Lake Tahoe

California · CA

Ways in

Emerald Bay State Park / Vikingsholm Parking Lot day-use parkingOfficial
Vehicle parking at Emerald Bay / Vikingsholm lot · California State Parks day use on the same date
One hour or one day
$10Book
D. L. Bliss State Park vehicle day-use parkingOfficial
Vehicle day use at D. L. Bliss State Park
One day
$10Book
Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park vehicle day-use parkingOfficial
Vehicle day use at Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
One day
$10Book
Kings Beach State Recreation Area parking/day useOfficial
Vehicle parking and day use at Kings Beach State Recreation Area
One hour or one day
$10Book
Tahoe Regional Annual PassOfficial
Vehicle day use at D. L. Bliss State Park · Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park · Emerald Bay State Park · Kings Beach State Recreation Area · Donner Memorial State Park
12 months from purchase month
$75Book
Lake Forest Boat Ramp nonresident daily launchOfficial
Daily boat launch at Lake Forest Boat Ramp, Tahoe City
One day
$75Book

Free entry: Lake Tahoe itself is free to visit from public roads, legal public shore access, and public trails. There is no central admission ticket, reservation, or timed-entry system; individual parks, parking lots, boat launches, and commercial activities can charge separately.

Sold out? If Emerald Bay/Vikingsholm parking is full, do not buy third-party parking passes or park on Highway 89; illegal roadside parking is enforced and may lead to towing. In shuttle season, use the Emerald Bay Shuttle; otherwise arrive before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m., or switch to another public shore access point such as Sugar Pine Point, Kings Beach, or D. L. Bliss if open.

Permits & reservations

Lake Tahoe itself has no entry ticket, timed entry, permit, or lottery and is free to visit from lawful public access. For Sand Harbor, Nevada, morning vehicle reservations are required during its stated seasonal reservation period; make the vehicle reservation before arrival. Nevada charges a $5 reservation processing fee when booked before the arrival day, in addition to the park vehicle entry fee.

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