WASHOE COUNTY, Nev.—Beachgoers at Sand Harbor Beach, one of Lake Tahoe’s most popular spots, will need reservations to ensure a spot on the sand on holidays and weekends starting in August.
Nevada State Parks plans to implement a trial run of the new reservation system beginning Aug. 17 until Oct. 13 for visitors at the crowded park, located on the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe about five miles south of Incline Village.
Swimmers, sunbathers, and paddleboarders were enjoying a sunny morning Friday on the shore of the azure blue alpine lake.
Limited parking and restrictions on roadside parking force parks employees to close the beach in the early morning on most days, though a shuttle service is available starting at 8 a.m. from the nearby visitors’ center parking lot.
The reservations plan will be the second attempt by Nevada State Parks to accommodate crowds at popular destinations. The parks agency is also testing a day-use reservation system at Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area in Laughlin, which includes about two miles of sandy shoreline at the Colorado River, according to spokesman Tyler Kerver (CQ).
“It’s been going very well, which is one of the things that prompted us to start rolling it out at Sand Harbor,” Mr. Kerver told The Epoch Times.
In 2023, the state’s parks agency opened reservenevada.com, a website that offers a platform for camping and other reservations. Parks officials hope the new system will reduce traffic congestion on Nevada Highway 28, where the beach entrance is located, and alleviate overcrowding.
During the August through October trial period, the beach will still be open to spontaneous visits after 10:30 a.m., but entry will only be granted on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to park capacity.
Reservations made before the day of arrival are subject to a nonrefundable $5 reservation fee, but fees for same-day bookings are waived, according to state parks.
Monica Shea, of Gardnerville, about 40 miles south of the beach, said the new reservation plan might help cut down on the traffic and crowds, but wondered if the system would live up to its promises.
“It would be great if it works well, but so many things that have been deployed by the state don’t,” Ms. Shea said. “Basically, on weekends, you can’t get here because it’s so crowded. The parking shuts down.”
Ms. Shea said the new program might help out-of-state visitors who make reservations before traveling to Lake Tahoe, but locals might get excluded.
“It sounds like somewhat of a solution, but we just don’t know,” she said.
Gardnerville resident Ben, who didn’t want to use his last name, said having reservations might make it easier but the parking situation remains difficult.
“I’m not so much concerned about the people on the beach, because I think we can make more room for people,” Ben told The Epoch Times. “But I understand that there’s limited space for parking.”
The state also prohibits drivers from dropping off people at the beach along Nevada Highway 28 in front of the entrance. The state parks agency plans to fully implement the reservations system in April 2025, according to a press advisory.
