Let's Leave Less
By: Ryn Muat
Lake Tahoe’s stunning beauty is world famous and it took millions of years and a whole host of unique conditions to form this natural wonder. Preserving it is now in our hands. There are hundreds of dedicated conservationists and countless local and visiting volunteers working hard to ensure we take good care of this magical place. Leaving less means making thoughtful choices that protect the lake and surrounding wilderness.
Pack It In, Pack It Out
When you’re exploring the outdoors, you may not always find a trash can nearby. That’s why it’s essential to bring a small bag to pack out your own waste, including food scraps, wrappers, and even biodegradable items like orange peels and pistachio shells. Bonus points if you pack out someone else’s litter and leave it even better than you found it.
Pick Up After Your Pets
Pet waste doesn’t just disappear—always bring waste bags and dispose of them in proper bins. Nobody wants to see a stunning trail dotted with dog poop bags. Don’t be that person. Pack it out.
Ditch Single-Use Plastics
South Lake Tahoe has banned single-use plastic water bottles, so bring a reusable bottle and Drink Tahoe Tap! Tahoe’s tap water is some of the cleanest in the country and it tastes amazing. One of the biggest contributors to lake pollution is micro-plastics, so avoiding using plastics while here is a wonderful way to contribute and also gives you the chance to practice plastic-free living by shifting to resuables and biodegradable items – there are lots of amazing alternatives out there.
Celebrating Success: Cleanup the Lake
Local efforts, like Cleanup the Lake’s Litter Summit, and the work of the Destination Stewardship Council, have made a huge impact in keeping Tahoe clean. Lakewide coordinated efforts led to a 75% decrease in pounds of trash following the Fourth of July in 2024 as compared with 2023. Through strategic messaging (both leading up to and over the holiday), increases in services like additional restrooms and dumpsters, and increased presence of stewardship ambassadors and law enforcement on the Fourth of July, we turned the tides and collectively sent the message that stewardship is the norm here.
Lodging in Lake Tahoe
