Sand Harbor Reservations Are Now Live: Here’s What You Need to Know

When you think of Lake Tahoe, images of Sand Harbor State Park probably come to mind. Its iconic crystal-clear turquoise waters, soft white sand beaches, views of surrounding snow-capped peaks and adventure-seekers on their boats, paddleboards and kayaks are what makes Sand Harbor an internationally sought-after destination.

You might also think of summertime crowds.

Sand Harbor is one of the most visited beaches in Lake Tahoe, and over the past few years it has seen a dramatic spike in tourism. This has led to overcrowding at the beach, significantly impacting the fragile ecosystem. The increase in traffic congestion has negatively impacted tourists and locals, especially those commuting to their jobs. Cars line up for miles just waiting for a chance to get into the park.

To alleviate traffic congestion, overcrowding in the park and various environmental issues, the Nevada Division of State Parks has recently implemented a trial reservation system for Sand Harbor, for holidays and weekends between August 17 and October 13.

You can now make online reservations online, which will be valid from the park’s opening time of 7 a.m., going through 10:30 a.m. After that admissions will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

However, many visitors like to spend the entire day at Sand Harbor, or at least most of the day until mid-afternoon. One tip I have for people who don’t get reservations is to make plans to try to come later in the afternoon or around sunset. Typically, in my experience, there are spots available. And Sand Harbor is a great place to watch the sunset over the mountains. The reflections on the lake are incredible, especially on a calm evening.

If you want to be at Sand Harbor during peak daylight hours, I strongly recommend getting there as early as possible (before opening) on a weekday. Even though the park opens at 7 a.m., visitors often arrive much earlier to get a spot in line. This year, I have heard of people waiting in line as early as 5 a.m.!

If you love walking or riding a bike, you can also park at the parking lot right next to Tunnel Creek Cafe in Incline Village and walk the East Shore Trail. This is paid parking, and there are stations where you can buy tickets. From there, the 3-mile walk will take you right into the park, and you will have a chance to see other points of interest, such as Hidden Beach, on the way. Make sure to bring water, food and whatever you may need for the duration of your day.

The Nevada Division of State Parks anticipates full reservations starting in April 2025. The system will then require weekend and weekday reservations as well for day-use permits. Same as this year, these will be in effect from 7 a.m. until 10:30 am, and then switching to a first-come, first-serve basis.

You can make reservations at reservenevada.com.

Tips for Enjoying Sand Harbor State Park

To help you get the best experience, I created a list of tips to save for your trip:

• Plan ahead. If you are hoping to enjoy Sand Harbor on an upcoming weekend or holiday, book your reservations early. If you are able to go on a weekday, make sure to get there before opening or try for later in the afternoon.
   
• Do you plan to spend most of your day in Sand Harbor? Pack all of the necessary items, such as food, water, towels and sunscreen, as it will most likely be very difficult to get back in the park if you leave. Make sure to bring a method of payment if you want to rent a kayak or paddleboard, which you can do right on the beach. I highly recommend exploring the lake this way! There are many beautiful rock formations to check out, such as the iconic Bonsai Rock.
   
•  Have a backup plan. If you didn’t get a permit, there are plenty of other beaches in Lake Tahoe to visit. I highly recommend checking out Meeks Bay, Baldwin Beach, Kiva Beach, Nevada Beach, Cave Rock Beach, Kings Beach, Patton Beach and Hidden Beach, to name a few! You can also check out other nearby lakes, such as Fallen Leaf Lake and Donner Lake. Make sure to plan accordingly for these excursions as well.
   
• You can still access Sand Harbor by foot or bike. If you would like to make it an adventure, you can access it from the East Shore Trail, which begins in Incline Village near the Tunnel Creek Cafe. It is about 3 miles each way, so plan the day accordingly. Get to the parking lot early, as that one gets full quickly as well. You will also have to pay for parking at the stations. I highly recommend getting a full-day pass to ensure you have time to explore everything without feeling stressed about time. If you want to add a little hike to your day, head up to Monkey Rock after your excursion to watch the sunset above the lake. The trail here starts right behind Tunnel Creek Cafe.
   
• Respect the land and the local residents and leave no trace. Pack out everything that you packed in. If you have trash, there are garbage and recycle bins around the park. And, if you see any trash, pick it up and throw it away. Let’s all do our part to keep the park clean for generations to come.

• Have fun! I hope you have the best time exploring one of my favorite spots in Tahoe and that my tips have helped you create a memorable day.

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