City: Incline Village, NV

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (775) 831-0494

Address: 2005 Nevada Highway 28

Description: One of the loveliest sections of shoreline and backcountry in the Lake Tahoe Basin is preserved for public use in Lake Tahoe–Nevada State Park. Extending along the east shore of Lake Tahoe south and east of Incline Village, the park encompasses miles of exquisite beach from Sand Harbor to Skunk Harbor, beautiful Spooner Lake at the junction of U.S. Highway 50 and NV 28, Cave Rock Marina about 7 miles north of Stateline, Nevada, and more than 13,000 acres of rugged forest in the Marlette/Hobart Backcountry near Spooner Summit. The variety of terrain offers limitless opportunities for outdoor fun. The crystal white-sand beach and vivid turquoise water at Sand Harbor (about 3 miles south of Incline Village) make it one of the most popular and picturesque playgrounds at Lake Tahoe. You can swim, sunbathe, picnic, hike, launch your boat, or just sit under a spreading Jeffrey pine and drink in one of the most beautiful views on Earth. The parking lot fills fast in the summer, so if you’re planning to spend the day, be sure to arrive early. It’s open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and the parking fee is $8 during summer and $4 the rest of the year. Be sure to stop by park headquarters, where you can pick up information about the park. Sand Harbor is also the site of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival (see The Arts chapter for details). About 2 miles north of Sand Harbor, you’ll find additional beach access at Hidden Beach, and more beach access at Memorial Point, which is about 1 mile north of Sand Harbor. About 2.5 miles south of Sand Harbor, you can park in the paved parking lot above the lake or along the road and walk into Chimney Beach, Secret Harbor, and Whale Beach. Hidden among huge boulders and enormous trees, numerous tiny coves along this stretch of shoreline offer secluded hideaways perfect for nude sunbathing. Just watch the sun on those least-exposed parts. About 2.5 miles farther south you can park along the highway and walk into Prey Meadows (ablaze with wildflowers in late spring and early summer) or plunge down to secluded and lovely Skunk Harbor. This unmarked trailhead is tucked off the lake side of the highway, and roadside parking is limited. Even though several parking lots serve these beaches, parking is usually a challenge along this section of NV 28. There’s limited parking along the road, but be sure to pay attention to the stretches with No Parking signs to avoid getting a ticket. To beat the crowds, try hitting the beach early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Cupped beneath heavily forested peaks, Spooner Lake offers hiking, biking, and catch-and-release fishing in summer. You can take a leisurely 2-mile stroll around the lake, strike out into the Marlette/Hobart Backcountry to Marlette Lake, pick up north- or southbound portions of the scenic Tahoe Rim Trail, as well as head off to other wilderness destinations (see the Recreation chapter for hiking and biking details). Parking fees are about $6. In winter Spooner Lake is a prime cross-country ski resort, featuring more than 80 kilometers of groomed trails (see the Winter Sports chapter for details). For more information on activities at Spooner Lake, visit www.spoonerlake.com.