Nevada Beach Campground
Zephyr Cove, Nevada · Toiyabe National Forest
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $12 per vehicle
- SEASON
- May
About Nevada Beach Campground
Nevada Beach is an official U.S. Forest Service beach and campground on the east shore of Lake Tahoe, just north of Stateline, Nevada, within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (Toiyabe/LTBMU). One of the widest sandy beaches on the lake, it is explicitly promoted by the Forest Service and local tourism authorities as a swimming destination, less a tucked-away swimming hole than one of the broadest, most official places to swim on Tahoe's east shore.
The beach sits at about 6,100 feet elevation on Lake Tahoe's southeast shore, backed by a sparse pine and evergreen-shrub forest and a Forest Service campground. It offers panoramic views across the lake to the Sierra Nevada, and is roughly 2 miles north of Stateline, Nevada near the Roundhill Shopping Center off Highway 50.
Swimming at Nevada Beach Campground
Swimming is an official, designated activity at Nevada Beach in Lake Tahoe's clear, cold alpine water. The beach is described as less than a mile (per Recreation.gov) to a half mile (per local sources) long and wider than most other beaches on the lake, giving swimmers a broad sandy entry rather than a rocky one. Lake Tahoe water is notably cold year-round, so the swimming suits visitors prepared for brisk temperatures; sudden storms and wave action are called out as hazards to respect.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Stateline, Nevada, head about 2 miles north on US Highway 50 to Elks Point Road, roughly half a mile west of the Roundhill Shopping Center; the campground/day-use entrance is off Elks Point Road at 416 Bittler Road, Zephyr Cove, NV.
Parking: Day-use and campground parking is inside a gated, fee-collected area; campground parking spurs are paved, with vehicles restricted to designated camping spots.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up beach inside the Nevada Beach Campground/day-use area; visitors park in the paved lot and walk a short, flat, paved path to the sand. No trail or hike is required to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Nevada Beach is a wide, sandy, gradually-sloped beach (per USFS/tourism sources) that's easy for kids to walk into, and there's a paved accessible sidewalk from the parking area to picnic tables near the sand. However, no lifeguards are posted (not mentioned by any official source), and Lake Tahoe water is very cold year-round with USFS/Tahoe Public Beaches both flagging sudden storms and unexpected waves as hazards, so supervision is warranted.
Parking
Paid, $12/vehicle day-use (fee rises around July 4th weekend per USFS); camping is $47/night
Access is through a gated, fee-collected entrance off Elks Point Road; day-use and campground parking are on paved surfaces. The beach itself has a paved, accessible sidewalk connecting to picnic tables. No source gave an exact parking-to-water walk distance/time, but the beach is a short, flat walk from the lot -- no hike is involved.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets (including accessible flush toilets) are available in the campground/day-use area per the USFS page; Tahoe Public Beaches also lists public bathrooms onsite. Restrooms and trash service are shut off in winter when the gated area is closed (per Visit Lake Tahoe).
Hours
Gated, fee-collected access; open Memorial Day weekend through mid-October (matches campground's mid-May to mid-October season). Closed/no services in winter. Day-use attendants are on duty during operating hours.
On the water
Restrictions: Non-motorized boating is permitted per the USFS page. There is no boat-launch ramp -- only a small boat-in picnic area on the south end of the swimming beach for craft arriving by water. All boaters must completely clean, drain, and dry watercraft before launching to prevent spreading aquatic invasive species (per USFS and Tahoe Public Beaches).
Motorized personal watercraft (jet skis) and powerboats are available only from nearby marinas/rental outfits, not launched directly from Nevada Beach itself.
Rentals nearby
On-site kayak rentals and a food concession directly at Nevada Beach
Onsite at Nevada Beach Campground, Zephyr Cove, NV
Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, jet skis, powerboats (21-24' Sea Ray ski boats), and a 36' pontoon 'Weekender'
Prices: Kayaks $35/hr (1-person) or $45/hr (2-person); paddleboards $35/hr; jet skis $350 for 2 hrs (in-harbor); powerboats $399-$499 for 2 hrs; pontoon $1,325 (4 hrs) or $1,950 (8 hrs)
760 Highway 50, Zephyr Cove, NV -- a few miles south of Nevada Beach
Powerboats (18-26' open bow, pontoons, wake surf boats), jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, parasailing, charters
Prices: Kayaks $87-$105; paddleboards from $52; jet skis ~$179/hr; boats from $194 (excludes fuel and 8.5% marina fee)
900 Ski Run Blvd #103 and 2435 Venice Dr E #91, South Lake Tahoe, CA -- roughly 8-10 miles from Nevada Beach
Nevada Beach Campground: FAQ
Does Nevada Beach Campground charge a fee?
Day-use entry is $12 per vehicle (per Visit Lake Tahoe); overnight camping is listed at $47 per night plus a $2/night holiday surcharge (per Tahoe Public Beaches). Pavilion and campsite reservations are handled through Recreation.gov.
Is Nevada Beach Campground kid friendly?
Nevada Beach is a wide, sandy, gradually-sloped beach (per USFS/tourism sources) that's easy for kids to walk into, and there's a paved accessible sidewalk from the parking area to picnic tables near the sand. However, no lifeguards are posted (not mentioned by any official source), and Lake Tahoe water is very cold year-round with USFS/Tahoe Public Beaches both flagging sudden storms and unexpected waves as hazards, so supervision is warranted.
Do I need to hike to reach Nevada Beach Campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Nevada Beach Campground?
Access is through a gated, fee-collected entrance off Elks Point Road; day-use and campground parking are on paved surfaces. The beach itself has a paved, accessible sidewalk connecting to picnic tables. No source gave an exact parking-to-water walk distance/time, but the beach is a short, flat walk from the lot -- no hike is involved.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Nevada Beach Campground?
Motorized personal watercraft (jet skis) and powerboats are available only from nearby marinas/rental outfits, not launched directly from Nevada Beach itself.
When is the best time to visit Nevada Beach Campground?
Open Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, matching the campground's mid-May to mid-October operating season; restrooms and trash service are unavailable in winter.
What are the rules at Nevada Beach Campground?
No pets or campfires (wood or other solid fuel) allowed on the beach; leashed pets permitted in the campground but not on the beach or in picnic areas; charcoal grills banned (propane allowed); maximum 6 people and 2 vehicles per campsite; 14-day maximum stay; protected Tahoe yellow cress plant enclosures must be respected.
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