Recreation area

Kiva Picnic Area

California — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Kiva picnic area is situated on the south shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe on Highway 89 approximately three miles northwest of the City of South Lake Tahoe. Nestled among native pine trees, Kiva picnic area offers a quiet beach location with a wide range of recreational activities. Kiva picnic area is a National Forest day use area operated by the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Kiva picnic area sits between the Taylor Creek Visitor Center and the Tallac Historic Site. There are restrooms and picnic tables. Please note: Campfires and portable charcoal grills are not allowed on the beach.

Getting there

Kiva picnic area is located on the south side of Lake Tahoe, 3 miles north of the "Y" (the intersection of Highway 50 and Highway 89) in South Lake Tahoe. The picnic area can be accessed by turning at the Tallac Historic Site sign off of Highway 89.

Activities

  • PICNICKING
  • BIKING
  • HIKING
  • WILDLIFE VIEWING
  • SWIMMING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more California camping

Kiva Picnic Area doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby California campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.