Visiting one of our many beaches is one of the most popular things to do in Tahoe since Lake Tahoe has a 72-mile perimeter, and its beaches dot around it like pearls. Though the water doesn't get to exactly balmy temps, beach-going is still a favorite thing to do in Tahoe. Rumor has it that there's even a nude beach somewhere around here!
Featured for Your Visit
Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District
Lake Tahoe Beaches
15962 South Shore Drive, Truckee, CA
Lake Tahoe, 15 minutes away, gets all the attention, but Truckee has a gem of its own: Donner Lake. While not as big and broad as Big Blue, Donner Lake offers up a good bit of watery fun too. One of the best places to access Donner is West End Beach. In summer months, there is a modest admission fee to enter the 10-acre west end area, but the sandy beach and roped-off, kid-friendly swim area is the place to take youngsters to build sand castles and splash in the water all under the watch of life guards. Operated by the Truckee Donner Park and Recreation Department, West End Beach also has paddleboards, kayaks and pedal boats available to rent. There is plenty of fun on the beach area: two playgrounds for kids to get their kicks on, a sand volleyball court, tennis court and horseshoe pits. A snack bar serves up soft drinks, hot dogs and ice cream. Get there early and stake out a picnic table and grill. There are shady group picnic areas available by reservation.
Lake Tahoe, 15 minutes away, gets all the attention, but Truckee has a gem of its own: Donner Lake. While not as big and broad as Big Blue, Donner Lake offers up a good bit of watery fun too. One of the best places to access Donner is West End Beach. In summer months, there is a modest admission fee to enter the 10-acre west...read more
Lake Tahoe, 15 minutes away, gets all the attention, but Truckee has a gem of...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Carnelian Beach West is a nice sandy beach on the west side of Sierra Boat Company, located in Carnelian Bay. The free public beach is a little more than 500 feet in length. Free parking is available in the parking lot adjacent to Gar Woods Grill & Pier. This beach offers a few different amenities including a shoreline promenade, picnic tables, barbecue grills, public restrooms...read more
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Cave Rock is an esteemed part of Lake Tahoe. Considered sacred by the Washoe Indians, the 3 million-year-old rock formation is known as the Lady of the Lake due to the image of a woman's profile. Cave Rock is 3 miles south of Glenbrook on Highway 50, and the entrance to the park is just a few feet south of Cave Rock Tunnel. The small...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Chambers Landing Beach is a small, pebbly beach next to the historic and iconic Tahoe fine-dining restaurant Chambers Landing on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. The beach doesn't offer any amenities like garbage cans or bathrooms. It does, on the other hand, allow dogs. Parking is along the street only. read more
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Chimney Beach is one of the more spectacular beaches on Lake Tahoe. Located 2.6 miles south of Sand Harbor on Highway 28, it tends to be a little quieter than other beaches that are accessed via car as it is a bit of a hike to get to it. The mile-plus hike starts out to the right of the free parking area, with a steep...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Chimney Beach, a little off the beaten path on the east shore of Lake Tahoe, is a favorite for locals. Usually less crowded than the more commercial beaches, Chimney has a curving shoreline and large boulders that form a peninsula out into the water creating a small cove. Besides the main beach, featuring its namesake chimney (all that remains of a long-gone cabin), Chimney Beach...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Commons Beach is the community beach area and park for Tahoe City. A large grass space, public bathrooms, a children's outdoor jungle gym and swings as well as a paved bike path that leads to Meeks Bay and Squaw Valley make up the park portion of Commons Beach. Beyond the grass is a large sandy beach that frames Lake Tahoe. This is an excellent swimming...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Concerts at Commons Beach is a great evening outing for all ages and families. A grass amphitheater and beach host hundreds of people for this free, weekly summer concert series put on by the town of Tahoe City. Each Sunday's performances brings new music to the scene; sometimes it's salsa, other times the beat of jazz, bluegrass or country that gets the people dancing. Bands...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Coon Street Dog Beach and Boat Launch is in Kings Beach. Situated at the corner of Coon Street and Highway 28, this rocky public beach is option for both putting a boat in the water and for walking your dog. Dogs must be on a leash of 6-foot or shorter and in your control at all times. There are shaded picnic tables, public bathrooms and parking for regular cars as...read more
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Creek Beach is in a succession of beaches along the same trail network that connects Chimney Beach, Secret Cove, Boaters Beach and Whale Beach. Creek Beach is the third beach that one comes to after passing Secret Cove. To access the beach, park at the free public parking 2.6 miles south of Sand Harbor on Highway 89. Take the single track down a steep hill...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Founded on an ethos of sustainability, environmental stewardship and a legacy of luxury, Edgewood Tahoe Resort has risen from a world-class golf course to a world-class travel and business destination, offering guests access to unforgettable alpine experiences. Homesteaded more than 150 years ago by the rugged ranchers of the Park family, the lakefront property later became an original stop on the Pony Express. Set on 235...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
El Dorado Beach is right in the middle of the city of South Lake Tahoe and is the perfect place to stop and have lunch while taking in the view. Visitors can sit at one of the picnic tables at street level, relax on the grass, gaze at the lake from one of the many stone amphitheater-like benches that lead to the beach or make...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Fallen Leaf Campground, a part of the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, is located on National Forest lands and is an excellent place to enjoy the beauty of Tahoe while stepping away from the busy-ness that can sometimes occupy Lake Tahoe. Fallen Leaf Lake is adjacent to Lake Tahoe and offers a large trail network that accesses the top of Mt. Tallac as well...read more
