An 0.8-mile fitness trail, a community-owned ski resort above town and four access-restricted beaches reflect the range of experiences in Incline Village. When choosing where to stay, it’s worth first deciding what you want to focus on during your trip: beaches and water sports, winter sports, fitness or local history. Especially for beaches and seasonal offerings, factor their respective access and operating conditions into your plans.
Beaches, Water and Access
The Incline Village General Improvement District manages four access-restricted beaches in Incline Village. They are reserved for holders of an IVGID Picture Pass or a Recreation Punch Card with beach access, as well as their guests. Before visiting a beach, check whether you have the required authorization. The individual beach areas differ in what they offer: Burnt Cedar Beach has a small sandy beach with a protected swimming cove, an outdoor pool with a waterslide and an adjacent children’s wading pool. There is also a launch area for paddleboards and kayaks. Incline Beach has a sandy beach and a swimming area.
Ski Beach features a boat launch, picnic areas, a bocce court and a volleyball court. The east side of the boat ramp is reserved for privately owned, non-motorized watercraft, including kayaks, canoes and small sailboats. This rule applies to this ramp area; plan your watercraft launch accordingly.
Sand Harbor State Park is another highlight: The park’s eastern shore has gently sloping beaches, crystal-clear water and striking rock formations. Activities available there include swimming, kayaking and scuba diving. The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival takes place in the park every summer; check the program for the relevant season separately. The Sand Harbor Visitor Center and Gift Shop offers self-guided tours, informative exhibits and local information. Check operating details before visiting.
Sports by Season
Diamond Peak is a community-owned ski resort above Incline Village. The terrain caters to skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels and covers 655 acres, with a vertical drop of 1,840 feet. When planning, take the operating season and snow conditions into account. The public Incline Village Championship Golf Course is also seasonal: The 18-hole course on Lake Tahoe was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and offers lake views. If golf or skiing is the focus of your trip, plan your travel dates around the relevant seasonal conditions.
For other sports, the Incline Village Tennis & Pickleball Center offers seven tennis courts and 15 pickleball courts; its operations are weather-dependent. Holman Family Bike Park includes a pump track, flow lines for beginners and intermediate riders, and jumps. All ages and ability levels are welcome. Maintenance or weather may lead to closures; factor this into your plans.
Trails and Fitness
The Incline Village Fitness Trail is an 0.8-mile fitness path with 18 stations. It runs through the woods beside Incline Creek and is suitable year-round for walking, running, snowshoeing, cycling and exercise. In winter, snow conditions affect its use. The trail brings several ways to stay active together on a manageable route, while seasonal changes matter especially for winter activities.
The Tahoe East Shore Trail is a three-mile section: It starts on a mountainside, passes under the highway and then follows a rough, rocky shoreline. Its 23 interpretive signs cover regional history, the environment and local wildlife. The trail also has restrooms, benches, bike racks and signs at scenic viewpoints. It provides direct access to public beaches, coves and trails along Nevada’s scenic coast. The Lake Tahoe Flume Trail is also near Incline Village: This singletrack trail is carved into steep granite cliffs and overlooks Lake Tahoe.
Sports Facilities and History
The Incline Village Recreation Center has an indoor 25-yard pool with eight lanes. It offers aqua fitness classes, swimming and diving programs, and lap swimming. Skateboarding enthusiasts will find two side-by-side, five-foot-high bowls in the advanced area of Incline Skate Park, connected by a spine. The Incline Village Parks & Recreation Department also runs skateboard camps and classes for young people, led by Village Skate School instructors Cedar Gateley and Clayton Green.
The Great Incline of the Sierra Nevada offers a glimpse into the past: Its remains are on the mountain above Incline Village. The 4,000-foot lift was completed in 1880 by the Sierra Nevada Wood and Lumber Company. Together with today’s sports and beach offerings, this makes for a trip where you can choose between outdoor activities and a look at the town’s history.
Discover more destinations: Reno, Crystal Bay, Lemmon Valley-Golden Valley, Cold Springs, Sparks.
Go to the main travel overview: Washoe.
