Stateline is a Lake Tahoe community best known for its bustling casinos in the gambling-friendly state of Nevada. Among the main casino resorts here are Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe and Harveys Lake Tahoe. While gaming is the most popular activity in Stateside, visitors here enjoy easy access to all the lake and mountain outdoor activities, including the chance to hit the slopes at nearby Heavenly Ski Resort.

Stateline makes a good base for accessing Lake Tahoe’s top outdoor sights as well as its ample entertainment choices. Spend the day hiking or skiing then unwind in the evening by catching a show or playing at the poker tables in one of the elaborate casino resorts. Enjoy beautiful lake and mountain views on a scenic gondola ride or aboard a romantic sunset boat cruise. Play a round of golf or spend an afternoon shopping and sampling craft beer around South Lake Tahoe, the small California city adjacent to Stateline.

Lake Tahoe Stateline - one of the highlights of 10 Towns and Villages to Visit Around Lake Tahoe (Read all about Tahoe City here)

photo by akampfer (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

Highlights of Lake Tahoe Stateline

Stateside lures in Lake Tahoe visitors with its gambling halls, but the larger casinos here are also plush resorts with spas, pools and fitness centres, upscale restaurants, cocktail bars and boutique shops. Some Stateline resorts even cater to the wee ones by offering kids’ activities.

Beyond Stateline’s resorts and casinos, the beautiful surrounds of Lake Tahoe are worth exploring, too. The wide, sandy Nevada Beach is only a 5-minute drive from Stateline, while a just a short walk away from Stateline’s main strip are the forested hiking trails of Van Sickle Bi-state Park. Nearby Zephyr Cove has a marina with loads of activities to enjoy including boat and kayak rentals, beach volleyball courts, fishing, paddle-wheel boat cruises, and snowmobile tours in the winter. A bit farther away but still reachable within an hour are Emerald Bay State Park and Eldorado National Forest for more hiking, boating and lakeside activities.

Entertainment in Lake Tahoe Stateline

Since its first big casinos were built along the US-50 in the 1950s, Stateline has remained Lake Tahoe’s center for games and entertainment. The largest is Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, offering a 24-hour casino with table games and more than 1,000 slot and video poker machines. Its nightclubs also host several live performances through the year. Harveys Lake Tahoe is another large casino-resort with hundreds of slot machines and the William Hill Race & Sports Book, where you can watch sports action on big-screen TVs and wager on your favorite teams or even horses. More casinos can be found along the street, some decked out in an “Old West” style as a rustic alternate to the ritzy resorts.

Live music is a year-round attraction in Stateside, especially during the summer months when the Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series is held at Harveys amphitheater. World-renowned, big-name acts like Lady Gaga and The Who are among those who have played here in the past.

What else is good to know about Lake Tahoe Stateline?

The best time to visit Stateline by Lake Tahoe really depends on what you want to do here. If you’re looking to escape for a fun weekend of playing the poker tables and squeezing in some spa sessions, then any time of year is ok.

The summer months are the most crowded and expensive for accommodations, but this is when more outdoor activities are available. If you’re hoping to get out on the lake, do some high-altitude hiking, explore the state parks or relax on a beach, then try to visit between June and September.

October through May, you’ll be able to enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. Heavenly is the nearest ski resort, just minutes away on the California side of the lake in South Tahoe. If you’re driving here during the winter, keep an eye on the weather conditions as storms could force road closures. Make sure you’re prepared to navigate snowy roads. It’s best to have a 4-wheel-drive vehicle or keep tyre chains stored in the automobile.

Lake Tahoe Stateline

Lana Willocks | Contributing Writer