Chimney Beach Lake Tahoe

Chimney Beach is a small, undeveloped cove on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe's East Shore, a few miles south of Sand Harbor on State Route 28. You reach it by walking about half a mile down a steep trail from a trailhead parking lot. It's named for the old chimney still standing on the sand, all that's left of a lakeside cabin. As of the 2026 season, parking costs $12 a day, collected by the Tahoe Transportation District. There is no shuttle, and there are no facilities at the beach. What you get for the walk is clear, turquoise water, big granite boulders and a lot more room than at Sand Harbor.

This guide covers parking, the trail, what the beach is like, the rules, what to bring, the best times to go and nearby alternatives. Fees and rules change, so check the linked sources before you go.

Chimney Beach quick facts

Where Chimney Beach is

Chimney Beach is on the stretch of State Route 28 between Sand Harbor and Spooner Lake. The trailhead is about 7 miles south of Incline Village and about 20 miles north of South Lake Tahoe. This part of the shore is National Forest land, run by the Forest Service's Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. It isn't part of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, as an earlier version of this page said. So the state park's rules, fees and reservation system at Sand Harbor don't apply here.

Chimney Beach is one of a string of coves along this shore. Secret Cove and several other small beaches are within walking distance along the water, and they share the same two trailhead lots.

Getting there

From Incline Village: take State Route 28 south past the Sand Harbor entrance and Memorial Point. The Chimney Beach and Secret Harbor trailhead lots are further south along the same road. The drive is short, and in summer the challenge is parking, not traffic.

From Kings Beach, Crystal Bay, Tahoe Vista or Carnelian Bay: follow State Route 28 east through Crystal Bay into Incline Village, then keep going south along the East Shore. Allow extra time on summer weekends, when traffic backs up near the Sand Harbor entrance.

From the South Shore or Carson City: come up US 50 to Spooner Summit, then turn north on State Route 28 toward Incline Village. You reach the trailheads before Sand Harbor.

There's no public transit to Chimney Beach. The East Shore Express shuttle only runs between Incline Village and Sand Harbor, and the Tahoe East Shore Trail currently ends at Sand Harbor, although both Chimney Beach lots are planned to connect to it eventually. Our guide to driving from the Bay Area and our guide to flying into Reno cover the trip to the lake itself.

Parking: what changed in 2026

For years, most people parked on the shoulder of Highway 28 wherever they could find a gap. That is what the new system is meant to end. In 2026 the Tahoe Transportation District got a Forest Service permit to run paid parking at both trailheads, and reopened the Chimney Beach lot with a new pedestrian crossing over State Route 28. The key facts as of the 2026 season:

• $12 per vehicle per day, a flat rate, charged since June 1, 2026.
• 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with no time limit while it's open.
• No overnight parking.
• About 130 spaces at the Chimney Beach trailhead and about 30 at Secret Harbor.
• The fees go back into safety, access and environmental work along the SR 28 corridor.

Construction of a restroom and other amenities at the Chimney Beach lot was planned for summer 2026, and it may take up some spaces while it's underway. On a summer weekend, get there early. If both lots are full, don't make up your own spot on the highway. Go to Sand Harbor, which needs a reservation from May 15 to September 30, or come back another day.

The Chimney Beach lot is across State Route 28 from the trail, which is why the new pedestrian crossing was built. Use it, and keep children close. Traffic on this road is fast, and the shoulders are narrow.

The trail down

From the lot, a dirt trail drops through pine forest and brush toward the water. It's roughly half a mile to the beach, or about 1.1 miles round trip, with a little over 200 feet of elevation change according to Hikespeak. Stone steps help on the steeper sections, and there are a few junctions. Keep heading downhill toward the lake, and note which way you came so you can find the right path back.

Going down takes 15 minutes or so. Coming back up in the afternoon sun with a cooler takes longer and feels harder, so pack light. Sneakers or trail shoes are much better than flip-flops, and the trail isn't suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. If anyone in your group needs step-free access to the water, go to Sand Harbor instead. It has an accessible nature trail and lends an all-terrain wheelchair.

What the beach is like

Clear water and granite boulders

The water on this part of the East Shore is some of the clearest on the lake, pale green over sand and deep blue further out. Big granite boulders sit along the shore and in the shallows. They're good for sitting on, drying off on, and shade later in the day. As everywhere at Tahoe, the water is cold even in August, and the bottom can drop off quickly past the rocks.

The chimney

The chimney stands on the sand between two boulder points, the only thing left of a cabin that once stood there. It's the landmark everyone photographs, and it tells you you've found the right beach. Please don't climb it. It's old, and it's the reason the beach has a name.

Room to spread out

There are no food stands, rental shacks or lifeguards here, so the beach attracts people who don't mind carrying things. It's quieter than Sand Harbor, though on a hot summer weekend it isn't empty, and the parking numbers show that. The size of the beach also depends on the lake level. In high-water years there's less sand and more rock.

Nearby coves

Walk along the shore in either direction and you'll find smaller sandy pockets tucked between the boulders. They're good for a quieter swim or a picnic. Remember that the rocks between coves can be slippery, and stay within sight of your group.

Secret Harbor, Secret Cove and Whale Beach

The next trailhead south on Highway 28 is Secret Harbor, with a 31-space lot on the same $12-a-day system. From there, paths drop to a chain of small boulder coves: Secret Cove, widely known as clothing-optional, and Whale Beach, a short dark-sand beach named for its whale-shaped rock, about 1.5 miles south of Sand Harbor and roughly a mile's walk from the lot. Like Chimney, they are National Forest land with no facilities at the water. Our Lake Tahoe beaches guide compares them with the rest of the East Shore.

What to do there

• Swim and wade. Pick a sandy entry and watch for underwater rocks.
• Snorkel. The boulders and clear water make it one of the better snorkeling spots on the lake. A wetsuit helps.
• Paddle. An inflatable board or kayak lets you explore the coves. Afternoon wind can come up quickly on the East Shore, so paddle in the morning.
• Take photos. The chimney, the boulders and the water color are the reasons most people come.
• Read, nap, repeat. With no services, there isn't much else to do, and that's the point.

Chimney Beach or Sand Harbor?

Staying safe

• Cold water. Lake Tahoe stays cold all summer, and cold water tires swimmers quickly. Swim close to shore, and use a life jacket on a board or kayak.
• Afternoon wind. The East Shore often gets wind and chop in the afternoon. Paddlers can get blown away from the beach, so head back when whitecaps show up.
• The highway. State Route 28 is fast and busy. Cross only at the marked crossing, and never walk along the shoulder.
• The rocks. Wet granite is slippery, and it's hard to judge depth in clear water. Check before you jump.
• The climb. Leave enough energy and water for the walk back up, especially with children or in the heat.

Rules and etiquette

• Pack it in, pack it out. Nothing is collected at the beach. Carry all your trash back up to the lot.
• No wood or charcoal fires. Campfires are never allowed on Tahoe beaches. The Forest Service lists portable gas grills as the only option, and those need a fire permit outside developed sites. Check current fire restrictions before bringing any stove, and in dry, windy weather, skip it.
• Dogs on leash. The Forest Service allows leashed dogs at Chimney Beach. Pick up after them, since there are no bags provided.
• Don't feed wildlife.
• Fishing needs a valid Nevada or California license for anyone 16 or older.
• Keep the noise down. Most people come here for the quiet, so leave the speaker at home.
• Clean, drain and dry any board or kayak before it goes in the lake, to keep invasive species out.

What to bring

• Shoes with grip for the trail, plus water shoes for the rocks
• More water than you think you'll need, for the climb back up
• Lunch and snacks in a backpack rather than a wheeled cooler
• Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, since shade on the sand is limited
• A towel or light blanket
• A trash bag
• Waste bags if your dog is coming
• A way to pay the $12 parking fee (check the pay station on arrival)

Best time to visit

Early morning is the best time for parking, calm water and cool air on the trail. Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends. June has fewer people and colder water. September has warm afternoons, water that has had all summer to warm up, and emptier beaches once schools are back. By mid-October Forest Service beach areas on the lake generally close for the season, depending on snow, so check before you go late in the year. Avoid the climb back up in the middle of a hot afternoon if you can.

Nearby alternatives

• Sand Harbor, a few miles north: full facilities, gentle entry and rentals, but a car reservation is needed May 15–September 30. See our Sand Harbor guide.
• Secret Cove, reached from the Secret Harbor trailhead: similar boulder coves, sharing the same paid parking system.
• Hidden Beach and Memorial Point, closer to Incline Village along the Tahoe East Shore Trail.
• Kings Beach, on the North Shore in California: a big sandy beach with facilities and paid parking, for days when a steep trail isn't practical.

Our Lake Tahoe beaches guide covers the rest of the lake, and Incline Village beaches for renters explains why the town's own beaches are off-limits to most visitors.

A sample Chimney Beach morning

1. 7:15 a.m. Leave your rental in Incline Village with a packed backpack and plenty of water.
2. 7:30 a.m. Park at the Chimney Beach trailhead, pay the $12, and use the toilets.
3. 7:45 a.m. Walk down while it's cool, and take the chimney photo before anyone else is in it.
4. 8 a.m.–noon. Swim, snorkel and paddle while the lake is flat.
5. 12:30 p.m. Lunch on the rocks, then head up before the afternoon heat.
6. Afternoon. Back to the house for a shower, and a hot tub if you have one.

Where to stay

Most of our homes, 20 of them, are in Incline Village, the closest town to Chimney Beach and the rest of the East Shore. Staying there makes an early start at the trailhead easy. We also have homes in Crystal Bay and Kings Beach, a few minutes further up the shore. Check which homes are free for your dates.

Booking direct costs less. Our nightly prices on Airbnb are set 28% higher than on our own site, and on Vrbo 17% higher, and every home page shows the dollar saving for your dates. Our booking direct vs Airbnb guide explains why. If you have questions about which home suits your group, contact us or call (530) 317-0291.

Summary

Chimney Beach is worth a short, steep walk. Plan on the $12 trailhead parking, arrive early, carry everything in and out, and save energy for the climb back. You won't find services, but you'll get some of the clearest water on the lake, boulders to lie on and a landmark chimney. It's best for confident walkers, older kids and anyone who'd rather have space than facilities. For current parking details, check the Tahoe Transportation District, and browse our homes when you're ready to book.