Sand Harbor
Incline Village, NV
Sand Harbor, part of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park south of Incline Village, is the lake's most famous beach: a 2,500 foot main beach of white sand, granite boulders, and water that shifts from green to turquoise to deep blue. Divers Cove sits beside it, and the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival plays here every summer.
The best water color on Lake Tahoe, but everyone knows it and the lot is often full before 10.
How we score beachesBike or walk in on the Tahoe East Shore Trail from Incline Village. When the lot closes because it's full, the trail is how locals still get in.
A state park day-use fee lot fills early on summer days, often by mid morning, and the gate closes when it's full.
Paved paths and a boardwalk connect the lot, visitor center, and main beach; the sand itself is soft.
Dogs are only allowed in the off-season (roughly mid October to mid April), on leash.
July and August are the peak, with the warmest water and the Shakespeare festival running at night. Winter visits are quiet and beautiful, with snow on the boulders.
This isn't one entrance, it's a stretch with a few. Here's where locals actually meet up.
Main Beach
The long sandy beach south of the visitor center, with the most room to spread out.
Get directions →Divers Cove
The rocky cove on the north side, favored by snorkelers and scuba divers for its underwater boulders.
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