Go jump in a lake!

Lake Tahoe beaches

By Dana Turvey, tahoe.com

Ahhh, summertime, and the beaches are great, especially at Lake Tahoe, where 72 miles of shoreline call out for days of sunny relaxation.

Meek’s Bay Resort
Enjoy a marina, BBQs, designated swim area, plus nearby store and campground with a long swatch of beach. Meek’s Bay is located 11 miles south of the ‘Y’ in Tahoe City, directly on Hwy 89.

Commons Beach Park
This Tahoe City landmark hosts four acres of lakefront fun for kids and adults. Children can run off some steam on the posh playgrounds; adults can simply enjoy heavenly views. No dedicated parking, no dogs. Located directly east of the ‘Y’ intersection (Hwys 28 & 89) on Hwy 28 in downtown Tahoe City.

Chimney Beach, Etc.
These hidden beauties were the local’s secret, but because the Forest Service created true parking, the east shore beaches are more accessible. The 4-5 separate beaches have no services – just quiet, calm Tahoe sunshine (and no fee). Note: half these spots are ‘clothing optional.’ Drive 1.2 miles south of Sand Harbor or 6.5 miles north of Spooner Summit on Hwy 28 to the mountainside car park (it holds about 30 cars), then a 10-minute stroll down the dirt fire road.

Cave Rock State Park
This is a low-key spot, with little more than a few picnic tables, parking, boat ramp and a small slice of beach with direct views of mighty Mt. Tallac. Located in a small crescent cove directly south of the Cave Rock landmark tunnels, this is a great way to simply enjoy the lake away from all the crowds. On Hwy 50 East, 7 miles up from Stateline.

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Pyramid Lake holds ancient history and present pleasure

By Marnie McArthur, reno.com
A 35-mile drive east of Reno, Pyramid Lake and the surrounding lands exude a unique calmness and otherworldly beauty.

About the lake
The Paiute Indians have inhabited this land for centuries and the lake is completely contained within a nearly 500,000-acre reservation. The Truckee River ends here after leaving Lake Tahoe. The lake, which has no outlet, is approximately 27 miles long, 11 miles across, and has a maximum depth of 356 feet.

Day passes
Visitor permits are required for day use, boating, camping and fishing. No hunting or ATVs are allowed. From Pyramid Way (Hwy 445), stop at the Pyramid Lake Store for permits, maps, fishing gear and food items. Permits are also available in the Nixon Store and the Visitor’s Center Museum at the south end of the lake.

Recreation
Most of the shoreline is accessible. An open-range, no-fence policy puts visitors on the honor system to respect the land. Some areas, including the hot springs at the north end of the lake, are closed except for tribal members. Beaches along the west shore are perfect for swimming, picnicking and camping, and at least one is designated as a family beach, meaning no alcohol allowed. Boat rentals and fishing charters are available at the Sutcliff Marina.

Services
Bathrooms and trash containers are found at the public beaches but a majority of the land surrounding Pyramid Lake is wilderness. The time-honored standard of pack-it-in, pack-it-out applies.

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Boca and Stampede Reservoirs

Located 30 miles West of Reno, Boca and Stampede Reservoirs offer a different experience for lake goers. There aren't very many beaches, mostly rocky shores, which makes these the preferred spots for boaters and jet skiers. Second, it's a fisherman's paradise, which makes for an interesting tango between motorcraft and angler.

But the reservoirs are set in the alpine forest, boast clean water from Tahoe that flows onward to Pyramid, and due to their distance from Reno, lack the crowds of Lake Tahoe or Pyramid. As the summer wanes, check before you head to the boat docks; dropping water levels could close the ramps at either or both reservoir.

There are no stores, so make sure you bring what you need. Both areas offer great camping areas, with Boca listing 42 campsites, and Stampeded a whopping 252. Bathrooms are available at both day-use and campsites.