Lake Tahoe Adventures is the Aramark-operated tour company that runs the Rubicon Tour and Ridge Run Tour. They're the primary guided ATV/UTV operator on the South Shore and West Shore of Lake Tahoe. This page covers who they are, what they do, where they're based, and what past riders have said.
About Lake Tahoe Adventures
Lake Tahoe Adventures operates as part of Aramark's Lake Tahoe portfolio, which includes Zephyr Cove Resort on the East Shore and several other concession-managed Lake Tahoe properties. The off-road tour operation is permitted under the US Forest Service's commercial use authorization for the Eldorado National Forest.
The company runs from two trailheads:
- Tahoma trailhead (West Shore) — origin point for the Rubicon Tour
- Hope Valley trailhead (south of the Tahoe basin) — origin point for the Ridge Run Tour
Tours operated by Lake Tahoe Adventures
Rubicon Tour
Two-hour guided experience on the legendary Rubicon Springs Trail. From $199. Full details →
Ridge Run Tour
Four-hour guided expedition through Carson Valley and the Pine Nut Mountain Range. From $299. Full details →
Contact and booking
- Phone: 800-490-3995
- Email: laketahoeadventures-customerservice@aramark.com
- Online booking: through the FareHarbor reservation system (linked from each tour page)
- Address: Tour check-in at trailhead (Tahoma or Hope Valley); operational office in Tahoma area
Vehicle fleet
Lake Tahoe Adventures runs a mixed fleet of ATVs and UTVs. Common vehicles include:
- Polaris Sportsman (single-rider ATVs)
- Polaris RZR (side-by-side UTVs, 2-seater and 4-seater)
- Honda Pioneer (utility-style UTVs)
- Various double-rider ATV configurations for adult+child passengers
All vehicles are professionally maintained, current-model-year or recent, and equipped with required safety features (kill switches, working brakes, intact lights and signals).
Review themes — what past riders say
Aggregated across Tripadvisor, Viator, Google Maps, and FareHarbor reviews. Full review analysis →
Most-cited positives
- Guide knowledge of trail history and geology
- Thorough safety briefing and practice loop
- Vehicle maintenance quality
- Scenic stops at the best photo viewpoints
- Customer service responsiveness pre-tour
Most-cited constructive notes
- Dust on late-summer rides
- Sun and altitude impact (bring sunscreen)
- Pace varies by group; private bookings recommended for groups with specific pace preferences
Aggregate rating
Across all platforms and tour types, Lake Tahoe Adventures averages 4.8 of 5 stars across 216+ verified reviews. Highest-rated experience is the Rubicon Tour (4.8 / 5 from 127 reviews); the Ridge Run Tour averages 4.7 / 5 from 89 reviews.
Safety record and certifications
- Permitted commercial operator under USFS Eldorado National Forest
- Commercial liability insurance through Aramark's master policy
- Guides typically certified in Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or higher
- All vehicles inspected pre-tour for mechanical safety
- Helmets meet DOT certification standards
How Lake Tahoe Adventures compares to other regional operators
Other guided off-road operators in the broader Tahoe region include Battleborn Powersports (Nevada side), Tahoe Powersports (various rental + tour offerings), and several Reno-area shops. Lake Tahoe Adventures is the only operator with consistent guided access to the iconic Rubicon Trail segments from the Tahoma trailhead.
For non-Rubicon riding in the broader region, Battleborn and others may offer comparable experiences in different terrain.