A popular West Coast beach will soon require visitors to make a reservation ahead of time due to overcrowding and the influx of tourists during peak season.
Beginning August 17 through October 13, Sand Harbor State Park, part of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, will begin a trial period requiring beachgoers to pre-register on weekends and holidays to be granted beach access .
Those wanting to do an advance reservation will incur a nonrefundable $5 fee, but same-day reservations will not be subject to the fee, with the portal opening July 1 for reservations this summer.
“This new system is intended to reduce traffic congestion on Highway 28, improve travel planning and ease congestion,” said Tyler Kerver, Nevada State Parks education and information officer. ABC News. “This initial trial period will help staff and visitors adapt to the new procedures, with full implementation set for April 2025.”
The full rollout of the system in 2025 will allow visitors to make reservations for all seven days of the week between April 15 and October 15.
Reservations are required from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Anyone wishing to visit the beach after this time will admission is allowed on a first-come, first-served basis until the park reaches capacity and the parking lots close.
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The reservation system will be carried out through Nevada Reservation portal, which is already in use to help campers navigate the state's pre-reserve sites before their trips.
According to Nevada Division of State ParksSand Harbor recorded 365,000 visitors in 2012. Last year, the park had 1.3 million visitors — an increase of over 250% and nearly 1 million visitors.
It has been evaluated that 15 million people visit Lake Tahoe each year.