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Go Tahoe North

Lake Tahoe Eastshore Drive

The 26-mile long Lake Tahoe-Eastshore Drive is a national scenic byway traversing the eastern half of Lake Tahoe from the California-Nevada state line in the north to the town of Stateline Nevada. It offers breathtaking views of the crystal clear lake, towering pine trees, and snow-capped mountains. The Lake Tahoe-Eastshore Drive has earned the title "the most beautiful drive in America."

This byway is mostly undeveloped, except for the excellent recreational opportunities afforded by the lake, including the Zephyr Cove Resort, stables and campgrounds along the route, the Tahoe Rim Trail, as well as the ski resorts, hotels, casinos, and fabulous golf courses of Incline Village.

It is also home to the historic sacred grounds of the Washoe Indians. Lake Tahoe was originally a peaceful, earthy place. The Washoe would gather in the summer to fish, hunt, and harvest nuts and berries for the long winter spent in Nevada's high desert. The Washoe called this special place Da ow aga, meaning "the edge of the lake." It is believed that Tahoe got its name from the European settlers' mispronunciation of the first two syllables.

As the area opened up to those seeking California Gold, Eastshore Drive became part of the Pony Express Trail on its Carson City-Sacramento Route. Upon first seeing the lake, Mark Twain wrote “As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface, I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole earth affords.”

The lake also drew many of the nation’s wealthiest people, and many of their mansions can be seen from the drive, including the $75 million Crystalline Mansion and the Historic Thunderbird Mansion, which is now owned by the State of Nevada and run by its parks system.

Lake Tahoe remains a gathering place for people hoping to enjoy the outdoors. Lake Tahoe offers something for everyone year-round.

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Federal Highway Administration

A 52 Weeks of Fun Fascinating Fact about Lake Tahoe Eastshore Drive

Lake Tahoe is one of the naturally purest water lakes in the world, with the water coming in at 99.994% pure.

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Wikipedia

Cave Rock on Lake Tahoe-Eastshore Drive, also known as US Highway 50.
Wikipedia

The Thunderbird Lodge is run by Nevada State Parks and is open to the public for tours.
Trip Advisor

Many wealthy took advantage of Nevada’s tax laws to build mansions along the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe.
Go Tahoe North

Lake Tahoe is so clean, one can see rocks 30 feet below on the bottom on a smooth day.

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