Please refer to the appropriate state water quality agency website (California, Nevada) before heading out to your favorite beach, lake, or river to check for algae watches, warnings, or dangers.

Boca Reservoir

An easy 15 minutes drive east of Truckee on Interstate 80 brings you to Boca reservoir, a popular spot for water recreation of all kinds. Drive right up to the water’s edge on the eastern shore and launch a kayak or paddleboard, or swim, have a picnic, or play toss a tennis ball around with […]

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Prosser Reservoir

Just ten minutes north of Truckee, Prosser Reservoir is a beautiful lake area in the Tahoe National Forest. Its sprawling shoreline is popular for canoeing, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. Beach areas depend on lake level and can vary throughout the summer. Boat launch directions: https://goo.gl/maps/5PB8ss5XLJaYF1Sq9 Photo credit: Paul Hamill

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Donner Memorial State Park Beaches

Situated on the southeast portion of Donner Lake, Donner Memorial State Park features beautiful beaches, boat rentals, hiking, interpretive paths, and a visitor center that details the history of the Donner Party, indigenous peoples, the Transcontinental Railroad and more. With its shimmering shores and stunning views of Donner Summit, the park is a highlight of […]

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West End Beach Park

Located on the beautiful shores of Donner Lake, this 12-acre day-use beach offers plenty of amenities in a peaceful setting, surrounded by mountains. The beach offers plenty of family-friendly features including playgrounds, picnic benches, a sandy beach with shallow water, and a swim area supervised by American Red Cross Certified Lifeguards.

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Tahoe Vista Recreation Area

The Tahoe Vista Boat Ramp is OPEN FOR THE SEASON! See details below and online at ntpud.org Tahoe Vista Recreation Area (TVRA) is a sandy beach with restrooms, plaza, roped swim area, restrooms, and boat launch. The site contains a shady picnic grove with clusters of tables.  A parking lot (entrance on National Avenue) provides […]

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Lake Forest Beach (Bristlecone)

Lake Forest Beach Park, offering an incredible view of the lake, is located at the end of Bristlecone Avenue off of Lake Forest Rd in Tahoe City, CA. Lake Forest Beach Park is a popular spot for swimming, sightseeing, bird watching, picnicking, and kayaking, paddleboarding, and windsurfing. Limited parking is available.  www.tcpud.org  

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Sugar Pine Point

The beach at Sugar Pine Point State Park is primarily sand, and is located within the historic zone, near the popular Pine Lodge mansion.  Its size varies with the  water level of Lake Tahoe. Two portions of the beach are located north and south of the mouth of General Creek. The north portion is accessed […]

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D. L. Bliss/Lester Beach

“Bliss Beach” is a beautiful, popular beach located within DL Bliss State Park. It is composed of two parts: the north portion is known as “Lester Beach” and the south portion is known as “Callawee Cove”. This area is the northern portal to the famous Rubicon Wall, one of the deepest portions of Lake Tahoe, […]

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Emerald Bay Beach and Underwater Park

Emerald Bay’s spectacular beaches are accessed via the Rubicon Hiking Trail or by boat. Parking for the trail is located at Eagle Point Campground to the south, DL Bliss State Park to the north, and the Vikingsholm Parking Lot on the west end of Emerald Bay. The trail down to the beach is steep and not recommended for […]

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Camp Richardson Resort Beach

Camp Richardson Resort beach stretches for one-quarter mile and offers great views of Cave Rock, Heavenly Mountain Resort and the East Shore. The resort offers a lakefront restaurant, where a satisfying menu of food and drinks accompanies the breathtaking views. The Camp Richardson Marina operates in the summer offering boat, jet ski, kayak, SUP, and […]

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