Round Hill Pines Beach Guide

What & Where

Round Hill Pines Beach Resort sits on Lake Tahoe's East Shore, on the Nevada side, about 1.5 miles north of Zephyr Cove and the same distance south of Cave Rock. It's a 6-acre lakefront property operated as a beach resort, with a sandy beach, restaurant, picnic facilities, and on-site rentals (kayaks, SUPs, smaller motorized boats).

Round Hill is a smaller, more family-oriented alternative to the busier south shore beaches. Less famous than Pope or Sand Harbor, less crowded, and with the bonus of a sit-down restaurant directly on the sand.

Quick Facts

Why Renters Stop Here

The Restaurant On The Sand

Round Hill Pines has a beachfront restaurant — distinct from the marina-restaurant model (boats tie up at a dock and walk up). At Round Hill you anchor offshore, swim or wade ashore, and walk directly to the restaurant deck. Casual menu, full bar. The convenient lunch stop on East Shore boat days.

Family-Sized Beach

Less crowded than Pope or Sand Harbor. Gradual sandy entry. Often has space available even on summer weekends. Good for families with kids who'd be overwhelmed by busier beaches.

Easy Anchor From Zephyr Cove

5-8 minute cruise. Easy quick stop on Zephyr Cove rentals, especially on hourly or short half-day rentals.

The Quick "Get Off The Boat" Stop

For groups who want a brief shore break during a longer day — Round Hill is the natural midpoint on the East Shore route from Zephyr Cove toward Cave Rock and beyond.

The Boat Approach

From Zephyr Cove, head north for about 5-8 minutes (depending on speed). The shoreline curves slightly east and Round Hill comes into view — recognizable by the sandy beach with the restaurant building set back. Marker buoys define the swim zone; anchor outside it.

Anchor 100-300 feet offshore in 8-20 feet of water. Sandy bottom holds anchor well. From your anchored boat, wade or swim to shore (typically 100-200 feet).

What's on Shore

• Sandy beach with picnic tables
• Snack bar / casual dining (seasonal)
• Full restaurant (seasonal)
• Restrooms with showers
• Rental kayaks, paddleboards, paddleboats
• Volleyball court
• Parking lot (for land arrivals)
• Lifeguards (during operating hours)

Day-Use Fees

Round Hill is a private resort, so day-use fees apply. Recent pricing has run $10-25 per person depending on season and day of week. Boat-arriving guests typically pay the same as drive-in guests. Verify current pricing before planning.

Best Combinations

Lunch Stop on East Shore Tour

Morning at Skunk Harbor or Cave Rock → Round Hill Pines for lunch at the restaurant → afternoon back to the East Shore or south shore.

Quick Family Half-Day

From Zephyr Cove, simple half-day at Round Hill with rental kayaks/SUPs at the resort, lunch at the on-site restaurant. Low-stress family format.

Bachelor/Bachelorette Pit Stop

Less appropriate as the main destination (family vibe), but a pit stop during a longer East Shore tour works fine.

Round Hill Pines FAQs

Can I just dock at Round Hill?

The resort has limited dock space mostly used for their own boats. Most rental visitors anchor offshore and swim or wade in.

Is the day-use fee mandatory if I'm just anchoring?

If you stay on your anchored boat in open water, technically no — you're in public water. If you come ashore at the resort beach, fees apply.

How does Round Hill compare to Zephyr Cove resort?

Smaller scale than Zephyr Cove. Round Hill is one beach with one restaurant; Zephyr Cove is a larger resort with cabins, multiple boats, a marina. Different scales of operation.

Are dogs allowed?

Check current resort policy. Some beach access points allow dogs; some don't.

Can I have a private event at Round Hill?

Yes, the resort hosts weddings and private events. Contact the resort directly for event-specific bookings (separate from typical day-use).

It's a Resort, Not a Public Beach

Round Hill Pines is unusual among South Shore beaches — it's a private beach club resort (not a USFS or state park). This means: paid admission (typically $15-$25 per person depending on season), but in return you get amenities most public beaches don't have: a real bar, food service, watersports rentals, beach chair rentals, and a more developed atmosphere.

What Round Hill Pines Offers

The on-site amenities include: a full bar (Round Hill Pines Beach Bar), grill restaurant, kayak and SUP rentals, banana boat rides, beach volleyball, and a sandy swim area. It's essentially a "beach resort" experience condensed into a day-trip format.

By Boat

Round Hill Pines has its own dock, and you can boat in directly. Day-use dockage is available; check ahead for fees and reservations. The dock proximity makes Round Hill Pines a popular boat-in lunch stop combined with a watersports afternoon.

The Beach Itself

Round Hill Pines' beach is sandy and family-friendly, with calmer water than open lake (the small cove geometry helps). It's smaller than Pope or Nevada Beach but more developed. Best for visitors who want comfort and service over expansive empty sand.

Cost-Benefit

If you're already paying for a boat rental, the additional $20 per person for Round Hill Pines may not feel like much. Compared to free public beaches, the value depends on whether you want food service, drinks, and amenities — or whether you'd rather bring a cooler to a free beach.

Combining with Boat Trip

Round Hill Pines works well as a midday stop on a longer boat day: cruise out, anchor at Round Hill Pines or use their dock, eat lunch and have a beach hour, then continue cruising. Many boat operators stop here specifically for this purpose.

Round Hill Pines vs Public Beaches

Versus Nevada Beach (free, less developed, similar location): Round Hill Pines costs more but provides full amenities. Versus Pope Beach (different side of lake): different vibes entirely. Round Hill Pines for resort experience; public beaches for nature.

Related Reading

Zephyr Cove Marina (5 min south) →
Cave Rock (5 min north) →
Boat-In Restaurants →
Boating Map →