In most states some portion of beaches are public land and all members of the public have a right to use that portion of the beach. The ability to walk along the beach is known as lateral beach access.

But the land between where people can park or walk to the beach and where they can enjoy the beach is often private property, making it difficult to provide access to the public while protecting personal property rights. The ability to reach the beach is known as vertical beach access.

Laws regarding public access to beaches vary from state to state but many states recognize the public trust doctrine, a legal doctrine that certain natural resources such as beaches are owned or held by the government in trust for the public’s use and enjoyment and that the government has an obligation to protect and maintain these resources for the public.

In Nevada, the public trust doctrine applies, ensuring that certain natural resources, including beaches, are held in trust by the state for public use and enjoyment. While Nevada is landlocked and does not have oceanfront beaches, it does have shoreline along lakes, such as Lake Tahoe. The state recognizes the public's right to access these areas, and there are provisions for both lateral and vertical beach access. Lateral access refers to the ability to walk along the shore, while vertical access pertains to the ability to reach the shore from inland areas. However, conflicts can arise when private property extends to the shoreline, potentially impeding vertical access. Nevada law attempts to balance public access with private property rights, and in areas like Lake Tahoe, public access points and easements are established to facilitate vertical access to the beaches. It's important to note that specific regulations can vary by locality, and in some cases, local governments work to ensure that public access is maintained while respecting private property boundaries.