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
Nevada Beach and Campground, a part of the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, is a great place to camp at Tahoe. The site possesses a forest of pine trees set back from the water and is usually serene compared to other Tahoe beaches. Visitors with or without RVs can pay to use the overnight campground, which offers barbecue grills, picnic tables, fire rings,...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
North Tahoe Beach is a large offering for free public access to Lake Tahoe and includes parking. Almost 3 acres with nearly 600 feet of shoreline, the park has a multitude of amenities to offer. There are three beach volleyball courts, a horseshoe pit (although you do need to bring your own horseshoes), barbecue grills and picnic tables available for use. For large parties of...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Patton Landing Beach is a pebbly version of Lake Tahoe shoreline. A free public beach that offers picnic tables and summer-only bathrooms, the park also has free parking and a car-top boat launch. To help with the fun factor, Waterman's Landing Beach Cafe adjoins the free public beach and offers yummy treats and delicious drinks as well as kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals. This is...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Pebble Beach, otherwise known as Dog Beach (or lesser known as Elizabeth Williams Beach), is a small strip of Lake Tahoe shoreline with a park-like setting that is legal for canines. North by a few miles of the U.S. Forest Service Kaspian Campground (approximately 4 miles south of Tahoe City), the beach is extremely easy to access. Although close to Highway 89 and the bike...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Pope Beach, a part of the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, is a wonderful place to spend the day with or without kids. The $10 (subject to change) per vehicle fee and pet prohibition keep some folks away, so it tends to not be as crowded as some other Tahoe beaches. Visitors can make use of picnic tables and restrooms are available. Although there...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Regan Beach is a great place to take the whole family for the afternoon. It has a playground and swings for the kids and a dog-friendly portion of the beach to walk your furry friend. There is also a large section of grass for the kids to run around, restrooms and a small seasonal cafe for when everyone gets hungry. Visitors can take advantage of...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Round Pines is a great beach for those who like a lot going on but also like a beach that is tucked away. Not only does it have a deli and a bar, but it also has a wonderful selection of available water-activity rentals, including boats, Jet Skis, kayaks, paddleboards and pedal boats. Visitors can also choose to go parasailing, play volleyball, swim in the...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Three miles south of Incline Village on State Highway 28, Sand Harbor has a variety of natural features that you can spend an entire day exploring. You can hike several trails down the shoreline or off into the woods. You can rock-hop, scrambling across the giant boulders that extend out into the lake. You can rent a kayak or standup paddleboard to float down to...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Sandy Beach is a beautiful yet tiny piece of free public beach access in Tahoe Vista. Near the Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort, this sandy beach provides views looking up Lake Tahoe toward Mount Tallac, creating a stunning perspective. The beach is outfitted with garbage cans year-round, and portable bathrooms are added in the summer. A bonus to this beach is that there are picnic tables and...read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Secline Beach is an often-missed section of sandy beach that you'll find right as you're coming into Kings Beach; it's behind the Transam gas station. It's a nice beach with picnic tables, grills and shady spots. There is no fee for entry as there are no designated places to park or gated areas. There are garbage dispensers and portable bathrooms available. This is a good...read more
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Lake Tahoe Beaches
Secret Cove is a secluded nudist beach that is off the same trail system that accesses Chimney Beach. On the east shore of Lake Tahoe on Highway 89, 2.6 miles from Sand Harbor, the trailhead to Secret Cove is found to the right of the free public parking. The trail is steep at first and then mellows out to a gentle 3/4-mile of single track....read more
Lake Tahoe Beaches
If you enjoy the serenity and fun that the state parks provide on the California side of the Lake Tahoe area, then you can thank Sierra State Parks Foundation. Founded in 1974, the foundation is a nonprofit supporting eight different parks around the western side of the region: D.L. Bliss State Park, Donner Memorial State Park, Emerald Bay State Park, Kings Beach State Recreation Area, Sugar Pine...read more
