South Lake Tahoe is no cheap place to travel… and it’s not hard to open your wallet and realize you’ve dipped into the kids’ college savings for a trip to Lake Tahoe (whoops… I promise I won’t tell them). Luckily the kids can go to college and Lake Tahoe, because there are a few free and many cheap things to do that don’t call for college money to fund. Just take a look outside, the great outdoors is calling (lucky for us Mother Nature doesn’t charge for walks in the forest). Find the top budget hotels in the area, and great cheap and free things to do in Lake Tahoe with this easy guide to Lake Tahoe on a shoestring:

Budget Hotels in South Lake Tahoe

1.) 3 Peaks Resort & Beach Club: From a beautiful 5 bedroom cabin to inexpensive hotel rooms, 3 Peaks Resort & Beach Club offers Lake Tahoe visitors the best amenities. Enjoy a convenient location and incredible deals!

2.) Secrets Inn: We don’t want to give it away, but Secrets Inn is by far the best kept secret for couples traveling to Lake Tahoe. Not only is it walking distance to nearly everything in South Lake Tahoe, it specializes in romantic getaways, and kids are not allowed! Leave the little ones at home and enjoy an escape with your better half.

3.) Super 8 South Lake Tahoe: Although I usually tend to steer clear from chain hotels (one bad experience really leaves a scar for the best of them), this Super 8 is a top notch choice in South Lake Tahoe. Rates start as low as $38, and what they lack in price they make up for with amenities (usually it’s the opposite). Enjoy comfortable rooms, on-site sports bar, and pet friendly rooms!

4.) The Blue Lake Inn: And the best deal of them all goes to… The Blue Lake Inn! For only $33 (most nights) you can sleep comfortably and enjoy a convenient location and complimentary breakfast. Amenities include a jacuzzi, breakfast, free parking and free internet. Can’t beat the price!

Cheap and Free Things to Do in Lake Tahoe

1.) Take a Walk: The best free thing of them all - and one of the reasons Lake Tahoe is so popular… the beautiful hiking trails offered! Grab the kids and enjoy the great outdoors on one of the many Lake Tahoe hiking trails. Go get lost in the wilderness and enjoy some time exploring America’s playground.

2.) Take a Dip: The water is pretty chilly, but in the next few months the summer sun will be shining and the Lake will start to look mighty inviting. Many hotels offer free memberships to private beaches along the Lake, so be sure to stay at the right hotel! Or enjoy one of the many public beaches in Lake Tahoe.

3.) Watch the Sunset: One of the best free gifts Mother Nature can give us - a Lake Tahoe sunset. There is no place in the world more beautiful than Lake Tahoe, and combined with a sunset there is a possibility of having a beauty overdose. Find the best places to watch the sunset here: http://www.tahoesbest.com/where-watch-sunset-lake-tahoe

4.) Rent a Bicycle: The best way to get around South Lake Tahoe - by renting a bike from Anderson’s Bicycle Rental! Anderson’s Bicycle Rental sits at the very beginning of a beautiful forest trail, so grab the kids and get going! Plus they staff is super friendly and really makes you feel like part of the family. Anderson’s is our favorite type of Lake Tahoe business - family owned for 35 years and counting!