Lake Tahoe (Nevada Side)

The Nevada eastern shore of Lake Tahoe offers some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the American West, combining crystal-clear mountain water with granite boulder beaches, pine forests, and panoramic mountain views — all within Washoe and Douglas counties on the Nevada side of the state border. Lake Tahoe itself reaches depths of 1,645 feet, making it the second-deepest lake in the United States, and the water clarity routinely allows visibility of 70 feet or more. Sand Harbor State Park, accessible from Nevada Route 28 north of Incline Village, is consistently rated among the most beautiful lake beaches in the country: turquoise water against white sand, dramatic granite boulders sculpted by glaciers, and mountain views across the water to California. Summer timed-entry tickets for Sand Harbor must be purchased through Nevada State Parks' online reservation system, as the park sells out daily from June through August. The East Shore Trail, a 5-mile paved path from Sand Harbor to Chimney Beach, offers spectacular elevated views of the lake and is accessible by a free shuttle from the Spooner Summit junction during summer months. Kayak, paddleboard, and water sports equipment rental is available at Sand Harbor and at Crystal Bay. The Nevada side of the lake also includes several casino resorts at Crystal Bay and Incline Village — a distinctly different experience from the California shore — and provides easy access to Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe and Diamond Peak Ski Resort during the winter months. For those interested in the lake's western side, the Nevada-California border runs directly through Crystal Bay, making day trips to South Lake Tahoe straightforward. Wildlife on the Nevada shore includes mule deer, black bears (food storage requirements are enforced at all campgrounds), osprey, and Steller's jays.