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Kings Beach, California

The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Kings Beach, California, include the top-rated Brockway Summit Tahoe Rim Trail. This 20-mile loop provides panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada range, making it a must-visit for those who appreciate scenic beauty. The trail is moderately challenging, with sections of steep inclines and rocky terrain. Along the way, you will pass through dense forests, open meadows, and cross several creeks. Another outdoor adventure is paddleboarding at Kings Beach State Recreation Area. The calm, clear waters of Lake Tahoe make it an ideal spot for this activity. Nearby, the Old Brockway Golf Course offers a different kind of outdoor fun with its 9-hole layout. Remember to pack your hiking boots and paddleboard and get ready for some of the best outdoor adventures in California.

Top Spots in and near Kings Beach

  • Kings Beach, California

    SUP from Kings Beach

    5.0
    This is a super fun way to enjoy the day, get some exercise and see some really cool parts of the lake that are usually hidden. You can rent boards/ paddles at a few different places either for the day or by the hour. Bring some water, sun block and a camera...if you dare! Once the day is done ...
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  • Incline Village, Nevada

    Quick Hike and Photo Op at Stateline

    5.0
    2 mi
    This quick 2-mile RT hike takes you to a lookout point above the Stateline of California and Nevada. The road to the lookout is paved so beginners can make the trek to the top in the summer; winter covers the road with snow, so snowshoes or boots are recommended. The lookout offers spectacular vi...
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  • Incline Village, Nevada

    Walk to the Historic Stateline Fire Lookout site

    5.0
    1.8 mi / 340 ft gain
    The hike up to the Historic Stateline Fire Lookout above Lake Tahoe's Crystal Bay area is somewhat of a misnomer, as the fire lookout no longer exists. Instead, the path, which follows a paved forest road, up to the site where the tower once stood will bring hikers to a panoramic viewpoint that l...
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  • Carnelian Bay, California

    Explore Carnelian Bay

    5.0
    Located on the northwest side of Lake Tahoe, Carnelian Bay is a fun place to spend the afternoon. However, there is no sand at Carnelian Bay as the ground is all large rocks. It's a great place to go swimming or SUPing in the summer, and it has a pier that you can jump off.  It is usually less cr...
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  • Incline Village, Nevada

    Bike or Take a Stroll along the Tahoe East Shore Trail

    5.0
    2.75 mi / 300 ft gain
    Lake Tahoe's East Shore Trail is a wide paved walking and cycling path running between Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park. Opened in 2019, the path lies completely separate from the road, sometimes hovering well above it on the mountainside, and other times running parallel to it on a bri...
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  • Incline Village, Nevada

    Monkey Rock

    4.7
    2.64 mi / 463 ft gain
    Monkey Rock is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, Nevada.
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  • Sand Harbor, Nevada

    Surf Lake Tahoe at Sand Harbor

    5.0
    Surfing Lake Tahoe is a rare opportunity which only happens when there is a lot of wind. It's nothing like surfing in the ocean. There are mountains in the background, the water is fresh, and generally the waves are small. You can see if there are waves on the drive there (if driving counter-cloc...
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  • Washoe County, Nevada

    Sand Harbor Nature Trail

    4.5
    0.54 mi / 33 ft gain
    While Sand Harbor Park is a popular summer destination, the sunsets from this spot are breathtaking year round and you will have less company in the winter. The park is located right off of Highway 28 and has an admission fee of $7. There is a parking lot that fills up quickly in the summer, so a...
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  • New Washoe City, Nevada

    Sand Harbor Beach

    4.8
    This is what you would call a family beach. It is clean, beautiful, and well maintained. The admission price for vehicles has gone up quite a bit, but based on the economy and the fact that this park remains clean and glass-free, you really cannot complain. The beach gets pretty crowded and they ...
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  • New Washoe City, Nevada

    SUP from Sand Harbor

    4.5
    My favorite is to take a trip from Sand Harbor State Beach to Thunderbird Lodge along the East Shore in Lake Tahoe. Start by traveling to Sand Harbor State Beach, park in the parking lot and bring your equipment to the sandy shore. Hop on your board and begin heading south along the East Shore...
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  • Tahoe City, California

    Photograph the Lupine at Lake Forest Beach

    A quick walk through Lake Forest Beach in Tahoe City, California provides unparalleled opportunities to photograph expansive fields of lupine. These brilliant purple wildflowers cover the lowland shore of this public beach each summer, typically starting in mid-July through mid-August. In drought...
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  • Tahoe City, California

    Purple Trail and Burton Creek Loop

    3.76 mi / 492 ft gain
    Burton Creek State Park is a moderate hike. It is a secluded peaceful hike that offers amazing views of the lake. This is a popular spot for mountain bikers, but is also ideal for hiking.  Much of the trail is through the forest and there are many maps and signs pointing out the trails. The hike ...
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  • New Washoe City, Nevada

    Photograph Bonsai Rock

    5.0
    Bonsai Rock is a popular attraction for photographers as it is a unique boulder with tiny trees growing out of it, enclosed next to the shoreline. This makes it a beautiful place to enjoy a scenic sunset, as well as play with some long exposure photography.It's located on the east side of Lake Ta...
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  • Carson City, Nevada

    Relax at Tahoe's Chimney Beach

    5.0
    2.2 mi
    Located on the East Bank of Lake Tahoe along Highway 28, Chimney Beach is a great alternative to the more popular and heavily used beaches which can be quite a challenge to gain access due to the parking limitations during the busy summer months and on weekends.From the parking area on the east s...
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  • Carson City, Nevada

    Marlette Lake via Chimney Beach Trailhead

    4.0
    5.96 mi / 1713 ft gain
    This trail starts right off NV28 between Chimney Beach and Great Tahoe Beach. Around 30 minute drive from South Lake Tahoe and the CA/NV border, we arrived close to 10am with plenty of parking available. While it seemed the trail was heavily used by mountain bikes, we encountered zero during our ...
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  • New Washoe City, Nevada

    Chicadee Ridge

    5.0
    1.69 mi / 289 ft gain
    Chicadee Ridge is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, Nevada.
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Camping and Lodging in Kings Beach

Alpine Meadows Campground
Truckee, California

Alpine Meadows Campground

Mount Rose (Nv)
Reno, Nevada

Mount Rose (Nv)

William Kent Campground
Tahoe City, California

William Kent Campground

Goose Meadows
Truckee, California

Goose Meadows

Granite Flat (California)
Truckee, California

Granite Flat (California)

Kaspian Campground
Homewood, California

Kaspian Campground

Guides, Insights and Stories from Kings Beach

Top Locations for Photography at Lake Tahoe

Top Locations for Photography at Lake Tahoe

Kyle Reader

Why You Should Hike Tahoe's Mount Tallac

Why You Should Hike Tahoe's Mount Tallac

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Home Sweet...Hut

Home Sweet...Hut

Clif Bar

Lake Tahoe's Least Crowded and Most Photogenic Campsite

Lake Tahoe's Least Crowded and Most Photogenic Campsite

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Review: Hibear All-Day Adventure Flask

Review: Hibear All-Day Adventure Flask

Kristi Teplitz

Nordica Strider 115 Women’s Ski Boot Review

Nordica Strider 115 Women’s Ski Boot Review

Kristi Teplitz