This U.S. Summer Hotspot Will Now Require Beachgoers to Make a Reservation If you want to visit Sand Harbor State Park in Nevada, there's a list.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Gado/Getty Images
Beach tents and visitors on the sand of Main Beach at Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park.

A popular beach on the West Coast will soon require visitors to make a reservation ahead of time due to overcrowding and an influx of tourists during peak season.

Beginning August 17 through October 13, Sand Harbor State Park, a part of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, will initiate a trial period requiring beachgoers to pre-register on weekends and holidays to be granted access to the beach.

Those wishing to make a reservation in advance will be charged a non-refundable $5 fee but same-day reservations will not be subjected to a fee, with the portal opening on July 1 for bookings this summer.

Related: One of the 'Most Photographed' Fall Farms Is Banning Visitors Due to an 'Unprecedented Surge' of Influencers

"This new system aims to reduce traffic congestion on Highway 28, improve trip planning and alleviate overcrowding," Nevada State Parks' education and information officer, Tyler Kerver, told ABC News. "This initial trial period will help staff and visitors adjust 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 a week between April 15 and October 15.

Reservations are required between 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Anyone wishing to visit the beach after that time will be granted admission on a first come, first serve basis until the park reaches capacity and the parking lots are shut down.

Related: Venice, Italy to Charge 5 Euro Enter Fee for 'Day Tourists'

The reservation system will be run through the Reserve Nevada portal, which is already in use to help campers across the state pre-reserve spots ahead of their trips.

According to the Nevada Division of State Parks, Sand Harbor recorded 365,000 visitors in 2012. Last year, the park counted 1.3 million visitors — an increase of over 250% and nearly 1 million visitors.

It's estimated that 15 million people visit Lake Tahoe every year.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

A Defense Startup With Billions in Contracts Launched a Recruiting Campaign Warning People Not to Work There

Anduril Industries is going viral for its "don't work at Anduril" recruiting campaign.

Business News

Meta Reportedly Keeps Lists of Ex-Employees It Won't Rehire — Including Top Performers

Two former Meta managers said they could add former employees to the lists, even those without documented performance problems.

Business News

AI Agents Can Help Businesses Be '10 Times More Productive,' According to a Nvidia VP. Here's What They Are and How Much They Cost.

In a new interview with Entrepreneur, Nvidia's Vice President of AI Software, Kari Briski, explains how AI agents will "transform" the way we work — and sooner than you think.

Business News

'We're Not Effective': Starbucks CEO Tells Corporate Employees to 'Own Whether or Not This Place Grows'

After layoffs, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said in an internal meeting that the company's operations had to change.