My nude beach experience in Lake Tahoe
When my friend first invited me on her birthday trip to the middle of California, I imagined a cute cabin trip with adventurous summer vibes that included, but were not limited to, wine, a hot tub, Cali delights, and some games. However, the adventure that pleasantly surprised me the most was Secret Cove in Lake Tahoe.
Positioned near the California-Nevada border, on the Nevada side, is a downhill hike. No signage, no dedicated parking; the locals just know to park on the side of the two lane highway and prepare for a downhill hike to the lake–Lake Tahoe that is. It’s hard to miss it. The picturesque shades of deep blue coupled with high, snow-covered mountains are hard to miss. Also, snow-covered mountains in the middle of summer was a new sight for me. Sherwin-Williams would have a field day with those colors and my eyes were glued. In this moment, I fell in love with California. Lakes, mountains, an ocean, deserts, and one of the largest entertainment hubs in the world. If I really wanted to, I’d move here. The vast landscape as we hiked down 0.9 miles made me all the more excited for this excursion my friend told me little about.
Welcome to Secret Cove Nude Beach, no photos please. I’m really here! My first nude beach. My hiking shoes start to come off as the nine of us settle into this new experience. “No photos!” yells a nude man, as tourists make their way down the steps to the beach. The moment was giving, Condé Nast, or travel stories you read about on the plane. Also, whatever happened to airline magazines? They had really good stories. He calls himself the Mayor of Secret Cove, a title appointed to him years ago. A California resident since the 90s, he know everything about Lake Tahoe–from the most recent billionaire vacation home purchase to the lost histories of the lake. As I sat on a rock in my bikini on the lake, the mayor and I struck up a conversation. He was kind and a protector of nature. Dennis told me how he got the title of Mayor of Secret Cove. His love for nature and keeping the beach clean appointed him that title. He said you can find him at Secret Cove six days a week, nude and all. Yes, he was nude during our conversation, and nudity at Secret Cove represents freedom and body positivity, even age positivity in a culture that values perfection and youth. As our time came to a close, Dennis handed me a pebble, a gift of nature, a piece of Lake Tahoe herself. And that was that.
I damn near had an asthma attack on the 20-minute hike up to the car, and I thought to myself, Dennis, who must be in his mid to late 70s, does this six days a week? Damn! I need to get in shape.
My Lake Tahoe List