Paddleboarding in Lake Tahoe from Sand Harbor State Park
- Gabriella Viola
- Jun 14, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Paddleboarding in one of Lake Tahoe’s most scenic locations — here’s what to know.
Lake Tahoe is a top destination for paddleboarding, thanks to its stunning scenery and crystal-clear waters. One of my favorite locations to paddleboard in Lake Tahoe is the east shore, a rugged section of Lake Tahoe with large granite boulders and beautiful turquoise coves.
Sand Harbor State Park is one of the most convenient places to launch your paddleboard from and access the east shore. If you don't own a paddleboard, you can easily rent one from several rental companies within Sand Harbor State Park.
Once you arrive at Sand Harbor State Park, you'll pay the entrance fee of $15 ($10 for Nevada residents). It's just a short walk from the parking lot to the beach, which is nice because you don't have to carry your board very far (another reason why Sand Harbor is a convenient location to launch).
Both north and south of Sand Harbor State Park are very scenic. No matter which direction you choose, you really can't go wrong. If you head north of Sand Harbor, you will pass by Divers Cove, the East Shore Bike Path, and a few small scenic coves.
Heading south from Sand Harbor is the more popular route, and you will probably see a few other paddleboarders and kayakers going in this direction. After paddling for about a mile down the shore, you will come to Bonsai Rock, a large and distinctive rock that is a popular spot to jump off in the summer!
Here's a tip: If you climb up Bonsai Rock, you will have a great vantage point (somewhat of a birdseye view) of the shoreline, and you can get some gorgeous pictures!
Depending on how much energy you have and if the conditions are good, you can keep heading south, or call it a day and paddle back to Sand Harbor Beach.
A few general tips: The sun is very strong in Lake Tahoe. Don’t forget the sunscreen, bring a hat, and pack snacks and plenty of water. Also, be sure to check the wind forecast for the day. The wind tends to pick up in the afternoon, so mornings are usually better for paddling. I use windfinder.com to view the hourly wind forecast. Other than that, get out there and have fun!
I hope you enjoyed my Lake Tahoe paddle-boarding guide!
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