Can you reserve a site at Kiva Picnic Area?

No. Kiva Picnic Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Kiva Picnic Area

Facility · Nevada ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Eldorado National Forest (NF) · Open Access

6,249 ft
Elevation

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.

38.93900, -120.04800 · 38°56'20.4"N 120°2'52.8"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	6.0	5.6	4.6	2.1	1.5	0.6	0.3	0.3	0.5	2.1	3.5	6.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

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Common questions about Kiva Picnic Area

Can you reserve a site at Kiva Picnic Area?: No. Kiva Picnic Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Kiva Picnic Area

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RV Village Campground at Camp Richardson Resort 0.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
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Nevada Beach Campground 6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Desolation Wilderness Permit 6.7 mi · Permit · we watch it
Valhalla 0.2 mi · Facility
Baldwin Beach 1 mi · Facility
Cascade Falls 2.8 mi · Facility
Bayview Trailhead and Day-Use Area 2.8 mi · Campground
Lake Tahoe - South Shore 2.9 mi · Facility
Sawmill Pond 12N30 3.8 mi · Facility

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Info Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.