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, closed on Sunday, October 20th, 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 are scheduled to close on Nov. 30 but could close earlier due to conditions and weather. Bayview Day-Use Area and Trailhead closed on Oct. 13.
The Tallac Historic Site Museum closed at the beginning of October.
The sites remaining open until Nov. 15, conditions and weather permitting, are:
- Kiva Picnic Area (at Tallac Historic Site)
- Kiva Beach
- Taylor Creek Visitor Center
- Secret Harbor
Although these destinations will soon join the other sites that have closed to parking and other amenities, that doesn’t mean they close to the public. 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 closed in early October and the RV Campground is scheduled to close Nov. 8. Meeks Bay Resort and Campground closed on Oct. 20, 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 are scheduled to close on Nov. 15. Sawmill Pond is scheduled to close on Nov. 20. All dates are subject to change due to conditions and weather.
For public safety and resource protection, National Forest roads generally begin closing in mid-November. For specific closing dates, consult the Motor Vehicle Use Maps.
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. View or download MVUMs.
For the latest opening date information and updates, visit the LTBMU’s Current Recreation Conditions webpage and follow us 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
Check out Lake Tahoe on Instagram
