Kings Beach, CA, United States

Kings Beach State Recreation Area

Kings Beach is the largest public sandy beach on Lake Tahoe's North Shore, set right in town beside shops and restaurants. Its south-facing shore and gradually deepening lake floor make it one of the warmer swimming areas on the lake, a comfortable place for laps parallel to the sand. Lots are pay-to-park year-round, and dogs are not allowed on the beach.

Directions

Photo: U.S. Department of the Interior · CC BY-SA 2.0

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Latest reading · SwimScore 87/100 (Get in) for a typical swimmer: air 23°C, wind 7 km/h, UV 8. Updated 23 Sept, 22:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Best conditions: Summer; the south-facing aspect and gradual drop-off make it one of the warmest swimming areas on the lake, with Tahoe typically about 50-70°F from June through September.
Getting in: Day-use California state recreation area on Highway 28 in downtown Kings Beach; park hours 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Swimming is allowed in designated areas.
Parking & transport: Pay-to-park lots year-round: $10 per vehicle per day or $3 per hour in peak season (May 1-September 30), lower day rate off-season (prices can change). No overnight parking; buses, RVs and trailers are not allowed in the main lot.
Water quality: UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center tracks Lake Tahoe's clarity, temperature and nutrients and posts live lake conditions; Tahoe's public-beach partners advise checking California's harmful algal bloom advisories before swimming.
Season: Open year-round for day use; swimming season is summer.
Watch for: Cold water shock: Take Care Tahoe reports an average of seven cold-water drownings in Lake Tahoe each year
Upwelling can bring deep cold water to the surface without warning
Personal watercraft and boat rentals operate from the beach
Facilities: Restrooms · Drinking water · Picnic tables and barbecue areas · Playground · Boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals · Boat ramp at the east end