Pope Beach has long been one of South Lake Tahoe’s most well-loved beaches. Join other families spending the day here enjoying the shallow clean waters, picnicking under the shade of pine trees, trying various watersports and relaxing in the peaceful atmosphere of the beach, which is enhanced by the absence of buzzing engine-driven watercraft.
Stretching for almost 1 mile (2 kilometers), Pope Beach is a 300-foot-wide (90-meter) expanse of powdery sand separating the Truckee Marsh from Lake Tahoe. Bask under the summer sunshine and enjoy shelter from the winds that often blow across the lake. Swim in the placid lake. This beach is considered one of the cleanest and shallowest in the region and therefore perfect for younger children and less confident swimmers.
Bring a picnic along and make good use of the picnic tables and grills, which are dotted along the length of the beach. Pope Beach is managed by the United States Forest Service, which may place restrictions on the use of grills during times of fire safety concern. Follow guidelines and enjoy a delightful experience cooking hearty barbecued hamburgers in the open air. Alternatively, buy some tasty snacks from the beach’s snack shack.
The calm waters of Pope Beach make it an ideal place for novices to try watersports. Rent a paddleboard or kayak and explore the beautiful coastline. Try windsurfing on breezy days. On land, bicycle along the gentle paved Pope Baldwin Bike Path, which winds through the national forest between the shoreline and Emerald Bay Road.
Drive about 5 miles (8 kilometers) west of the center of South Lake Tahoe to reach Pope Beach. Enjoy the site’s excellent facilities including restrooms and wheelchair access. There is a daily fee for use of the parking lot, which stretches the length of the beach. Drive north on the western side of Lake Tahoe to reach Emerald Bay and two pretty state parks with excellent views of the lake from rocky cliffs.
