About the Area
Welcome to the Tahoe National Forest - where there are many things to see and do! Tahoe National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada (east of Sacramento) and extends from the foothills across the Sierra crest to the California state line. Tahoe National Forest includes more than 850,000 acres of public land intermixed with 350,000 acres of private land in a checkerboard pattern.
National Forest is public land, where everyone is welcome to enjoy year-round outdoor fun.
During the winter months at the Tahoe National Forest, the forest is a playground for those who wish to enjoy winter fun. The Tahoe National Forest is visited by people from all over the world and welcomes Winter Sports Fans! Winter is a great time to explore the Sierra Nevada. Many miles of roads and trails on the forest offer excellent cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Tahoe National Forest and Lakes Basin Winter Recreational Guides are available at the Tahoe National Forest Headquarters and district offices. Several commercial downhill ski resorts are operated with special use permits on National Forest land. Snowplay and sledding can be enjoyed near many of the major highways.
Fire danger reminders
As you enjoy camping on your national forest, always practice fire safety. Campfire permits are always required outside of developed campsites. Call your local U.S. Forest Service district office to check for any restrictions where you plan to recreate.
Your Public Lands
- scenic vistas
- hidden waterfalls
- deeply incised canyons
- wildflower laden meadows
- rough and tumble rivers and
- serene lakes and reservoirs
The Tahoe National Forest is public land, where everyone is welcome to enjoy year-round outdoor fun. We invite you to explore these special places, keeping in mind that this is a popular forest. Interstate 80 enables easy access from San Francisco, Sacramento, and Reno in just an hour or two. With this access comes responsibility; please do your part to help keep the Forest clean and healthy.
We hope that you get outside and enjoy your public lands!