Looking to spend some quality beach time with your dog at Lake Tahoe’s South Shore? We’ve scouted out the spots where your pup is welcome to romp in the sand and dip a paw in the Big Blue. Here are some of the best dog-friendly beaches in Lake Tahoe:
• Kiva Beach, South Lake Tahoe. This is the best-known dog beach on the South Shore and for good reason. It’s long, and in low-precipitation years, when the water level is low, it’s sandy. The downside: although it’s a forest service beach, city rules and regulations call for dogs to be leashed, even in the water. Be forewarned that a lot of time and manpower is expended in enforcing the rule. That said, the beach is gorgeous and the leash rule keeps things orderly, so it is still a great spot for a walk along the shore with your dog. Parking fills up fast on summer weekends, so aim for an early arrival or a weekday visit.
• Regan Memorial City Beach, South Lake Tahoe. Few Tahoe day-trippers seem to know about this dog-friendly strip of sand tucked away in one of South Lake Tahoe’s oldest neighborhoods. The grassy knoll on the west end is a popular location for weddings, so be sure you and your rambunctious pal keep your distance if a ceremony is being staged. Dogs are allowed, leashed or unleashed (but under voice control) on the east end of the city-owned beach park. The off-leash section is sandy and wide enough for a good game of fetch, and the water is shallow for a good stretch from shore, which is reassuring for dogs who are still getting used to lake swimming.
• Nevada Beach, Zephyr Cove. It’s about a mile hike to reach the dog-friendly segment of this wide, sandy beach about five miles north of South Lake Tahoe/Stateline, but it’s worth the effort. This “locals’ secret” strand is wedged between a no-dogs-allowed campground beach to the north and a private beach to the south. To find it, park in the lot on the northwest corner of Highway 50 and Kahle Drive and start walking down the bike trail. Go left at a sign pointing to beach access to the left, and campground to the right. Just after passing a pumping station, look for a trail to the right and follow it to dog-friendly sand. The walk in doubles as a warm-up for your dog, and the payoff is a stretch of beach that never feels as crowded as the more accessible spots.
• Zephyr Cove Beach, Zephyr Cove. Dogs aren’t allowed on the sandy part of the beach, but the two of you are welcome to explore the rocky area to the north. Bring water shoes or sturdy sandals to navigate the territory. The water is crystal-clear, and you can climb to the top of a boulder and enjoy the views or let your dog fetch sticks to their heart’s content. The rocks create little sheltered pools that smaller dogs especially seem to enjoy, and the views across to the West Shore mountains are spectacular from this vantage point.
