The Long Way
Washoe County
A scenic view of a rocky lake shore with mountains in the background.
Plate I. Sandy cove, Sand Harbor Swim Beach. From parks.nv.gov
An old photograph shows a steamboat on a lake near a heavily forested shore.
Plate II. Sand Harbor, circa 1940. From parks.nv.gov
Two beach chairs and umbrellas on a sandy shore facing a large body of water with distant snow-covered mountains.
Plate III. Sandy shoreline at Sand Harbor Swim Beach. From parks.nv.gov
A wooden boardwalk runs alongside a blue lake with snowy mountains in the background.
Plate IV. Boardwalk along Lake Tahoe, Sand Harbor. From parks.nv.gov
A scenic view of a rocky shoreline by a body of water with trees and a cloudy sky.
Plate V. Granite rock formations, Sand Harbor Swim Beach. From parks.nv.gov
A calm lake reflecting trees and a colorful twilight sky.
Plate VI. Rocky shoreline, Sand Harbor Swim Beach. From parks.nv.gov
A scenic view of a snowy forested shoreline alongside a body of water at sunset.
Plate VII. Snowy shoreline, Sand Harbor Swim Beach. From parks.nv.gov

Sand Harbor Swim Beach

Incline Village, Washoe County, Nevada. State Park.

Details

Map. Incline Village, Washoe County, Nevada. Larger map
Where
2005 Highway 28, Incline Village, NV 89450. Directions
When
8 a.m. to 1 hour after sunset. Boat Ramp: 6AM - 4PM (Boat Docks Unavailable). Office Hours: 8am - 4pm, Tues-Fri.
Fees
$10.00 ($15.00 for Non-NV Vehicles).
Access
Camping is not permitted at Sand Harbor. Glass bottles are not allowed in waterfront areas. Parking at any other roadside location is prohibited; visitors will not be permitted entry to the Park.
Walk-in or reserve
Day-Use Reservations required for vehicle entry daily May 15 through September 30.
Phone
775-831-0494
Website
parks.nv.gov
Managed by
Nevada State Parks.
Established
1971.

The largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe is a cobalt blue lake atop the Sierra Nevada mountain range. On its eastern shores, gently sloping beaches, crystal-clear water and interesting rock formations allow for wonderfully sublime swimming, kayaking and scuba diving at Sand Harbor. Boaters, water-skiers and fisherman can easily launch from one of the park's two ramps. Visitors who would like a peaceful retreat from surf and sun can picnic in the shade of cedars and Jeffrey pines in one of many picnic sites equipped with barbecues and tables. The park also hosts the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival every summer.

Notable Events

  1. 1870sWalter Scott Hobart established Sierra Nevada Wood & Lumber Company operations at Sand Harbor; trees logged around the lake were towed into the harbor behind the Steamship Niagara and sent by rail to the company sawmill in Incline. parks.nv.gov
  2. 1880Milled lumber and cordwood went to the Comstock Mining District through the Great Incline Tramway and V-flumes. parks.nv.gov
  3. 1920sHobart leased Sand Harbor's master cottage to Frank W. Fuller. parks.nv.gov
  4. 1930sGeorge Whittell Jr. purchased most of Lake Tahoe's east side, including Sand Harbor, where he planned a casino. parks.nv.gov
  5. 1958George Whittell leased part of Sand Harbor beach to the State of Nevada. parks.nv.gov
  6. 1966Nevada launched eminent-domain proceedings against George Whittell for about 5,300 acres, including Sand Harbor. tahoefund.org
  7. 1967Nevada won the court case and created Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. tahoefund.org
  8. 1971Grand opening ceremonies were held for the park. parks.nv.gov

People

  • Frank W. Fuller Jr., summered at Sand Harbor and moored his Gruman Goose and later Gruman Mallard seaplanes on its shores (until 1966).
  • Frank W. Fuller, lessee of Sand Harbor's master cottage (early 1920s).
  • George Whittell Jr., owner of Sand Harbor who planned a casino (early 1930s).
  • Walter Scott Hobart Jr., landowner who built a summer resort at Sand Harbor (from 1892).
  • Walter Scott Hobart, lumber baron who established Sierra Nevada Wood & Lumber Company operations at Sand Harbor (by the 1870s).

Sources

  1. parks.nv.gov/parks/lake-tahoe-nevada-state-park
  2. parks.nv.gov/learn/park-histories/sand-harbor-history
  3. parks.nv.gov/learn/park-histories/sand-harbor-history
  4. parks.nv.gov/learn/natural-resources-climate/natural-resources-and-climate-for-lake-tahoe-nevada-state-park
  5. tahoefund.org/about-tahoe/tahoes-environmental-history