Lake Tahoe's
Nude Beach Directions
Nude Beach Directions
Overview Of General Locations
& Parking Problems
& Parking Problems
The roadway distance between Chimney Beach to the north and Secret Harbor Creek Beach to the south is over
two miles. Where one accesses their chosen beach will often depend upon available parking.
All of these beaches are adjacent to Nevada State Route 28 which is a narrow two lane highway and which during
the daytime is usually highly congested. Nevada Rte. 28 is the major connection between northern Tahoe
and U.S. 50, Stateline, and Carson City.
To keep the public away from these beautiful and prized beaches, the National Forest Service has provided
a minimum of parking spots and has worked with the Nevada state highway department to eliminate much of the
earlier available highway shoulder parking. An estimated total of 140 parking spots have been eliminated.
During the summer, especially on the weekends, the public's access has been greatly restricted by the removal of
this parking; meaning that those arriving by late morning may have a very frustrating time.
Nevada Route 28 has posted restrictions forbidding shoulder parking until one reaches 5/10ths of a mile south
of the main parking lot. On the west (southbound) side is a short stretch of allowable shoulder parking.
If you use this parking strip, make absolutely sure that your vehicle is completely clear of the highway.
Citations are costly. To find this strip, look for one of the many restriction signs having a very small (tiny) sign posted
below the main sign (and at a 90-degree angle) indicating the end of the parking restriction. Usually one
finds this parking strip by sighting a line of cars taking every available inch of it. Near the base of the above
mentioned sign is a forestry trail sign designating the start of a very well maintain trail leading down to
the southern beaches. This trail meets the forestry service road.
Preventing the public access to public land has repeatedly been a questionable practice of the forest service
who decries the environment damage of people using the trails. These environmental cries ring hollow
in light of recent logging operations authorized by the forest service in recent years in the area.
Furthermore, forcing beach goers to drive around (polluting the air) to find parking for another beach
does nothing to help promote this sign's reference to the protection of Lake Tahoe's water quality. As
seen in the adjacent sign, the U.S. Forest Service arrogantly takes pride in establishing signs to let you know that
they are the ones preventing you from accessing your public lands in which you have traveled many miles to enjoy.
Not part of our listing are other naturist spots such as one near Hidden Beach north of Sand Harbor.
Due to Lake Tahoe's size, it has a number of nucks-and-crannies where local naturists can sun tan; however, as these
tiny sites are beyond this web site's introduction, only the principle nude recreational beaches are listed here.
Directions
From U.S. 50, the distance is 5 miles to the main parking lot with the gated dirt service road, for
walking to the nude beaches. From Sand Harbor (to the north) it is 2.3 miles driving south. The main parking
lot is on the west (beach) side of the highway.
This main parking lot is very close to Chimney Beach which has its own park lot, 3/10ths of a mile north of
the main parking lot. The Chimney Beach parking lot is on the east side of Nevada Rte. 28 (approximately 2 miles
south of Sand Harbor) and immediately across the highway from the trail leading down to Chimney Beach. This parking
can be used for the nude beaches if the other parking is not available.
As mentioned above, some highway shoulder parking is sometimes available 5/10ths of a mile south of the main
parking lot on the highway's west side. The shoulder parking slightly shortens the walking distance to the
beaches. From the parking lots/highway to the shoreline is an elevation change of approximately 400 feet.
The trails are fairly well marked so lengthly detail is not deemed necessary here. There is a trail near the beach
which runs along the shore from Chimney Beach to Paradise Cove to Boater's Beach (at Secret Cove); from there, climbing
over a few beach rocks will directly access Secret Harbor Creek Beach. To access Whale Beach ( the southern most
nude beach) it is necessary to follow the dirt forest service road. Where it splits, stay to the right, and follow
the road to the end and take a secondary trail leading down to one of the several small beaches.
Weather report for the Lake Tahoe area
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Chimney Beach Paradise Cove Secret Harbor Secret Harbor Creek Beach