A beach day might not be the first thing you think of when you think of Nevada, but make no mistake, this sandy southwestern state is home to some of the best lake beaches in the country. Without further ado, here are the 10 best beaches in Nevada.
Nevada Beaches
Burnt Cedar Beach
Adjacent to the popular destination city of Incline Village, Burnt Cedar Beach is one of the first sandy stretches you’ll encounter along Lake Tahoe. The golden-white sands lead into gorgeous turquoise waters, and are backed up by rolling green grasses. As is true of all of Lake Tahoe, stunning mountains stand sentinel in the background, creating the perfect atmosphere for a totally unique beach day in the desert.
Things to do near Burnt Cedar Beach
Incline Village offers all the amenities you need to conduct a killer vacation, including some excellent eateries and outdoor shops. In the winter, this community serves the nearby Diamond Peak Ski Resort, which is a great place to hit the slopes.
Sand Harbor Beach
Continuing down along the stunning scenery that lines Nevada’s Tahoe Boulevard, Sand Harbor Beach awaits. This is a soft, sandy beachside with rugged backwoods hiking trails available within walking distance. This beach is prized for its pristine waters as well as a built-in beach volleyball court for those who don’t want to go too far to get their exercise. These waters are also beloved by stand-up paddleboarders, kayakers, jet skiers, SCUBA divers and more!
Things to do near Sand Harbor Beach
Herlan Peak is the tallest escarpment along Lake Tahoe, and is accessible via a nearby hike. Tunnel Creek Road travels up about 2,600 feet in the course of 5.5 miles, and that’s before you turn around for the downclimb, so do be sure you’re prepared before you take on this adventure!
Chimney Beach
Chimney Beach is a small but stunning stretch of Lake Tahoe beachfront that, yes, does actually feature a chimney built into the beautiful surroundings. The stone-strewn sand is soft and perfectly angled for getting a great sun tan, and this beach is pet friendly. The beach is accessed by a short walking trail, giving it the added benefit of being hidden and therefore less crowded than some of the other beaches on this list. Additionally, nearby public restrooms make it easy to stay clean and comfortable all day long.
Things to do near Chimney Beach
Nearby Carson City is a worthy vacation destination in its own right. Check out the Nevada State Railroad Museum or swing by Kings Canyon Waterfalls for a picture.
Secret Cove Beach
Maybe you’re looking for a slightly spicier beach day — maybe one you leave the kids home for. If so, we recommend you check out Secret Cove, a nude beach just a couple miles south of Chimney Beach. This intimate beachfront offers crystal clear waters and soft sands, with large, smooth stones completing the desert beach scenery. There is a short hike to access it, but it’s totally doable.
Things to do near Secret Cove Beach
Immediately behind this beach, check out the “escaleras de bajada,” which translates to “descending stairs” in English. These unique rock formations offer a great spot for a photo opportunity.
Round Hill Pines Beach
Round Hill Pines Beach is a gorgeous private beach that is known as one of the most family friendly beach options in the state. This lake coast is completed with a swath of amenities that make it easy to while away long, lazy days under the sun, including an on-site bar and grill where you can grab drinks and grub. There is also a nearby marina from which to rent and launch boats of many types, shapes, and sizes.
Things to do near Round Hill Pines Beach
Just outside of the very small town of Round Hill Village, this resort beach is comfortably off the beaten path but still within easy access of true necessities.
Lahontan State Recreation Area
As wonderful as Nevada’s Tahoe-side beaches are, they aren’t all the state has to offer! The Silver State also boasts a variety of smaller inland lakes, and Lahontan State Recreation Area is one of our favorites. Encompassing the borders of the Lahontan Reservoir, this preserved wilderness offers a number of beachfronts and lake access points, and one of the best is Silver Springs Beach. Soft, smooth sand blends seamlessly into the water, making it feel like you’re on the edge of the world — in a good way.
Things to do near Lahontan State Recreation Area
The small nearby city of Silver Springs doesn’t have much, but it does have a casino (of course). Plus, it’s all less than an hour from downtown Reno, if you’re really in need of the bright-lights-big-city atmosphere.
Best Nevada Beaches for RVers
Nevada Beach
The southernmost Nevada Lake Tahoe beach we’ll discuss on this list, Nevada Beach is easily one of the most picturesque sandy shores in the entire state. Along with its unmatched beauty, this beach is also popular thanks to its amenities. These include ample free parking, on-site snack bars and food vendors, picnic tables to enjoy your meals at, and nearby kayak and canoe rentals, just for a start.
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
There’s a nearby public campground that offers dry sites if you wish to stay the night right along the water’s edge. This is a great opportunity for RVers who like to stay in the middle of the action.
Things to do near Nevada Beach
Another beach in the vicinity of Round Hill Village, this beach is serviced by the small local community when you need resources and amenities, but is still far enough away from it all that you’ll feel like you’ve gotten away.
Walker Lake State Recreation Area
Another inland Nevada lake very worth checking out is Walker Lake, which is preserved and protected by the Walker Lake State Recreation Area. This small but beautiful park features a sandy lakeshore beach as well as nearby boat harbor access, opening up the full potential of the lake. Along with plain-old swimming and sunbathing, this lake also offers ample opportunities for bird-watching, wildlife-spotting, picnicking, and water-skiing.
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
There are campgrounds that are large enough to accommodate RVs in the nearby vicinity, making it easy to park your RV close to the fun.
Things to do near Walker Lake State Recreation Area
This inland lake is approximately two hours from Carson City and five hours from Las Vegas. It’s pretty deep in the wilderness, which is exactly what makes it such a special getaway.
Boulder Beach
Lake Meade is one of the most famous recreation areas in the United States. While many of its most noteworthy access points and beaches are on the Arizona side, Nevada doesn’t get cut out of the fun entirely. Boulder Beach, which is just short way from the Hoover Dam outside of Boulder City, is a well-known and well-developed lake beach opportunity. It boasts a designated swimming area as well as picnic pavilions, a nearby fishing pier, and a playground for the kids.
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
All this is just a stone’s throw from the very popular and well-maintained Lake Mead RV Village — and there are plenty of other great campgrounds in the area, to boot!
Things to do near Boulder Beach
If you haven’t yet, you absolutely must check out the Hoover Dam, which is as interesting from a historical perspective as it is a cultural and engineering one. And, of course, all of these recreation opportunities are less than an hour from Las Vegas. Here are some local campgrounds to look into.
Cottonwood Cove Beach
On the Nevada Side of Lake Monroe, Cottonwood Cove Beach offers the perfect opportunity for a sandy lakeside getaway complete. It boasts a nearby marina and plenty of other amenities — all in the depths of the desert, where the night skies are black and star-filled at the days are far less crowded than the ones a while north in the city.
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
This park boasts ample camping opportunities, making it a good pick for those traveling in an RV.
Things to do near Cottonwood Cove Beach
When you come to Cottonwood Cove Beach, you’re getting pretty far away from it all. But for many of us, that’s exactly the point.
Planning an RV Trip to Nevada
During your time in Nevada, make sure to visit the best state parks and campgrounds. You’ll also want to make time to see both Las Vegas and Reno.
