding is weather dependent so if it’s windy and cold I suggest waiting for a different weekend. Please be safe, use good judgement, and wear a wetsuit and lifejacket if you go. You don’t want to fall in, the water temperature is 55 degrees. Read this if you don’t believe me.

Play Disc Golf

Disc golf is a great game for the entire family and there are courses all around Truckee and Lake Tahoe. Players use a disc, which is a smaller Frisbee, and throw it into baskets on a marked course. It’s great exercise and fun way to hike around in the woods. It’s free to play although some of courses have a small fee for parking and a disc costs less than $20. My favorite course is Tahoe Vista Regional Disc Golf Course because it has lake views and it’s well marked. There might still be some snow on the course and wet spots. If you’re in Truckee check out the course at the Truckee Regional Park with easy free parking and clear, dry conditions, this will be your best bet for a fun day and the course has views of downtown Truckee and the Truckee River.

Beach Day

With the weather forecasted to be sunny and warm, a beach day is the perfect way to relax and soak in some rays. Some of my favorites on Lake Tahoe include Sand Harbor, Kings Beach State Recreation Area, and D.L. Bliss State Park and West End Beach on Donner Lake in Truckee.

Check out our Beach Day Checklist to make sure you have all the gear for a day on the beaches of Tahoe or Donner Lake

Go For A Run

This is the perfect time of year for a run and Lake Tahoe and Truckee are a runner’s paradise. It is sunny, but not mid-Summer hot quite yet and there is something for everyone – trail runners, ultra marathoners, road runners, people who’ve been running for a day or their entire life. Maybe you are just getting into running or looking to mix up your running routine with a new trail. Regardless, check out these Top 10 Best Runs that Tahoe-Truckee has to offer.

For more ideas…

Tell us about your plans for Memorial Day weekend in the comments below!