The annual process of closing national forest recreation facilities around Lake Tahoe has begun. Seasonal closures apply to buildings, restrooms and parking areas at many recreation sites, including beaches, campgrounds, interpretive sites, picnic areas, and resorts.
Scheduled Closing Dates for Recreation Facilities*
- Closed: Echo Chalet
- Oct. 1: Round Hill Pines Beach Resort
- Oct. 4: Badger’s Den Campground and Tallac Historic Site
- Oct. 11: Meeks Bay Resort and Campgrounds
- Oct. 12: Blackwood Canyon, Fallen Leaf, Inspiration Point, Kaspian, Nevada Beach, and William Kent campgrounds; Baldwin, Nevada and Pope beaches; Bayview Day Use Area & Trailhead; Kaspian and William Kent beach restrooms
- Oct. 25: Taylor Creek Visitor Center
- Oct. 30: Angora Lakes Resort (including Angora Ridge Road)
- Nov. 1: Camp Richardson Corral, Eagle’s Nest Campground, Zephyr Cove Stables
- Nov. 15: Big Meadow Trailhead, Eagle Falls Picnic Area & Trailhead, Kiva Picnic Area, Luther Pass Campground, Mt. Tallac Trailhead, Sandpit Off-Highway Vehicle Area and Watson Lake Campground
- Nov. 20: Sawmill Pond Picnic Area
- Open year-round: Camp Richardson Resort’s hotel, cabins and RV Campground; Zephyr Cove Resort and Campground
*All dates are subject to change due to conditions and weather.
For public safety and to protect resources, Forest Service roads begin closing in mid-November. For specific closing dates, consult the Motor Vehicle Use Maps.
Although buildings, restrooms and parking areas shut down for winter, national forest lands remain open year-round, but parking is limited due to winter conditions and services such as water, restrooms and trash collection are unavailable. Always recreate responsibly by packing out all garbage including pet waste, parking legally and avoid blocking locked gates.
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.
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
Check out Lake Tahoe on Instagram
