Kiva Beach

Park at Visitor Center Parking Lot

South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

(530) 543-2600

Featuring fantastic views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Tallac, Kiva Beach is a hidden jewel. It can be a little difficult to find due to a lack of signs once you park, but it is well worth the effort. Enjoy free parking and a Visitor’s Center with restrooms and picnic tables, and then take a pleasant walk down a forest trail to the beach. The trail features marked signs that teach a little about the vegetation and local history. The large beach sits at the mouth of Taylor Creek. Swimming is enjoyable, but expect it to be a little rocky in some spots until you get farther from the shore. Kiva Beach is one of the few South Lake Tahoe beaches that allows dogs. East of Tallac Point dogs are permitted on leash (an El Dorado Country ordinance). Kiva Beach is typically less crowded then other Lake Tahoe beaches which makes for a pleasant afternoon.

Kiva Beach, as well as several other nearby beaches like Pope Beach, and Baldwin Beach, are accessible by a nice paved trail called the Pope Baldwin Bike Path. It winds through the national forest between the shoreline and Highway 89 (Emerald Bay Road). You can walk, run, or rent a bike to follow the tree-lined paved trail to your favorite beach and take a dip and enjoy a nice picnic. This popular path runs from the city limits of South Lake Tahoe to the start of the elevation climb of California State Route 89 up to Emerald Bay. Along the way you can stop at Taylor Creek Visitor Center which allows visitors to view the Kokanee Salmon in their natural habitat via a stream profile chamber.

Location: Kiva Beach is located approximately 3.5 miles north of the “Y” (the intersection of Highway 50 and Highway 89) in South Lake Tahoe.

Beach Details:
Dogs Allowed with Restrictions
Public Bathrooms
Shade Available