 Listed in our files below are many wonderful beaches along the shores of Lake Tahoe which range from the happening, crowded spots with all the amenities to the pristine and secluded where you can actually be alone. Access by boat to these beaches ranges from easy and safe to downright tricky. For advice on boating in use the Beach Access tab below. Some beaches have restricted areas for swimming inside of which boats are not allowed, but those should be well marked.
Where noted below some locations may have day use moorings or short term dock space for boaters wishing to go ashore there. Call ahead for availability. Most beaches have public restrooms but none have lifeguards unless otherwise noted.
For waypoints (coordinates for GPS use) of all beaches, click here.
Connolly Beach
Located on Hwy. 50 at Timber Cove Lodge
Boat Launch Nearby
El Dorado Beach
(free)
Hwy. 50 and Lakeview Ave. with public boat launching and parking.
No alcoholic beverages allowed.
Reagan Beach
(free)
Off Lakeview Ave. in South Lake Tahoe by Sacramento Ave.
Open all the time-no gate.
No dogs, fires, or alcoholic beverages allowed.
Pope Beach
(USFS -$3.00 in quarters/dollars per car, boaters free)
Off Hwy. 89 North of Y. Hours 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Alcoholic beverages allowed, but no bottles.
Kiva Beach
(USFS -free)
Off Hwy. 89 North of Y. Open sunrise to sunset.
Alcoholic beverages allowed, but no bottles.
Camp Richardson Beach
Located on Hwy. 89, 2.5 mi. N. of "The Y", South Lake Tahoe
Picnic Areas, Firepits, Playground
Boat Rentals, Food, Paved Bicycle Path & Rentals Nearby.
Operated by US Forest Service (530) 573-2674
Baldwin Beach
(USFS -$3.00 in quarters/dollars per car, boaters free)
Off Hwy. 89 North of Y. Hours 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
Alcoholic Beverages Allowed (no bottles); No Dogs Allowed
All those beaches listed above have BBQ facilities and public restrooms.
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Coon St. Boat Launch & Picnic Area
Located the East End of Kings Beach
Has Restrooms, Picnic Areas, Boat Launch, $10 Parking fee
Operated by North Tahoe Public Util. Dist. (530) 546-4212
Kings Beach State Recreational Area
Located at the Center of Kings Beach
Has Restrooms, Picnic Areas, Firepits, Playground, Parking fee
Operated by North Tahoe Public Util. Dist. (530) 546-4212
Lake Forest Beach
Located 1 mi. East of Tahoe City
Has Restrooms, Picnic Areas, Firepits, Boat Launch Nearby
Operated by Tahoe City Public Util. Dist. (530) 583-5544
Moondunes Beach
Located in Tahoe Vista near Pino Grande
Has Picnic Areas, Firepits, 600' Swimming Beach, No Restrooms
Operated by North Tahoe Public Util. Dist. (530) 546-4212
North Tahoe Beach
Located in Kings Beach, Hwy 267 & 28
Has Restrooms, Picnic Areas, Sand Volleyball Courts
Secline Beach
Located at the End of Secline St., Kings Beach
Has Picnic Areas, 300' Beach, No Restrooms
Operated by North Tahoe Public Util. Dist. (530) 546-7248
Tahoe City Commons Beach
Located in the Center of Tahoe City, Sandy Beach w/Large, Grassy Area
Has Restrooms, Picnic Areas, Firepits, Playground
Operated by Tahoe City Public Utility Dist. (530) 583-5544
Tahoe Vista Recreation Area
Located at Hwy. 28 (N. Lake Blvd.) across from National Ave.
Has Restrooms, Boat Launch (fee), Picnic Area
Operated by North Tahoe Public Utility Dist. (530) 546-4212
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Emerald Bay State Park
Located in Emerald Bay
Has Restrooms, Picnic Areas, Firepits, Trails, Camping, Beach
Free pier for loading and unloading, Tours of the Vikingsholm
D.L. Bliss State Park (Lester Beach)
Located on Hwy. 89, South of Meeks Bay
Has Restrooms, Picnic Areas, Firepits, Trails, Camping, Beach
Meeks Bay Campground
Located 10 mi. South of Tahoe City
Has Restrooms, Picnic Areas, Firepits, Boat Launch, Sandy Beach, Fee
Operated by US Forest Service (530) 573-2674
Sugar Pine Point State Park
Located North of Meeks Bay
Has Restrooms, Picnic Areas, Firepits
Free Pier for loading and unloading, Tours of the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion
Kaspian Recreation Area
Located on Hwy 89, South of Sunnyside
Has Restrooms, Picnic Areas, Firepits
Campsites Across the Highway
Operated by US Forest Service (530) 573-2674
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Nevada Beach
Left on Elks Point Rd. off Hwy. 50, 1.5 miles north of Stateline
Round Hill Pines Beach
(USFS -$6/day parking per car)
Hwy. 50, 2.0 miles north of Stateline
Snack bar, swimming pool, full service bar, tennis court, volleyball court
No beverages from outside allowed
Jet ski and kayak rentals, parasailing
Boat Tie-up: Call (775) 588-3055
Zephyr Cove Beach
(USFS -$4/day parking)
Hwy. 50, 4.0 miles north of Stateline
Snack bar, full service bar, gift shop, restaurant, volleyball courts
Boat and jet ski rentals, parasailing
Sailing excursions, Emerald Bay cruises , fishing charters
Boat Tie-up: Call Zephyr Cove Marina at (775) 589-4908 or VHF 16
Skunk Harbor
(USFS -free)
Located approx. 1.5 miles north of the north point of Glenbrook Bay
No restrooms
Secret Harbor
(USFS -free)
Located approx. 2.5 miles north of the north point of Glenbrook Bay
No restrooms
Warning: Clothing Optional
Chimney Beach
(USFS -free)
Located approx. 3 miles north of the north point of Glenbrook Bay
(Look for freestanding stone chimney on the beach.)
No restrooms
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park (Sand Harbor)
Located approx. 3 miles south of Incline Village
Restrooms, Picnic Areas, Firepits, Cultural Events
Sandy Beach, Boat Launch Ramp, Lifeguards, Fee
For more information call (775) 831-0494. For photos click here.
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Lake Tahoe is usually very calm in the mornings permitting boaters a clear view of any underwater obstacles and to beach their boats safely at most of those locations listed here in our files. Generally speaking, the lake bottom directly off of the wider, sandy beaches will be sand as well, with few hazards.
For those concerned about sand abrasion damage to the bottom of their boat, set an anchor from the bow, back down toward the beach into water shallow enough to step off, and set a stern anchor on the beach. Performed properly, this anchoring arrangement will permit your boat to safely ride out light winds and the occasional passing boat wake, while permitting you easy access ashore with a short wade. In all cases, approach the beach with extreme caution and an eye out for underwater obstacles which will appear as dark objects against the light colored, sandy bottom.
The east shore (Nevada side) of the lake offers some of the nicest, largest beaches at Tahoe, and on the northeast some of the most secluded. However, in the early to mid-afternoons a west wind usually pipes up creating wave action along that east, or weather shore, which can make access to those beaches, as well as travel by boat, difficult at best. Surface conditions along the west, or lee shore, will remain relatively smooth on breezy afternoons, permitting continually comfortable travel by boat and easy access to those beaches throughout the day. On the rare days during the summer that the wind comes from an easterly direction, simply reverse the above rules.
Should you plan to explore the east shore of the lake in a small boat try to do that in the morning hours and simply keep your eye out for a dark blue wind line approaching from the west along the surface of the lake. If you head for the safety of your home port or the calmer waters of the west shore upon first sighting the wind line, your trip will be much smoother.
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Site created and maintained by Web Zeppelin.
Please contact us with any comments, suggestions, or corrections.
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