Camp Richardson Resort Beach
Beach · 6,232 ft · Lake Tahoe corridor
Camp Richardson Resort Beach sits on Lake Tahoe's southwest shore at 6232 feet, sheltered by granite ridges. The cove stays calmer than the open lake to the east, making it accessible on mornings when exposed waters turn rough.
Wind builds predictably by mid-afternoon as thermals funnel off the lake; mornings are glassy. Water temperature tracks elevation and season, staying cool even in peak summer. The beach fills by late morning on weekends but clears by evening.
Over the past 30 days, the average wind has held at 7 mph with peaks near 21 mph, and temperatures averaged 42 degrees Fahrenheit. The NoGo Score has averaged 14, meaning conditions are mostly go but with afternoon wind as the consistent hazard. The week ahead follows the same pattern: watch for wind gusts after 10 a.m. on most days.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Camp Richardson Resort Beach
Camp Richardson Resort Beach occupies a protected cove on the southwest arm of Lake Tahoe, roughly 25 miles south of the lake's western rim. The beach is accessed via Highway 89 south from South Lake Tahoe or north from the Placerville corridor. The resort property itself has parking and facilities; the public beach sections are adjacent. The location sits at 6232 feet elevation in the high Sierra, giving it a shorter seasonal window than valley floors but more stable weather than exposed ridge terrain.
The beach experiences the classic high-altitude lake pattern: calm mornings, building afternoon wind, and rapid temperature swings between sun and shade. Over the past 30 days, average temperatures held at 42 degrees, with highs reaching 58 and lows dropping to 23 across the full year. Average wind is 7 mph, but gusts routinely hit 21 mph by afternoon, especially from late spring through early autumn. Crowding averages 11 on a relative scale, spiking on first weekends after snowpack clears regional passes and roads stabilize. Winter access is reliable due to Highway 89's maintenance, but summer sees the heaviest foot traffic.
The beach works best for swimmers, paddlers, and day visitors seeking shelter from the open lake's chop. Families favor the gentler slopes and sandy bottom; kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders launch here to avoid the wind-driven conditions further east. The resort has restrooms, food, and lodging, lowering the planning burden for first-timers. Head here on calm mornings between late September and early November when water is coldest but wind is most stable, or in June when snowmelt clears upper passes but crowds remain moderate. Skip the afternoon window on any day with forecast gusts above 15 mph; the cove's shelter only matters on mornings.
Nearby Emerald Bay and Sugar Pine Point State Park offer more dramatic alpine scenery but worse afternoon wind exposure. Tahoe City beaches to the north stay warmer and less windy but are busier year-round. Sand Harbor near Incline Village is calmer but lies on the east shore where afternoon thermals are stronger. Camp Richardson works as a lower-commitment alternative to backcountry lake access or a waypoint in a multi-stop Tahoe loop.