The 12 best free attractions in South Lake Tahoe

Really this is a four season village where people gather and enjoy the local festivities, whether it is skiing in the winter or shopping and hanging out at the lake in the summer!

What a fantastic place, lots of shops, food, Bars and entertainment. Casinos and reports all within half a mile walk. Target next door in case you forget anything. Love this place. I will return

Years back, we stayed with the family in the Hotel adjacent or connected to this Village, all family members had great times and memorable moments! It’s a must visit point for enjoying great food, shopping, rest times whenever traveling to this place.

Be prepared for the winds which will shut the lift down. However the views from the bottom are still amazing. Shops are reasonable prices, casinos are a bonus when the winds are insane and there is a cute little movie theater in the village as well.

Came during shoulder season and it was a little light on what was going on and some things were closed. Seems like it would be a cool place in the winter.

We had fun! We ride the Gondola for $79 each adult when u purchase online & if on site for $84. There other activities also they offer

Nice place to chill out with friend and family. Lot of options, but bit costly. Consider at least 40-60 mins waiting for dinner.

Great trail.took like 45minutes from Target parking lot to get to water fall. Great view point along the way. Pretty much all up hill. Still ice near fall. ✌️✌️Dog friendly.

Great views of lake tahoe. Nice photo op at the California/Nevada state line. Ginormous pinecones!

Easy hike uphill about .5 mile to scenic overlook. Parking available. Kids enjoyed!

I give it 4 stars because of the wonderful view and the enjoyable hike, but the facilities were NASTY!!

A nice moderate level hike with wonderful nature views and views of the lake from the vista point.

Van Sickle Bi - State Park has great trails to bring the family to enjoy the hiking and exercise. Great place to bring family to forget electronic devices and bond. Not to mention the scenery is breathtaking.

Great hiking but short loop.to see great view

This little slice was amazing. Not high traffic and mostly private meaning not a lot of people. At most there were about 3 to 5 families in the area despite the traffic in the surrounding area. Gas station and shops less than a mile away but no bathrooms on the hill. And note there were 3 different levels of hills to slide down and very scenic so a stroll is highly suggested. Pack a lunch to enjoy the beauty of the area. There are flat patches to sit and a path across the street to walk along. No parking spaces but enough space to park on the side of the road. Beautiful place.

Great series of trails and a good diversity of flowers

We had a short trip but it was a fabulous one. The rain hit us so we took cover in a space between 2 rocks until it slowed down. Easy and clear trails. Many bikes too!

Off-roading trail was awesome. Beautiful views of the mountain and rocks along the top. Had some areas to chill and take photos. There's a lake at the bottom that some people were fishing at.

This is a great series of meadows. I LOVE it here. There is a lot of Wildlife and birds to observe. During the summer there are lots of butterflies! Be careful parking because you may get a ticket. Pay attention to signs.

Awesome place to walk around. It is also nearby a hill you can sled down.

Great park with plenty of space to get away from people and noise.

Reagan Beach is in the beautiful area of lake Tahoe. There is a grass area, an area for children to play on playground equipment and a few benches here and there to sit on. If you are handicap they do have a handicap accessible bathroom. However be aware that the pathways are uneven and hard to renew her if you are on a wheelchair or scooter. The asphalt and concrete pathways need to really be redone as they are cracked, irregular and very hard to maneuver while walking with walkers or sitting on a scooter.

Parking and picnic areas make this a nice stop for hang out at time at the lake, there's also a larger grassy area that can be reserved for special events. Beautiful views of course

This place is absolutely gorgeous plenty of parking stairs are at your toes there is a beautiful Park in the Middle with benches the views are spectacular tons of trees beautiful water just gorgeous very easy beach access very easy water access just great

Very beautiful strip of the lake. We primarily hung out at the park which featured a volleyball court, playground, restroom (which was locked) and plenty of seating. Nice little place to hang with family and friends but it might not be the best for swimming although it was hard to tell since there's been an exceptionally high level of snowmelt this year.

We had a great time here with family and friends.

Crowded but cool view

Quiet and clean area to relax

I wish there was a little more actual beach area. It was very well maintained and our pup had fun.

The beach is beautifully maintained, with clean sand and clear water that make it perfect for a relaxing day in the sun. The atmosphere is peaceful yet welcoming, ideal for families, couples, or solo visitors looking to unwind. Amenities like picnic areas, well-kept restrooms, and convenient parking make the experience hassle-free. The surrounding scenery is stunning, with scenic views and plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the ocean breeze. Whether you’re swimming, sunbathing, or just taking a stroll along the shore, this beach provides a refreshing escape from everyday life. I highly recommend visiting it’s one of the best spots to enjoy both relaxation and nature!

A really nice park that most commodities. A great place to relax or other activities. A great view to top it off.

Other than being extremely popular like everywhere else in Lake Tahoe this beach is very gorgeous. It's hot access to the water and picnic areas to hang out. We spent the 4th of July here one year and had a really good time with our kids. There are better places to see the fireworks but this is a good option. Be prepared for large crowds if you do decide to come enjoy on a holiday weekend. Be patient finding parking you will need it.

This is a wonderful picnic spot, perfect for spending quality time with friends and family. Parking and clean restrooms are available for your convenience.

Love this park, I just wish they would be consistent on opening the gate at 6:30, like the sign says. I walk my dog here everyday at 6:30 but it's a gamble whether the gates open at 6:30. This morning I had to wait 40 minutes after 6:30 for the gate to open. I took pictures showing how late it was to open, but it won't let me upload them to this review. My hope is that this review goes to the person who is in charge of opening the gate, so they realize the importance of being on time. No one wants to have their tax dollars going to someone who has a tendency to over sleep while the tax payer waits for them.

Very great place to take a walk and enjoy the view. The water is very clear and we can see the mountains too. We visited this place in the month of end of May and it was cold. There is a play area where kids can play and also seating area. The parking is also available and there are restrooms.

Love this place. So much to do Lots of seating. Walking in feilds with dogs. Dog park. BMX area, skate area, Frisbee golf, playground. Nice and clean

Bijou is a wonderful place with great location. Lots for the kids to enjoy and experience. With a bike park, bmx track and skate park. There is disc golf too. We make it a point to visit each time we are in town. Thank you

Just a terrific disc Golf course. I'm really glad I had more good throws than bad ones. I also could not find basket 14. No worries. I'm there for the exercise anyway.

I spent a lot of time at this park. It is so dog friendly and so lovely. Bathrooms are always clean.

Disc Golf & Great views ofcourse 👍😁👌👌👌 Played all 27 holes, tee pads were easy to locate. Park is family and pet friendly.

Best disc course in south lake or surrounding areas. Other things there but best thing to do is disc golf

Very beautiful but very difficult to reach as a pedestrian. The trekking paths lost in the snow, you need snowshoes to advance, either way, you'll find a very beautiful landscape

Easy to find, close to Stateline casinos. Trails are paved or well compacted. Some gradual elevation changes. Lots of offshoots to explore. Small parking lot at the trail head. Bathrooms near the lake (in the campground), not too bad. Plenty of picnic tables. Great hike for families, and can handle full size stroller.

I loved this trail! It was a nice and easy hike, making it perfect for all skill levels. The path winds through the forest, but the real reward is reaching the lake, where the views are absolutely breathtaking. It's a great spot for a picnic, and the bathroom facilities at the trailhead were a huge plus. This is an ideal spot for a relaxing bike ride or a scenic hike.

A beautiful trail to go on a morning run or an evening walk. Evenings are better as you can watch the sunset and it’s glorious, as you can see from the pictures. I went there late March and the trail barely had any snow. It’s a flat trail and people typically bring their family and their canine friends. Because of the nature of the trail, you don’t need any special shoes. It does get chilly near the lake because of the wind, so do carry multiple layers. Getting to the trail is pretty straightforward. Google directly takes you to the parking spot, and the trail to the lake is around a mile from there. If you want to take a break from skiing / snowboarding or want to relax at the end of the day, one of the things to definitely consider.

Brings you to the lake where there are picnic tables and there’s a trail up the hill that goes back to the parking area. Easy hike.

This is a good area to walk, for individuals and for families. Below are facts I have discovered about this place. Among them one can see the rationale for a high (but imperfect) score. Disclosure: I am local to the place but use it as an area to augment an entomological hobby. 1. There are restrooms and trash recepticles that are maintained. Parking is available just 15 feet from the trail. 2. The flora is a combination of high-desert, dry stuff, flowers, and marine plants. There is a sort of pond there. It's fine. 3. Creatures of interest observed along the path include: a. Dragonflies and damselflies b. Garter snakes, particularly in the mid-summer. c. Interesting insects if sought carefully include, praying mantis and velvet ants. Beware the sting of the velvet ant which is among the most painful of wasp stings on Earth. 4. Bike riders share this path with walkers and so, beware. I have seen several electrical motorbikes on this trail recently. 5. There is trash along the trail. Not a lot, but some. 6. Occasionally, I have found people sleeping outside the restroom. The path leads essentially to the Lake. It is enjoyable.

Got recommended by a local. Beautiful trail to walk or bike and to be with nature. Dog-friendly! Lots of luscious fields with long sugar pine trees and birds flying around. Trail goes to Nevada beach with panoramic view of snow-capped mountains and clear Lake Tahoe water. Was extremely peaceful🥰

The place started out to be serene and beautiful. We couldn't complete the entire trail since it started raining half the way. Would have to go back to complete this trail someday. What I would like to stress is how people have their dogs/bulldogs unleashed on this trail and they are growling around us especially our kid while the owner tells us the dogs were friendly, which was partly our reason to return back.

This is a fantastic place to enjoy and appreciate Lake Tahoe. You walk through pine trees in the sand until you hit the open beach. The views are amazing. You can park for free on the road just outside the beach park, but it’s only $12 to park right next to the beach if spots are available. It can be chilly even in the heat of the summer due to the strong breeze and cold water. There are several Canada geese strolling around the beach not bothering anyone unless you try to feed them. It’s a fantastic place to watch the sunset.

Easy in and out, restrooms were easily available and we had access to the water with minimal interruption because it wasn’t too busy. Super clean, tons of benches to sit and eat (bring your own food and drink). And only $12 to get in! Would highly recommend to anyone visiting for the first time like we were

We’ve been coming to Nevada Beach for years — it’s our family’s favorite quick escape in South Lake Tahoe. We arrived around 4 PM and parked right inside the beach area (just $12). The walk to the water is super short, and the views are breathtaking. The beach has clean restrooms (including handicap access), a cute wooden bridge, and soft clear water that’s cold but amazing — like a refreshing cold plunge for your skin and hair! Our kids went kayaking, and we saw others paragliding. There’s even space to play volleyball on the sand. To save time, we skipped sit-down restaurants and grabbed salads and snacks from the nearby Target (near the gondola area). Each salad was just $3.99 — healthy, easy, and perfect for a beach day. Highly recommend this spot for families looking to relax without the fuss. It’s peaceful, fun, clean, and absolutely stunning.

I paid $12 parking, there’s a sign stating that re-entry into the park is not guaranteed so just a heads up. It’s a nice and clean, decent size small beach, with a nice view of almost the entire Lake Tahoe. They had 3 bathrooms, right next to a water faucet and attached to the water faucet was a spot to wash the sand off your feet. The sand was not your typical beach sand you’d find at an ocean but it had slightly larger grains. It felt nice 🙌.

Great place with great views! You can find free parking and paid parking. The sand is always nice and clean, tends to be windy. There are picnic tables, bathrooms when it’s not in the winter months. I was here in May and there were no bathrooms due to “cold weather.” There are also drinking fountains.

Absolutely beautiful beach, clean and such clear water. We were undecided on which beach to go to, but glad we chose this one. You can park on the side of the road outside the gate and get in free and it’s not far at all to walk. We got there around 9 and there were already a fair amount of people, so I imagine it can get pretty busy, but it wasn’t bad at all when we were there.

It’s a beautiful beach on the Lake Tahoe probably the biggest one on the Nevada side. Quite crowded particularly in the weekends. Hence difficult to get parking. On other days it is more enjoyable. The beach is quite big and very popular among tourists. It’s not very shallow and hence the wave lashes quite forcefully. The views of the lake are superb 😊

Our hotel provided discount coupons for private beach access. $5 per person with coupon. $25 per person without. No alcohol allowed on the beach. You can go to the bar at the beach house for drinks. Spent several hours relaxing on the beach, paddle boarding and playing beersbee. Bathrooms were nice and there is foot washing station which was wonderful because the sand is coarse.

We stayed at a hotel near Lake Tahoe, just a 10-minute walk from this beach. The entrance fee is outrageous — $30 per adult and $20 per child — unless you have a hotel voucher, which makes it $5. We weren’t told about this at check-in, had only one voucher, and they still refused to let us in. They took the voucher, sent us back to the hotel on foot to get more, and when we returned, they wouldn’t take cash — only card or phone payment. Extremely inconvenient for visitors. The two girls at the entrance were slow and unprofessional. For $50 for me and my child, you get nothing but access to the sand. No chairs, no umbrellas, nothing. This place is overpriced, poorly managed, and not worth your time or money.

I was dissapointed to see that the most accessible beach charges 30usd per person per day. It's nice but not worth it. Having already spent so much on Car rental and accomadation as a tourist, this just pissed me off. It goes down to 10usd after 5pm

God it's beautiful in the winter. Middle if winter and the help is still out there breaking down ice so people don't slip. Lake is so clean

Hello, Can someone provide the hotel name that provides with the voucher for the beach entrance? Possibility an overview of the hotel as well would be very helpful and appreciated 💜 🤗

Now it’s 10$ but hey, the only place to access the beach in city and it’s to be paid for. So unfair. If u walk here and think to freely access beach don’t waste your time.

60$ for 2 adults. A joke

We really enjoyed this hike! It's pretty simple and gives you really nice views of the lake and surrounding valleys as well. :)

Great trail for biking and hiking. Big climb coming from the north side, but a very rewarding downhill.

Easy hike. Perfect view. Perfect for mountain biking!

home base and fav. use Strava heat map to find the secret shortcut.

Brick Trail lots of sub trails someday I'll get to see him on

Shhhh. Don't go here.

Duck n move.

The parking is the worse part about this hike. There are few spots available at the trailhead. We parked about a mile up the road In a larger parking spot which was nice the walk down to the trail was interesting. The was a fun hike to eagle falls. The initial hike to the falls is quick and easy to get to, there is a small pond before the falls. The longer hike is a longer hike but it was a great workout with beautiful views. When you finally get to the lake it’s an amazing few with clear blue water and only a few people make the climb all the way to the lake so it’s was nice and quite up there to soak up the beauty of nature.

GO EARLY!!!!! Parking is a nightmare later on. There are very few spots in the lot so you end up having to park on the road and walking back down to it. Be careful parking because you will likely have to park right up to the rock face. The falls are no big deal at least it wasn't when we were there but the real gem is to make the 30 minute hike to the lake. Gorgeous place to hang out. It gets crowded but is enjoyable. There is a rope swing along the right side of the lake. Very picturesque- reminds me of the Canadian Rockies.

The hike up to the lake is fairly easy, but there is about 500 feet of elevation gain. The views along the trail are spectacular, and the lake itself is stunning. The water was crystal clear, and the area is quite beautiful.

The hike to the falls from the parking lot is relatively short, but it’s almost all stone steps. About halfway there’s a nice level patch with a good view of the falls and a bench to take a break. The bridge over the falls offers a beautiful view down the valley with the lake in the distance. Go early. Parking fills up FAST.

Definitely hard parking during peak season so be mindful! Easy 10-15 minute walk to falls, lots of stairs! East- Moderate 1-2 hour hike to lake, but worth for the view!

Amazing hike and so so so so so worth it but when I say worth it I dont mean its hard but it is a mountain so that could look more intimidating then it really is . So go enjoy the beauty bask in the maagistic mountain air

There is a path to down to the lake water, before you enter the road. Please chill at this Eagle fall just few minutes walk from the parking lot !! It’s amazing 🤩 the water was super clean and cold, it’s said it’s clean enough to drink! The waterfall sounds great too

Rainbow Pool and it’s day use area are approximately 10 miles before the 120 entrance into Yosemite. The pool, waterfall and general use are amazing, especially because it’s free. It does have some major downsides. During the summer when people want to go swimming and can’t go to Yosemite, it seems like they ALL end up here. There is parking for maybe 20 cars, but people tend to park everywhere. If you decide you want to spend some time at this beautiful place, please be informed before you go. A few things you need to know include the fact that there is no services for at least 10 to 15 miles. This location has two vault toilets which unfortunately people tend not to respect and they end up dirty and smelly. Since this location is somewhat remote, you won’t have somewhere to throw away everything, so please I beg of you to plan to take everything with you when you leave. There are two things safety related that are very important. When there is the right amount of water, the waterfall looks like it might be fun to go over. I know of people who have done just that and ended up on a stretcher with a head brace and multiple broken bones. Many people don’t realize that the reason water at the bottom of a waterfall tends to be white is because it’s full of air bubbles. This makes it incredibly hard to try to stay above water. Also there’s a spot that people love to jump off that’s probably 15 to 20 feet above the swimming area. I am all for being crazy and having a ton of fun but seriously when you see what people do when jumping off that rock you will be startled and probably horrified. I’ve never seen anybody get hurt jumping but I would be extremely wary of jumping from that distance especially during the late summer when the waterfall is barely running and the water level is lower. If you really want the Rainbow Pool experience you will have a much better experience if you go on a weekday, get there somewhat early to get good parking and take your time having fun. Be safe out there!

It's a Beauty spot with a powerfull waterfall and a deep pool under it. The current is very strong so it is not suite for kids under 15-16 - be very cautious!!! Can get with the car vrry close to the water, needs to pay 10$ at the entry

Gorgeous family friendly swimming hole, with a major catch: You allow our national treasures to be privatized to rent-seeking vendors, they WILL NOT honor veterans, seniors, or other ‘America The Beautiful’ park pass holders. $10 cash in hand to profit-driven private companies, or you go home. The website DOES say they honor these passes, but no-go in my case. I didn’t have cash and it’s in the boonies. 🤷🏻‍♂️

It was fun, lots of people but there are some hidden spots downstream you can visit. I was bummed the forest service road to where the river splits is closed. I wanted to go check out the waterfall. I always think it’s crazy that they can close the roads that we pay for… anyways, had that been open my review would be 5 starts! Wonderful little rocky river.

Man oh man. I jumped from the four story cliff and I felt so alive! It’s a nice free stop on your way to Yosemite. It’s a locals secret accessible to everyone. You’ll fine all the teens from the surrounding camp grounds having fun. Your friends will be impressed you know about this hidden gem.

I was sadly disappointed. When we went the bathrooms were absolutely disgusting, garbage inside and out. People who visit were not concerned at all with our planet. There was trash in the parking lot. There was trash along the stairs and down by the water. There was even spots were people obviously should have used the restroom instead of where they went. I wish people would be more respectful of public use areas.

Loved this place. Went on father's day weekend and wasn't busy. Great place for a picnic and spend part of the afternoon. The pools are cold but that didn't stop people from cliff diving.