Some awards are decided by judges. Others are decided by the people who actually experienced what you do. That’s why we’re incredibly honored to share that Lake Tahoe Balloons has been ranked No. 5 among the Best Hot Air Balloon Rides in America in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Even more humbling? Lake Tahoe Balloons was the only hot air balloon company in California to make the Top 10.
For a small family owned business that’s been sharing Lake Tahoe from above for decades, recognition like this has us floating a little higher.
Voted One of America’s Best Hot Air Balloon Rides
Each year, USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards begin with nominations from a panel of travel experts and editors. From there, the public gets to decide which experiences make the final list. In 2026, Lake Tahoe Balloons finished No. 5 in the country and was the only California balloon company to make the Top 10.
Finishing fifth in America is pretty darn exciting on its own, but representing California as the state’s only winner makes this one even more special.
Thank You to Everyone Who Voted
To everyone who cast a vote, flew with us, recommended us to family and friends, shared photos, or simply cheered us on, thank you. Every morning our crew arrives before sunrise to prepare for one of the most unique adventures anywhere in the world. Seeing your excitement as the balloon inflates, watching the first light illuminate the Sierra Nevada, and hearing that first “wow” as we lift off the deck of the Tahoe Flyer is something we never take for granted.
At the end of the day, this recognition belongs just as much to our guests as it does to our pilots and crew. You’re the reason we get to continue doing something we love in a place that never seems to lose its magic.
A Hot Air Balloon Flight Unlike Anywhere Else
There are incredible balloon rides throughout the country, but there’s only one place where your adventure begins on the deck of a boat. Lake Tahoe Balloons remains the world’s only hot air balloon operation that launches and lands from the deck of a specially designed balloon launch vessel, giving guests the chance to float above the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe with panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada, Emerald Bay, and the surrounding peaks.
It’s difficult to put the experience into words until you’ve actually been up there. The quiet, the sunrise, the lake stretching beneath you, and the sheer uniqueness of launching from the Tahoe Flyer all come together to create something many of our guests tell us becomes the highlight of their trip to Lake Tahoe.
Experience One of America’s Best Hot Air Balloon Rides
Whether you’re celebrating something special or simply crossing a hot air balloon flight off your bucket list, we want you to walk away with a memory you’ll be talking about for years. If you’ve been thinking about taking a hot air balloon ride over Lake Tahoe, come see for yourself why readers across the country voted Lake Tahoe Balloons one of America’s best. As the only California balloon company to make the 2026 Top 10, we’re incredibly proud of the recognition and even more excited to keep sharing this unforgettable perspective of Tahoe with our guests.
Book your Lake Tahoe balloon flight and experience Tahoe from an entirely different perspective.
