Pope Beach
South Lake Tahoe, California · on Lake Tahoe
Verified · 3 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $10
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Pope Beach
Pope Beach is a developed, fee-based sandy swimming beach on the south shore of Lake Tahoe near South Lake Tahoe, California, roughly three miles west of town on Highway 89. More managed swim beach than backwoods swimming hole, it sits within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (managed under U.S. Forest Service permit) near the historic Pope Estate/Tallac Historic Site, and it is one of the most visited places to swim on the lake's south shore.
The beach runs for close to three-quarters of a mile along Lake Tahoe's southern shoreline, with views across the lake to the surrounding Sierra Nevada peaks. It lies adjacent to the Tallac Historic Site and the Pope Estate, and is connected to nearby Kiva and Baldwin beaches by the Pope-Baldwin Bike Path.
Swimming at Pope Beach
Swimming is a stated primary activity at the beach, in the open, cold, clear water of Lake Tahoe off a broad sandy shoreline; kayak rentals are also available on site for those wanting to get out on the lake.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located about 3 miles west of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89 (Emerald Bay Road); also reachable by bicycle via the Pope/Baldwin Bike Path from the Camp Richardson/Tahoe Keys area.
Parking: On-site day-use parking lot at the beach; the beach is also accessible by bike via the Pope/Baldwin Bike Path.
The hike in
Drive-up/park-and-walk beach: parking lot sits at the beach itself, so it is a short walk (well under 5 minutes) from car to sand with no trail required. The Pope-Baldwin Bike Path (paved, flat, multi-use) connects the lot to Kiva Beach, Baldwin Beach, and Camp Richardson for those arriving on foot or bike instead of by car.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Broad, gently sloping sandy beach gives an easy shallow entry good for kids, but Lake Tahoe's water stays very cold year-round and the official Visit Lake Tahoe listing specifically warns that 'sudden storms and unexpected waves deserve respect'; no lifeguards are mentioned at this beach, so young children should be supervised closely.
Parking
Paid, $10 (day-use entry fee, per vehicle, covers parking and beach access)
On-site day-use parking lot directly at the beach off Emerald Bay Road (Hwy 89); the beach is also reachable by bike via the paved Pope-Baldwin Bike Path from Camp Richardson/Tahoe Keys, avoiding the lot entirely. Exact lot size/capacity not stated in sources found.
On the water
Restrictions: No official restriction found specifically for Pope Beach, but it is a swim beach rather than a boat launch/marina, so use is oriented toward carry-in kayaks/SUPs rather than trailered motorboats or jet skis at this exact spot.
Kayak Tahoe (rental outfitter) runs an on-site rental location at Pope Beach itself; motorized boat and jet ski rentals are available at the nearby Camp Richardson Marina (~0.8 mi away) rather than at Pope Beach directly.
Rentals nearby
On-site kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals directly at Pope Beach (one of the outfitter's four south-shore locations, along with Baldwin Beach, Nevada Beach, and Vikingsholm/Emerald Bay); rentals include life vest, paddle, backrest/leash, and instruction
Prices: Single kayak: $40/hr, $50/2hrs, $110/full day; Double kayak: $55/hr, $85/2hrs, $130/full day; Paddleboard: $40/hr, $50/2hrs, $110/full day
On site at Pope Beach · Daily (weather permitting), 10am-5pm, last rentals out by 3:45-4pm; first-come first-served, no reservations; minimum age 4 and 30 lbs
Motorboats, jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, and beach toys; also runs the guided Rum Runner Cruise and a Vikingsholm/Emerald Bay cruise-and-tour package
Prices: Rum Runner Cruise from $94; Vikingsholm Cruise & Tour package from $115.54 (per-rental kayak/SUP/jet ski pricing not published on the page found)
Camp Richardson Resort, about 0.8 mi from Pope Beach
Backstory
Pope Beach adjoins the Pope Estate within the Tallac Historic Site, a U.S. Forest Service-administered historic area on Lake Tahoe's south shore.
Pope Beach: FAQ
Does Pope Beach charge a fee?
$10 entry/day-use fee (per Visit Lake Tahoe listing).
Is Pope Beach kid friendly?
Broad, gently sloping sandy beach gives an easy shallow entry good for kids, but Lake Tahoe's water stays very cold year-round and the official Visit Lake Tahoe listing specifically warns that 'sudden storms and unexpected waves deserve respect'; no lifeguards are mentioned at this beach, so young children should be supervised closely.
Do I need to hike to reach Pope Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Pope Beach?
On-site day-use parking lot directly at the beach off Emerald Bay Road (Hwy 89); the beach is also reachable by bike via the paved Pope-Baldwin Bike Path from Camp Richardson/Tahoe Keys, avoiding the lot entirely. Exact lot size/capacity not stated in sources found.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Pope Beach?
Kayak Tahoe (rental outfitter) runs an on-site rental location at Pope Beach itself; motorized boat and jet ski rentals are available at the nearby Camp Richardson Marina (~0.8 mi away) rather than at Pope Beach directly.
What are the rules at Pope Beach?
Dogs are prohibited; charcoal grills are not allowed (propane grills are permitted); campfires are never allowed on Tahoe beaches; anglers 16 and older need a valid California or Nevada fishing license; boats must be fully cleaned before launching.
What water body is Pope Beach on?
Pope Beach is on Lake Tahoe, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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