10 Dog Friendly Beaches in Lake Tahoe

If you’re vacationing with your dog in the area, you’re probably looking for Lake Tahoe dog friendly beaches.

Well, you’re in luck! I combed the internet for weeks and came up with this list.

Remember to respect other beach visitors and help keep the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe beautiful by always following posted rules (dogs must be on leash unless stated otherwise), respecting marine habitats, and packing out your trash (including dog poop).

Be aware that the lake level can vary by season and from year to year based on the snowfall.

Some years a beach may appear large while the shoreline could be virtually non existent the next year.

Unless noted, beaches are open year-round as far as I am aware.

Dog Friendly Beaches South Lake Tahoe

During our visit, we tried to stop by all of the South Lake Tahoe dog beaches.

1) Kiva Beach

Kiva beach in South Lake Tahoe was our favorite. It has a great view that is magical at sunrise.

When we were there, the beach was a mix of rocks and sand but I hear that the terrain can depend on what year and season you visit.

I guess sometimes the sand has been washed away, leaving only cobblestones.

Kiva beach is on the west side of the lake adjacent to the Tallac Historic Site.

Note: Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the gorgeous, sandy Baldwin Beach adjacent to Kiva Beach on the west side.

During the late fall to early spring season, the gate to the Kiva Beach and Tallac Historic Site is closed. You’ll have to park in one of the limited spaces on the side of the highway and walk in.

2) Nevada Beach

Nevada Beach is dog friendly but only on the south portion near the Tahoe Beach Club.

There is very clear signage – and even dog prints painted on the asphalt – directing you to the portion of the beach where dogs are allowed.

Nevada Beach is sandy and there is one bench there to sit on.

It’s a great place to watch the sunset with your pooch but be aware the dog friendly portion of the beach is very small so it can be very crowded.

During the late fall to early spring season, the Nevada Beach campground is closed so you will have to park along the street outside of the gate and walk to the beach.

It’s probably about a mile or so one way, although I didn’t track the distance when we walked it.

3) North Beach at Zephyr Cove Resort

The beach at Zephyr Cove is dog friendly but only north of the dock at Zephyr Cove Marina.

This sandy beach wasn’t very wide when were there, and we only walked a short distance to the rock formation, but it’s one of the best non-rocky beaches on the east side of South Lake Tahoe.

Bonus: You can stay right near this beach so you can take your dog for a morning or sunset beach stroll without having to drive anywhere.

If you are looking for pet friendly cabins at Lake Tahoe, the Zephyr Cove Resort might be your place.

Each cabin has a full kitchen, or kitchenette, a picnic table, and a fire pit.

4) Regan Beach

Dogs are permitted off leash at this beach but must be under strict voice control at all times.

Your furry friend is only allowed in the dog water park section of the beach near the entrance to the park (east end of the beach).

Regan Beach, South Lake Tahoe’s oldest beach facility, offers great views of the lake.

It’s open to the public April 1 – April 30 from 7am to 4pm and May 1 – September from 6:30am – 9:30pm (weather permitting)

Dog Friendly Beaches North Lake Tahoe

I actually haven’t visited North Lake Tahoe but I wanted to be prepared for when I do so I sought out all of the north Lake Tahoe dog beaches I could find.

5) Blackwood Canyon/Kaspian

The beach at Blackwood Canyon – often called Kaspian – is actually located about half way along the west shore of Lake Tahoe so it’s equally accessed from the north and south portions of the lake.

I’m including it on my “north dog beach” list though because most people staying in South Lake Tahoe may not venture that far north because there is so much to do there.

It has a pebbly shoreline.

Blackwood Canyon, across the highway from the beach, is the only state managed sno-park on Lake Tahoe’s north shore.

It’s a wonderful place for cross-country skiing snowshoeing, and dog sledding in winter. The top of the pass offers scenic views of the canyon below.

6) Coon Street Dog Beach

Coon Street Dog Beach is located on the east end of Kings Beach at the corner of Coon Street and Highway 28.

Dogs are allowed only on the rocky part of the beach south of the boat launch (be sure to check the signs to make sure you’re in the right place).

Warning: Although this is the most accessible dog beach in north Lake Tahoe, several articles and reviews I read mentioned how rocky it is.

One review described the Coon Street Dog Beach as “a pile of rocks” and noted how difficult it was for his senior dog to walk on.

Another reviewer said, “I’m shocked they even call this a “beach”….it’s basically three picnic table and all rocks on the shoreline. My pups [hurt]… their poor paws from all the rocky terrain!”

It cost $10 to park at Kings Beach but I read there was free parking a short walk away.

7) Carnelian West Beach

Carnelian West is a wide, flat, but pebbly beach.

The parking is free and shares space with a popular restaurant.

There ae benches, picnic tables, and barbeques there.

Leashed dogs are allowed on the eastern portion of Patton Beach at Waterman’s Landing, which is not far from this one, but I’m not giving it a separate callout because it appears to be small and rocky.

8) Skylandia State Park & Beach

Note: A reader reported on 10/10/2021 that dogs aren’t allowed at Skylandia beach anymore.

Skylandia Park and Beach is still fairly unknown in the summer and doesn’t get as crowded as other beaches.

Dogs can run off leash here (as long as they are under voice control) in the fall and winter months but must be on leash the rest of the year.

It’s noted in several articles that, “Pets are permitted only on dog-friendly beaches at Skylandia” so the assumption is that they are only allowed on part, or parts, of the beach.

9) Lake Forest Beach

Dogs are allowed on the western end of the beach.

From the photos I’ve seen, it looks like a flat, sandy beach. I’m not positive what I was looking at was the west end of the beach though.

There are picnic tables and barbecuing areas right next to the public beach with a great view of the lake.

10) Bonsai Rock

I am mentioning Bonsai Rock beach because it’s one of the most popular, and Instagrammed, beaches in south Lake Tahoe and dogs are technically allowed there.

However, getting there may prove challenging. While it’s apparently only a few yards from the highway to Bonsai Beaach, it’s steep and rocky.

In photos, the “beach” itself appears to be made up of very large granite boulders.

But if you and your dog are adventurous and in good shape, it might make for an awesome photo.

Choose Your Own Dog Beach Adventure

On the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, I’m told you can pull off almost anywhere and find a pocket cove to walk or hike into.

Besides the ones I’ve listed above, beaches along the northwest shore you may want to scope out are:

  • Secret Cove – Secret Cove is listed as nude beach for those interested in partaking or that want to avoid it because of that. It is a bit of a scramble to get to, it’s very popular and parking is limited.
  • Chimney Beach – It’s a half mile walk (each way) to this beach with sweeping views of Lake Tahoe, boulder outcroppings, sandy areas, and crystal clear water. Apparently there can be nude sunbathers here sometimes too if you stray from the immediate area of Chimney Beach.
  • Hidden Beach

Do note that parking is very limited and fill up fast for these beaches.

For more on where to eat and stay, and for other things to do in the area, read our guide to dog friendly South Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley.

Whether you were looking for a dog beach in south Lake Tahoe or North Lake Tahoe, hopefully my comprehensive list is enough to keep you and your dog busy.

A list of the best dog friendly beaches in lake Tahoe

About the Author

Hi, I’m Jessica. I’m a Dachshund sitter, President of the largest social Dachshund club in Washington State, a dog trainer in training, and I’ve been a Dachshund owner for 20 years. I have over 150,000 hours of experience with the breed. When I’m not working, you can find me hiking, camping, and traveling with my adventurous wiener dogs.

6 Comments

  1. Amazing suggestions, Jessica! I don’t want to be the one talking about doom and gloom. But, it is important to be careful about things that can harm your dog at the beach, such as sunburn, riptides, jellyfish, broken glass, sharp shells, and aggressive dogs.

    1. Hi Paul. Yes, good points. Since this is not a comprehensive article about everything dogs and beach, I didn’t include that information.

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