As winter fades and warmer weather returns, Lake Tahoe is gearing up for the upcoming recreation season. Over the next several weeks, the U.S. Forest Service will begin reopening sites across the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
Before visitors can return, crews need time to prepare each location after snowmelt. This includes clearing debris, removing hazardous trees, and ensuring facilities are safe. Restroom water systems also remain off until freezing temperatures are no longer a risk.
Opening dates for recreation areas may shift depending on weather and local conditions, and some sites or parking areas could become accessible earlier than expected.
Interpretive Sites
- Inspiration Point – May 22
- Tallac Historic Site – May 23
- Taylor Creek Visitor Center – June 5
- Logan Shoals Vista Point – to be determined
Campgrounds/Corrals/Resorts
- Zephyr Cove Stables – Open
- Camp Richardson Corral – Open
- Round Hill Pines Resort – May 1
- Meeks Bay Resort and Campgrounds – May 9
- Camp Richardson Resort’s Eagle’s Nest, Badger’s Den campgrounds – May 22
- Blackwood Canyon, Fallen Leaf, Kaspian, Nevada Beach and William Kent campgrounds – May 22
- Angora Lakes Resort – May 23
- Echo Chalet – Memorial Day, May 25
- Emerald Bay Boat In Campground – June 4 for reservations
- Eagle Point Campground – June 12
- Camp Richardson Resort and RV Park – year round
- Zephyr Cove Campground & Resort – year round
- Luther Pass Campground – to be determined
- Watson Lake Campground – to be determined
Beaches/Picnic Areas/Trailheads
- Sandpit Off-Highway Vehicle Area – May 10
- Sawmill Pond Picnic Area – May 16
- Mt. Tallac Trailhead – May 17
- D.L. Bliss State Park – Mid-May
- Baldwin, Nevada and Pope – May 22
- Bayview and Big Meadow trailheads – May 22
- Eagle Falls Picnic Area & Trailhead – May 23
- Kiva Picnic Area – May 23
- Chimney Beach and Secret Harbor – to be determined
- Van Sickle Bi-State Park – May 1
Until these sites are fully open, parking, trash service and restrooms are not available. Plan ahead and be prepared to pack out all trash.
National forest gate and road opening dates are determined by Motor Vehicle Use Maps. These dates are subject to change. Where gates remain closed, always park legally, avoid parking on vegetation, and do not block gates.
National Forest beaches and picnic areas at Lake Tahoe are generally open Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. The length of the open season depends on snowfall conditions and may vary from year to year.
Seasonal closures apply to facilities at many recreation areas and sites including beaches, campgrounds, forest roads, parking lots, picnic areas, and trailheads.
Amenities such as camping, parking lots, restrooms, and trash receptacles at campgrounds and beaches managed by Tahoe Recreation, a division of Vista Recreation, normally close late October, including Blackwood Canyon, Fallen Leaf, Kaspian, Meeks Bay, Nevada Beach, and William Kent campgrounds and Baldwin, Pope and Nevada beaches.
Inspiration Point parking lot and restrooms normally close late November, but could close earlier due to conditions and weather. Bayview Day-Use Area and Trailhead normally close mid-October.
*All dates are subject to change due to conditions and weather.
National Forest lands including beaches, picnic areas, trails, trailheads and lake access are open year-round to those who choose to walk in.
However, access can become difficult due to snow. It also requires preparation since services such as water, restrooms and trash collection are unavailable. When visiting these areas in the winter, the Forest Service asks visitors to Leave No Trace by packing out all garbage, including pet waste, to park legally, and avoid blocking locked gates.
Please be aware that bears are highly active in the Highway 89 corridor this time of year. When recreating in bear country, do not feed bears or other wild animals, dispose of garbage properly, never approach bears or cubs, stay on designated trails, and leave food and other scented items at home to prevent vehicle break-ins. Visit TahoeBears.Org for more information on visiting and living in bear country.
Camp Richardson Resort hotel and cabins are open year-round. Badgers Den and Eagles Nest campgrounds close in early October. Meeks Bay Resort and Campground normally close mid-October, and Zephyr Cove Resort and Campground is open year-round.
Big Meadow Trailhead and Eagle Falls Trailhead parking areas, Genoa Peak Road, Luther Pass Campground, Sand Pit OHV area, Secret Harbor, and Watson Lake Campground normally close mid-November. Sawmill Pond normally closes mid-November. All closings are subject to conditions and weather.
For public safety and resource protection, National Forest roads generally begin closing in mid-November.
Although facilities close for the winter season, National Forest lands including beaches, picnic areas, trails, trailheads, and lake access are open year-round, and parking can be limited due to snow. Also, keep in mind that during winter months, services such as water, restrooms, and trash collection are unavailable. When visiting these areas in the winter, be sure to pack out all garbage including pet waste, park legally, and avoid blocking locked gates.
“Enjoying our public lands after the seasonal closure of facilities is a great opportunity to experience the solitude of Lake Tahoe,” said Public Services Staff Officer, Daniel Cressy. “It also requires us all to plan and take responsibility for taking care of this special place.”
Until sites open, parking, trash and restrooms are not available, so plan accordingly. Do your part and pack out all trash. Where pets are allowed, always clean up after them and be sure to properly dispose of pet waste bags. Do not leave pet waste bags behind, if a trash receptacle is not available, please take them with you. Where gates are still closed, be sure to park vehicles completely off the roadway, avoid parking on vegetation, and do not block the gates.
A friendly reminder that pets are not permitted at the following designated swim beaches for public health and safety reasons: Baldwin, Camp Richardson, Meeks Bay, Nevada, Pope, William Kent, and Zephyr Cove beaches. Per the Code of Federal Regulations, in developed recreation sites where pets are allowed, pet owners are required to keep pets on a 6-foot maximum length leash at all times. For ideas for recreating with your dog, visit our Dogs at Lake Tahoe webpage.
National Forest gate and road opening dates are determined by the LTBMU Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) developed under the LTBMU Travel Management Plan. All dates are subject to change due to conditions and weather.
For the latest opening date information and updates, visit the LTBMU’s Current Recreation Conditions webpage and follow LTBMU on Facebook and Twitter or visit their website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/ltbmu.
Campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe Basin
For more information, contact the Forest Supervisor’s office at 530-543-2600, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Facebook Page
Forest Service Tahoe National Forest Facebook Page
Forest Service Interactive Visitor Map
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