Sand Harbor State Park Main beach

A Brief History

Long before Lake Tahoe became a world-famous recreation destination, the shores of Sand Harbor were a seasonal home for the Washoe people, who fished, hunted, and gathered along Tahoe’s eastern shoreline. In the late 1800s, the harbor played an important role in Nevada’s mining history as lumber harvested around the lake was transported through Sand Harbor to help supply the booming Comstock mines. Later, the area became part of the vast Lake Tahoe holdings of George Whittell Jr., whose vision for the east shore never fully materialized. In 1958, a portion of Sand Harbor was opened to the public, and in 1971 it became part of Nevada's system of State Parks. Today, more than a million visitors each year enjoy its crystal-clear waters, granite boulders, and world-renowned beaches. 

A Toast to Tahoe

Shoe Tree Brewing is raising a glass to one of Nevada’s most beloved destinations with Sand Harbor Helles, the first beer created through a new partnership between Shoe Tree Brewing and the Nevada State Parks Foundation.

Inspired by the clear waters, sunny beaches, and laid-back summer atmosphere of Lake Tahoe’s east shore, this crisp and refreshing Helles lager celebrates the natural beauty that has made Sand Harbor an icon of the Sierra Nevada. More than just a great beer, Sand Harbor Helles supports Nevada’s state parks, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Nevada State Parks Foundation. Those funds help support park improvements, restroom restoration projects, trail and facility enhancements, educational programs, volunteer efforts, and cleanup projects across the state.

Like the park itself, Sand Harbor Helles brings people together to enjoy Nevada’s outdoors while helping preserve these special places for future generations. Every sip supports Nevada State Parks.

White Sandy Beaches

One of the first questions visitors ask is how Sand Harbor has such beautiful sandy beaches when much of Lake Tahoe’s shoreline is rocky. The answer lies in the geology of Tahoe’s east shore. Over thousands of years, weathering and erosion broke down the surrounding granite into tiny mineral grains, creating the light-colored sand that blankets Sand Harbor’s coves and beaches. Combined with the park’s gently sloping shoreline and crystal-clear water, these sandy beaches create some of the most inviting swimming areas on Lake Tahoe.