SUP Echo Lakes
My new fave SUP spot
If you’re searching for a paddle that feels remote and wild but still easy to reach, look no further than Echo Lakes, just south of Lake Tahoe. This twin-lake system—Lower and Upper Echo—is tucked high in the Sierra Nevada, surrounded by granite cliffs, mirror-like water, and clusters of old-school boat-in cabins that make you feel like you’ve discovered a secret mountain paradise.
It’s easily one of the best day trips for standup paddleboarding in Tahoe — offering stunning alpine scenery, a calm morning paddle, and just enough adventure to keep things interesting.
Why Paddle Echo Lakes?
Echo Lakes delivers that backcountry feeling without the backcountry effort. You can literally launch from a small marina parking lot, yet within minutes you’re surrounded by rugged granite walls, shimmering reflections, and total stillness.
Lower Echo Lake stretches about 1.5 miles long, and if you paddle through the narrow rock passage at the far end (Memorial Day through Labor Day), you’ll enter Upper Echo Lake — extending the journey to about 2.5 miles one way (5 miles round trip).
The views are classic Sierra Nevada: clear turquoise water, granite peaks, and the occasional rustic cabin clinging to the shoreline. On a calm morning, the reflections are unreal — it’s pure alpine magic.
How to Get There
Echo Lakes are located about 10 miles south of South Lake Tahoe off Highway 50.
Directions:
From South Lake Tahoe, take Highway 50 toward Meyers and follow signs for Echo Lakes Road, located near Echo Summit. The road winds a short distance down to the marina and parking area.
Parking:
There’s a small lot near the marina (paid parking) and limited free roadside parking nearby. Arrive early on weekends — spots fill fast by mid-morning in summer.
AIS Inspection: Clean, Drain, Dry
Before launching, all paddleboards in the Tahoe Basin must pass an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) inspection. This helps protect Tahoe’s pristine waters from harmful plants, snails, and mussels.
Here’s what you need to know:
Your SUP, paddle, leash, PFD, and any gear must be completely clean, drained, and dry.
Inspections are usually done at Tahoe Resource Conservation District stations, including stops near Meyers, Spooner Summit, and Alpine Meadows.
Once cleared, you’ll receive a blue inspection tag so you can launch without re-checking.
If your board or gear is damp from another lake, inspectors will turn you away. So do your part — keep it clean, drained, and dry!
Launching & Conditions
You’ll launch from the Echo Lakes Marina, where a small dock provides easy access.
Key things to know:
Mornings are typically calm, but afternoon winds can funnel through the canyon, creating serious chop. Get an EARLY start!
The water is cold year-round — even in midsummer — so wear a leash and a PFD.
There are no beaches or easy landing spots along much of the shoreline. Bring everything you need on your board (snacks, water, sunscreen).
A small water taxi operates in summer, but boat traffic is otherwise minimal and respectful.
When to Go
The ideal paddle season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. During this window, water levels are high enough to paddle through the rock passage between the lakes.
After Labor Day, the dam is lowered, and the passage becomes too shallow for paddleboards, effectively cutting off access to Upper Echo Lake until next summer.
For best conditions:
Go early (7–10 AM) for glassy water and light winds.
Avoid afternoons when gusts sweep through the canyon.
Late July through August offers the warmest temps and the most predictable weather.
Echo Lakes Paddleboarding Day Trip Itinerary
7:00 AM – Get Your AIS Inspection Tag (if needed)
Stop at the Meyers inspection station before heading up to the lakes. Having your blue tag saves time and ensures you’re compliant.
7:30 AM – Arrive & Launch at Echo Lakes Marina
Unload your board, park your car, and glide into the still morning water of Lower Echo Lake.
8:00 – 10:00 AM – Paddle Lower Echo Lake
Cruise the full length of the lake (about 1.5 miles one way). Admire the rows of boat-in cabins, the cliffs, and the reflections — it’s pure Sierra serenity.
10:00 – 11:00 AM – Paddle Through the Passage into Upper Echo Lake
The narrow, rock-lined channel between the lakes is the most photogenic stretch — paddle slowly and take it in.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Explore Upper Echo Lake & Snack Break
If you brought a dry bag with snacks or a drink, pull over on a flat granite ledge to relax and soak up the mountain air.
12:00 – 1:30 PM – Paddle Back
Wind often picks up after noon, so expect a bit of resistance on your return trip. Take your time and enjoy the scenery.
1:30 PM – Head to Lunch in Meyers or South Lake Tahoe
Reward yourself with a hearty bite nearby:
The Getaway Café (Meyers): Famous breakfast burritos & coffee
Tahoe Ale Worx at the Y: Pizza and beer anyone, with great cocktails and live music as well
Verde Mexican Rotisserie: Wholesome, sustainable, GOOD fresh Mex
Gear Checklist
SUP Leash & PFD - Required by law and critical in cold water
Dry Bag with Snacks & Layers - Limited shoreline access
Waterproof Phone Case / Map - GPS and photos
Sun Protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses) - No shade on the water
Wide, Stable SUP Board - I recommend Isle inflatable SUP’s. They’re solid boards, rugged, versatile, good on choppy water and they roll up into a carry bag making transportation and storage simple.
Pro Tips for a Perfect Paddle
Start early for calm water and empty parking lots.
Check the wind forecast — gusty days make for tough returns.
Bring a camera — this lake is incredibly photogenic.
Respect the cabins — they’re privately owned; enjoy from a distance.
Pack out all trash — Echo Lakes are part of a delicate alpine watershed.
Final Thoughts
Echo Lakes is a gem for anyone who loves standup paddleboarding, scenery, and solitude. It’s the perfect blend of accessible adventure and wild alpine beauty. Whether you paddle just Lower Echo or explore both lakes, you’ll come away with a new favorite spot — and probably a few new photos you won’t believe are real.
So get your board clean, drained, and dry — and go see why Echo Lakes might just be the most magical paddle in Tahoe. 💦🏔
Follow @ur_radventures for more details on hikes, standup paddle boarding and more of my RADventures!
