How to Explore Breathtaking Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe: 7 Activities

Have you seen pictures of the crystal clear blue-green waters of Lake Tahoe with snow-capped mountains in the background? If you have, they might be pictures of Sand Harbor! In our opinion, Sand Harbor is one of Lake Tahoe’s most scenic locations.

Hiking, boating, kayaking, dining, and swimming are just a few of the fun options you have while visiting. Hopefully, you’ll get some nice bright blue sunny skies during your visit, unlike us! This is part of our guide on How to Visit and Hike Scenic Lake Tahoe: A 4-Day Itinerary.

Before You Venture Out

• When traveling to Sand Harbor, you will need to pay a fee.
  • Save your entrance fee receipt from Spooner Lake and apply it to the Sand Harbor Park entrance fee!
• Get to Sand Harbor early! During the summer months, parking areas can fill up very quickly.
• The Lake Tahoe area gets an intense amount of snow each year. Depending on weather conditions, some of the following activities may not be available.

Weather and General Safety

• Weather near Lake Tahoe can vary from day to day. In mid-June, most daytime temps are in the 60s and 70s and that is perfect hiking weather. That being said, Lake Tahoe may still be a bit cold for swimming.
• Carry plenty of snacks and water. Carry at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you are hiking. We like to pack PB&J and other snacks to eat around lunchtime on the trails.
• Always carry a first aid kit.
• Make a plan to tell at least one person where you plan to be on each day in case something happens.
• Reduce your risk by preparing and having the proper gear for all hikes you plan to complete. This means good shoes and proper hiking attire. No flip-flops!

Animal Safety at Lake Tahoe

• The Lake Tahoe area is home to many animals, including black bears, mountain lions, porcupines, marmots, coyotes, foxes, etc.
  • Review the steps to take if you encounter a black bear or mountain lion along the trail.
    • Recommendations could differ from park to park based on local bear behavior – check all signs at the trailhead before you start exploring.

7 Activities to Do at Sand Harbor

Hiking

First, take a hike on the Sand Point Nature Trail. This trail is a super short 0.3-mile trail around the Sand Harbor area. Sand Point Nature Trail offers the best views of the clear beautiful blue Lake Tahoe! Walk around the boardwalks and paved trails right on the edge of Lake Tahoe.

Second, take a hike on the Sand Harbor to Memorial Point Trail. Take the trail north on the shoreline toward Memorial Point. It’s about a mile round trip and offers expansive views of Lake Tahoe. This trail also explores the hidden beaches and rocky shores of the lake. There is a restroom located at Memorial Point.

Biking

Do you want to explore the most scenic bike path in the U.S.? Rent a bike and explore the Tahoe East Shore Trail. This is a paved 3-mile trail between Sand Harbor and Incline Village, offering breathtaking views of the area as you cruise on your bike. The best place to rent a bike is near Incline Village. You can also use this path as a walking trail.

➡️Read next: Spend a Morning at Van Sickle Bi-State Park.

Boating

The north side of the park offers a boat ramp for those with motorized boats. Along the south beach and shore area, non-motorized boaters can launch at this location. Please note that watercraft inspections are now required to help protect Lake Tahoe from invasive species.

Kayaking & Stand Up Paddleboarding

As noted above, non-motorized watercraft are welcome in Lake Tahoe. At the southern beach, you have the option to rent kayaks and/or Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs) to explore Lake Tahoe on the water. These are rented through Clearly Tahoe.

Rentals usually open up starting near Memorial Day, and opening hours are based on weather conditions. Clearly Tahoe rents sit-on-top kayaks, clear bottom kayaks, SUPs, transparent SUPs, pedal boats, canoes, and more! Remember, when getting in the water, it may be cold! Cold water shock is real and can be deadly.

Swimming

If the weather is warm enough, take a dip in the water or sunbathe on one of Sand Harbor’s beaches. The expansive southern beach has plenty of room to spread out and go for a swim. Additionally, unique rock formations and crystal clear water make for a great time to explore Lake Tahoe underwater. Just north of the Shakespeare Amphitheater lies Diver’s Cove. This is a dedicated area for snorkeling and SCUBA!

Dining

Sand Harbor is home to many picturesque picnic spots. Dine under the Jeffrey Pines with spectacular views of Lake Tahoe. Each site is complete with a picnic table for use. Propane-powered grills with on/off switches are allowed, but wood and charcoal fires are prohibited. Note that if a red flag warning is in place, ALL fires are prohibited.

Additionally, Sand Harbor is home to Kokanee Bar & Grill. This is a quick-service restaurant offering burgers, chicken, soft drinks, snacks, and cocktails.

Shakespeare at the Amphitheater

Every summer, Sand Harbor is home to the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. The festival offers shows every evening with gorgeous Lake Tahoe as a backdrop. Arrive early, eat, drink, and enjoy the show. Check the website for the schedule and ticket availability.

Where to Stay – Lake Tahoe

For a home base, we recommend staying in South Lake Tahoe, CA. This is a perfect spot! Here are some of the top accommodations:

• Marriott Grand Residence Club, Lake Tahoe – 1-3 bedroom options. We stayed here and LOVED it! Right at Heavenly Village with plenty of food and shopping options. Hop on the Heavenly Gondola right onsite. Book it right here on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Stardust Lodge – prime location right in the heart of the shopping and entertainment district, and free breakfast – you can’t go wrong there. Check it out here on Expedia.
• Basecamp South Lake Tahoe – on-site parking, rooftop terrace, and restaurant. Within walking distance to many restaurants and shopping areas. Get the details and compare rates on Expedia or Booking.com.
• Alder Inn – a family-owned and operated, quaint hotel. Contactless check-in featuring a text when your room is ready. Once ready, head there with no reason to wait until “check-in time!” Reserve your room on Expedia or Booking.com.

🧭 Looking for more fun and adventurous itineraries? Check them out here.

Final Thoughts

Although it was cloudy and rainy during our visit, Lake Tahoe’s water had a beautiful clear blue hue. We really enjoyed hiking around the Sand Point Nature Trail as this short walk had some of the most stunning views and photo opportunities. Unfortunately, due to the weather, we could not swim or rent any kayaks. We hope to return one day to swim and snorkel in this pristine location!