6 Best Places to Paddle Board in South Lake Tahoe, CA

Discover the serene beauty of South Lake Tahoe.

With its crystal-clear waters and breathtaking scenery, South Lake Tahoe offers some of the best places to paddle board in the region.

Embrace the thrill of gliding on the tranquil lake while taking in the magnificent vistas. Are you ready to begin this unforgettable adventure?

Map

Planning Your Paddle in South Lake Tahoe

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

• Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from June through October. July is the warmest month, averaging 80 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
• Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.

Where to Paddle Board in South Lake Tahoe

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 El Dorado Beach

• 🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
• 📍️ Access Point: El Dorado Beach Boat Ramp (Google Maps)
• 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, clear alpine lake water, can be windy in the afternoon
• ☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and early fall
• 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Trout, crawfish, ducks, geese
• 🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Heavenly Mountain, surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains
• ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Use caution in windy conditions, cold water can be a risk

El Dorado Beach is a popular South Lake Tahoe spot for paddleboarding. The beach has easy access and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

The calm waters allow for a perfect paddleboarding experience.

#2 Baldwin Beach

• 🏖️ Location Type: Lake
• 📍️ Access Point: Baldwin Beach Parking Area (Google Maps)
• 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm, clear alpine lake water
• ☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and early fall
• 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Trout, crawfish, ducks, geese
• 🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Tallac Historic Site, surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains
• ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Use caution in windy conditions, cold water can be a risk

Baldwin Beach, situated on the south shore of Lake Tahoe, is known for its pristine shoreline and incredible mountain views.

This paddleboarding spot offers a serene and picturesque experience in the heart of South Lake Tahoe.

#3 Timber Cove Marina

• 🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
• 📍️ Access Point: Timber Cove Marina Boat Ramp (Google Maps)
• 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, clear alpine lake water, can be windy in the afternoon
• ☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and early fall
• 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Trout, crawfish, ducks, geese
• 🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Stateline casinos, surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains
• ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Use caution in windy conditions, cold water can be a risk

Timber Cove Marina, located in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, offers paddleboarders easy access to the calm crystal-clear waters of the lake.

The marina provides a stunning view of the Stateline casinos and surrounding mountains, making it a picturesque paddleboarding location.

#4 Kiva Beach

• 🏖️ Location Type: Lake
• 📍️ Access Point: Kiva Beach Parking Area (Google Maps)
• 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, clear alpine lake water, can be windy in the afternoon
• ☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and early fall
• 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Trout, crawfish, ducks, geese
• 🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Mount Tallac, surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains
• ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Use caution in windy conditions, cold water can be a risk

Kiva Beach, a hidden gem on the south shore of Lake Tahoe, offers paddleboarders a secluded and tranquil experience.

With majestic views of Mount Tallac and other surrounding mountains, it’s a perfect spot for a serene paddleboarding adventure.

#5 Pope Beach

• 🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
• 📍️ Access Point: Pope Beach Parking Area (Google Maps)
• 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, clear alpine lake water, can be windy in the afternoon
• ☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and early fall
• 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Trout, crawfish, ducks, geese
• 🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Nearby marina, surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains
• ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Use caution in windy conditions, cold water can be a risk

Pope Beach, another beautiful spot on the south shore, is a favorite destination for paddleboarding.

The calm waters and stunning mountain views provide an idyllic backdrop for a day on the water. With a nearby marina, it offers easy access and ample amenities.

#6 Camp Richardson

• 🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
• 📍️ Access Point: Camp Richardson Resort & Marina (Google Maps)
• 🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm, clear alpine lake water, can be windy in the afternoon
• ☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and early fall
• 🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Trout, crawfish, ducks, geese
• 🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Historic site, surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains
• ⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Use caution in windy conditions, cold water can be a risk

Camp Richardson, a historic resort and marina in South Lake Tahoe, offers paddleboarders a unique experience.

With a charming backdrop of the resort and surrounding mountains, it’s an ideal location for a leisurely paddleboarding session on the lake’s crystal-clear waters.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

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• Typefoam, paddle cut
• ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

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• Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
• Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case

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• RatingIP68 certified, 1 m for 30 minutes
• Floatsyes

A pouch you can still swipe through, so the map stays usable and the phone survives the swim you did not plan.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Waterproof Smartphone Bags

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag, 20L Roll Top with Phone Case

Dry bag

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• Capacity20 L, range from 10 to 55 L
• Material500D PVC tarpaulin

Keys, a dry layer and something to eat, strapped to the deck. Twenty litres is the size most paddlers end up with.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best Dry Bags for Paddle Boarding

Cressi Minorca Long 3mm Crew Diving Boots

Water shoes

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• Typetall neoprene boot
• Thickness3 mm

Launch spots are rarely soft. Neoprene boots deal with sharp gravel, hidden glass and water that is colder than the air.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Shoes for Paddle Boarding

FAQ

Paddle Boarding Near South Lake Tahoe

Looking for another spot on the same trip? These guides cover the closest paddling waters we have mapped around South Lake Tahoe.

• Lake Tahoe (7 miles north)
• Sacramento (82 miles west)
• Mammoth Lakes (108 miles southeast)
• Napa Valley (125 miles west)