Tahoe under paws: Lake Tahoe dog beaches near me..

Tahoe under paws: Lake Tahoe dog beaches

Lake Tahoe—aka “Big Blue”—is Northern California’s favorite summer playground, but to enjoy it to the fullest with your dog, you’ll need to do your homework before heading up the hill. While there are quite a few Lake Tahoe dog beaches where you can stroll the shoreline with your pup on a leash, strands where you can legally let them run free are few and far between.

A locals’ favorite (shh! Don’t tell!) in South Shore is the sandy off-leash strand at the boat-in picnic area at the far end of Nevada Beach, a U.S. Forest Service preserve just north of Edgewood Golf Course and south of Zephyr Cove. Hike in from Highway 50 (there’s free if limited parking in the lot at Highway 50 and Kahle Drive, just north of the Lakeside Resort Casino) or pay to park your rig in the day-use area off Elk Point Road (arrive early on weekends!). From there, just follow the paw-print signs to this dog beach, where you’ll encounter dogs of every breed fetching sticks and balls from the crystalline water. The sand is soft and the water stays shallow for a good distance, so even cautious swimmers can wade in comfortably. Be sure to stay to the right of the fence demarcating private property and to the left of the nearest buoy, which marks the imaginary line separating the dog beach from the larger strand where dogs are not allowed.

Tahoe’s other off-leash dog beaches (including North Beach at Zephyr Cove, Coon Street Dog Beach and Patton Beach in Carnelian Bay) tend to be rocky, but they may also be more convenient to your lodging base. Rocky beaches have their own charm—dogs seem to love scrambling over boulders and exploring the little coves between them. And while the footing may not be so great for people, we’ve yet to hear a dog complain! Bring water shoes for yourself, and consider a doggy life jacket if your pup likes to swim out past the rocks into deeper water.

A few tips for a good day at any Tahoe dog beach: bring fresh water and a bowl, since lake water can upset some dogs’ stomachs; pack a towel for the car ride home, because sandy wet dogs and upholstery don’t mix; and arrive before 10 a.m. on weekends if you want a parking spot and a decent stretch of sand to yourselves.