With a volume second only to the Great Lakes, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. This enormous lake is divided in two thirds by California and one third by Nevada. The 14,301-acre Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park encompasses the northeastern shoreline and wilderness of Lake Tahoe on the Nevada side. This area of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline and environs offers cross-country skiing in the winter, as well as fishing, boating, gorgeous beaches, and enjoyable walks. High alpine peaks such as Snow Valley and Marlette Peak alternate with meadows and aspen groves, alpine and sub-alpine lakes, and sandy beaches that are flat.

The summers of the Sierra Nevada are sunny and dry, and the winters are snowy and abundant. Its popularity should be taken into consideration before you schedule your trip. Despite the three miles of coastline, beaches can get somewhat busy because it’s a well-liked vacation spot for residents of Las Vegas.

Though they make up a modest portion of the park’s offerings, Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park’s beaches are well-known. Its backcountry is not just varied and rough, but practically a historical treasure. There are lots of different fishing spots.

Visit the Beach: With 2,500 feet of gorgeous, sandy beachfront dotted with dozens of umbrellas, Sand Harbour may be the greatest beach in Lake Tahoe. Sand Harbour has picnic tables, a nature trail, a boat launch, and a tourist center. In July and August, it is home to the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and has an outdoor concert pavilion. Keep in mind that the parking lot shuts when it fills up, so arrive early. This very popular beach opens at 7 a.m. Divers Cove, which is close to the Sand Harbour visitor center, is a well-liked location for SCUBA divers in Lake Tahoe, despite the often cool waters. Among other things, Sand Harbour Rentals provides stand-up paddleboards and kayaks.

An extensive system of short trails leads to a sandy shoreline at Hidden Beach. A elevated section of shore, Memorial Point offers breathtaking views of the white granite boulders of Lake Tahoe. Five minutes south of Sand Harbour is a place known as “Chimney Shore,” named for the chimney of an old settler’s hut that still stands on the shore. The road is just a short stroll away from the Chimney Beach Trail. Drive two miles south of Sand Harbour to Secret Cove, where the beach faces the partially submerged stones in the lake, if you wish to avoid the crowd.

Discover the Backcountry of Marlette and Hobart: Approximately 13,000 acres of forest with 50 miles of trails and dirt roads to explore can be found in the Marlette-Hobart Backcountry. This site was subsequently the location of the historic Virginia Gold Hill Water System, which delivered up to 10 million gallons of water daily to the nearby Comstock gold and silver mines. The Washoe tribe used this spot during their seasonal travel between the Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe. Currently listed as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places is the Marlette Lake Water System.

This section of the park contains a number of attractive lakes and reservoir areas that were built to supply Virginia City’s water system’s pipelines and flumes. Popular activities at Marlette Lake, Hobart Reservoir, and Spooner Lake include boating, fishing, and picnics. One of the most well-liked backcountry routes is the Flume Trail, which links to the Tahoe Rim Trail and provides views of Lake Tahoe. As you stroll among towering pines, you might spot native wildlife including woodpeckers, bald eagles, coyotes, mule deer, and bears.

The non-profit organization Nevada Nordic and Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park have teamed up to create a cross-country ski area in North Lake Tahoe that is sponsored by the local community. Donation-funded, well-kept routes can be found on the south side of Spooner Lake in Spooner Meadow and ascending North Canyon to Marlette Lake. These paths are free to use.

Drive It All: Starting at the Spooner Junction with US 50 (the Lincoln Highway), Nevada State Route 28 weaves its way down the beach and past the state park before approaching it from the northwest along the border. The journey continues for sixteen kilometers, passing through Sand Harbour, Memorial Point, and Hidden Bach before arriving at Incline Village. The trails and quiet spots that link to this scenic path make it well worth the drive, even though it can get crowded in the summer.