Visitors to Sand Harbor Beach, Nevada, at Lake Tahoe, will soon need to plan their trips well in advance as Nevada State Parks introduce a new reservation system to combat overcrowding and traffic congestion. The move aims to alleviate the long lines and gridlock plaguing the popular beach during peak seasons, the LA Times first reported.
Starting August 17th and running through October 13th, 2024, day-use reservations will be required on weekends and holidays to access Sand Harbor’s shores. Tyler Kerver, the education and information officer for the Nevada Division of State Parks, explained the rationale behind the pilot program.
“This new system aims to reduce traffic congestion on Highway 28, improve trip planning, and alleviate overcrowding. We hope this mediates the illegal line of traffic down Highway 28 that begins around 5:30 a.m. most days.”
– Tyler Kerver told the LA Times
The initial trial period will help staff and visitors adjust to the new procedures, with full implementation in April 2025. To accommodate spontaneous visits during the trial, entry after 10:30 a.m. will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to park capacity.
Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance, with bookings opening on July 1st. A non-refundable $5 reservation fee will be charged for reservations made before the day of arrival, while same-day bookings will be fee-free.
Sand Harbor, known for its sandy beaches, rocky coves, and the annual Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, is the most heavily visited site in the Nevada State Park system, drawing over 1 million visitors annually. During the crowded summer season, the park, designed for about 1,200 visitors per day, often sees more than 3,000 daily visitors.
“No one wants to sit on the beach at 7 a.m. We are hoping this helps with that and gives Lake Tahoe residents, many of whom have not been able to go to Sand Harbor in years because of the early-morning lines, a better chance at a local beach day.”
– Tyler Kerver
While the new system has received a “mixed reaction,” according to Kerver, most people are “happy with it and excited for it to be implemented.” The reservation system is expected to help beachgoers plan their trips in advance and ensure guaranteed entry for those with reservations.
