Kayaking Watson Lake
An easy choice for families looking to test gear or get young kids out on the water for the first time
Visiting Watson Lake
If you’re looking for a family-friendly Tahoe activity, consider paddling Watson Lake. It’s one of the quietest road-accessible hangs in the region, and you might even snag one of the four free walk-in campsites near its shores.
Whether you’ve come to Watson Lake for an afternoon or an overnight, take advantage of its calm water, warm temperatures, and relative solitude.
Watson makes a great base-camp for explorations around the Tahoe area. Right from camp, you can head out for a hike on the Tahoe Rim Trail or explore a plethora of mountain biking and dirt biking opportunities.
You won’t break a sweat exploring this little lake, but it’s perfect for testing new gear, introducing young kids to paddling, or taking in a leisurely sunset float. Come mid-week for your best shot at camping. I visited Watson to troubleshoot an air leak on a friend’s inflatable kayak – and it’s near-silence was exactly what we needed to ID the problem.
Watson Lake is really tiny, practically a pond, and you’ll soon be yearning for more grown-up sized waters. Fortunately, Tahoe is less than a half hour away.
Recommendations for Kayaking Watson Lake
Kayak Rentals
Bring your own kayak or SUP to Watson Lake. Rentals are not available.
Watson Lake Camping
There’s a small first-come-first-serve campground on this lake. If you can claim a spot here (it’s a gamble!) you’ll have some of the finest real estate in the North Lake Tahoe area.
Kayaking with Kids
Bring your family. Lake Watson is great for young children who are just getting comfortable on the water.
When to Go
Summer to fall. The access road isn’t plowed in winter. Early season, even if the gate off highway 267 is open, you still might encounter deep, impassible snow before you reach Watson Lake.
Build Your Watson Lake Weekend
Watson is a quiet basecamp you can use to explore the greater Tahoe area. Countless beaches, hikes, bikes, restaurants, shops, and longer paddles are a short drive from your tent.
What's Next?
Head over to Lake Tahoe for some of the best paddling in the region. If you’re looking for another small pool, make Snag Lake or Serene Lake your next stop.