Paid parking has returned to Warrior Way in Zephyr Cove at Lake Tahoe. The crowds flocking to the beach at Zephyr Cove Resort quickly fill up the parking lot, and with no highway parking allowed, beach goers can use Warrior Way and cross at the traffic light.
On normal weekends the cost is $40 for the day, and it will go up on holidays.
During the paid parking program’s inaugural year in 2024, it earned a net of $111,668.35. This amount was split between the Douglas County School District since much of the parking is in its lots, Douglas County, since the parking is along roads it maintains, and the Zephyr Cove Elementary Parent Group and Whittell High School Booster Club. The schools used paid parking on the 4th of July annually as a major fundraiser, and the commissioners did not want to take that away from them with the new system.
In 2024, just over $42,000 was spent on outhouses and trash containers and their maintenance over the season.
Douglas County residents are not charged to park in the area. Last year, 465 residents took advantage of the free parking. A total of 2,661 cars paid to park in 2024.
There are weekend monitors on site to assist the public, and all payments are taken by an electronic payment system. All license plates are read by cameras.
