Kings Beach State Recreation Area
Kings Beach State Recreation Area
Kings Beach State Recreation Area
4.3
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.3
212 reviews
Excellent
99
Very good
84
Average
20
Poor
3
Terrible
6
Christine P
Clifton, VA325 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
My first impression of King’s Beach was just meh. It was crowded and the water didn’t look all that great, but we came back a few times and it grew on my. I should mention that we visited King’s Beach after experiencing Sand Harbor first, so we were a bit spoiled with turquoise, clear water.
I appreciate the fact that King’s Beach is easily accessible. You don’t have to get up at the crack of dawn to get in. It’s a busy area, but it’s not too difficult to get a parking space in the paid lot or on the street. The amenities are decent. You have bathrooms, foot rinse area, nearby places to grab a bite, and vendors on the beach for kayak, jet ski, and SUP rentals.
Unlike other parts of Lake Tahoe, the water is very shallow for quite a ways out. This is sort of a pain for kayaks/SUPs, but really nice if you have small children who just want to splash and play. There is also plenty of shade and picnic benches.
Even though it is very crowded during the day, it clears out in the late afternoon and evening so you can enjoy the sunset and see the moon rise over the lake. Even though this isn’t the most scenic part of Lake Tahoe, the convenience and ease of access make it a worthwhile stop.
I appreciate the fact that King’s Beach is easily accessible. You don’t have to get up at the crack of dawn to get in. It’s a busy area, but it’s not too difficult to get a parking space in the paid lot or on the street. The amenities are decent. You have bathrooms, foot rinse area, nearby places to grab a bite, and vendors on the beach for kayak, jet ski, and SUP rentals.
Unlike other parts of Lake Tahoe, the water is very shallow for quite a ways out. This is sort of a pain for kayaks/SUPs, but really nice if you have small children who just want to splash and play. There is also plenty of shade and picnic benches.
Even though it is very crowded during the day, it clears out in the late afternoon and evening so you can enjoy the sunset and see the moon rise over the lake. Even though this isn’t the most scenic part of Lake Tahoe, the convenience and ease of access make it a worthwhile stop.
Written 29 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Previa1994
Chicago, IL6 608 contributions
Jul 2022
I stopped at Kings Beach State Recreation Area on my driving vacation around Lake Tahoe on a weekday in July. It is a very enjoyable recreation area right next to a busy tourist area (restaurants, shops, motels). Parking costs money ($10). The beach has nice recreational options, picnic tables, and beautiful scenery. I certainly enjoyed my short visit. I would recommend this stop if it is not too crowded.
Written 14 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Balasubramanian R
Chennai (Madras), India807 contributions
Oct 2022
Kings beach area is situated on the northern part of Lake Tahoe in CA. Beach area is little larger western side Lake. View is nice. Parking facilities are available and free street parking facility is there for 2 hours.
Written 15 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph Robba
Charlotte, NC2 241 contributions
Sept 2020
On a busy Tahoe summer day, Kings beach might be the easiest place to find parking (which can still be difficult). We traversed the entire lake on our first day in Tahoe just looking for a place where we could get down to the waters edge, and it was not easy at all.
Kings beach, lacks the picturesque, idyllic views that you think of when you think of Lake Tahoe, but outside of South Lake Tahoe, it is probably the most populated area of the lake, meaning there are places to eat, to rent water sports activity items from, and there is dedicated parking.
The beach is right off of the main road, and it's large enough for a large crowd to spread out and find space for themselves.
Out of all the beaches in the Tahoe area, it was probably our least favorite, but if you're just looking to find a way to get in the lake, it will do.
Kings beach, lacks the picturesque, idyllic views that you think of when you think of Lake Tahoe, but outside of South Lake Tahoe, it is probably the most populated area of the lake, meaning there are places to eat, to rent water sports activity items from, and there is dedicated parking.
The beach is right off of the main road, and it's large enough for a large crowd to spread out and find space for themselves.
Out of all the beaches in the Tahoe area, it was probably our least favorite, but if you're just looking to find a way to get in the lake, it will do.
Written 10 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fred L
Bethesda, MD1 431 contributions
Feb 2021
My family and I were on vacation in Kings Beach and we stopped to explore Kings Beach Park to help our girls (5 & 7) to burn off some extra energy. It was winter so it was just us and a handful of other people. There is a really nice play structure that the girls spent a long time playing on. The view is spectacular and it's a great spot to take photos. It's so wild to be able to stand on a beach see the nearby snow capped mountains. The water is so clear. You can almost walk to the end of the pier and still be able to see through it. Though I am sure that this place is very popular in the summer, I would recommend stopping here no matter what time of year you are passing through the Kings Beach area.
Written 16 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jen B
Grants Pass, OR12 contributions
Aug 2020
We arrived at the beach at 9am on a Tuesday- the parking lot was already about midway full and being monitored. (Parking $10.) By the time we got a spot and all set up, crowds of families were flooding in. My best advice would be to get there early to secure a spot, and expect A LOT of people!
Written 10 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TGARCIA3164
Lacey, WA101 contributions
Aug 2021
We always make a trip to Kings Beach when we visit Reno. There are many little shops and places to eat. We like to bring tubes and just float in the lake. The water is clean, clear, and actually warm. It's $10 for an all day parking pass at the recreation area. They do provide fairly clean restrooms, electric plugs to blow up inflatables, and trash cans. A nice day trip area.
Written 10 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aaron Shelby
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates612 contributions
Jul 2022
We stopped at Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe, California for a quick visit on the way to Napa, CA. The water was cool, the beach was clean, and the air was fresh! What more could you ask for on a warm July day? Kings Beach, CA is definitely a jewel on the shore of Lake Tahoe and is not to be missed.
Written 5 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
adventix
Boston, MA2 041 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
A long stretch of beach with beautiful snowy mountain around it. Parking lots next to the beach are usually full but you can find more parking a short distance away. Street parking is free for 2 hours. Restrooms and porta potties are available. No lifeguard.
Written 6 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
H C
Raleigh, NC158 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
What can you say about the view....amazing! Lake Tahoe surrounded by majestic mountains, just doesn't get any better...unless it had a recreation area with more parking! The beach area itself was quite large, but the parking was very limited and a bit difficult to navigate. If you're in the area though, worth a stop for some nice photos.
Written 19 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there good (medium level) hiking in kings beach in March?
Written 22 January 2020
Yes, although March is early and will most likely involve icy, slushy, or muddy trails. Remember, ski areas are usually still turning chairs into April. Just above KB on 267 the Tahoe Rim Trail cuts across the highway. If you up (mountain side) there is a gradual medium incline with a huge view payoff at Picnic Rock. You can be up and down in 1.5hrs. If you wait to start around 11 on a sunny day, it can be quite warm when you summit. It’s a 6min drive from KB Rec Area.
A lake level paved trail that is new last year goes from IV to Sand Harbor, which would most likely be dry if it hasn’t snowed in a while. It’s only 8min from KB Rec Area.
Written 22 January 2020
What can I do here in February?
Written 23 September 2017
Very little at the beach, which will be covered with snow. However, you can enjoy winter sports at the nearby ski resorts.
Written 23 September 2017
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