Campgrounds, Beaches and Forest Road Opening Dates
Emergency Fire Restrictions Extended
Oct. 23, 2020 - Emergency Fire Restrictions have been extended across all National Forest lands in California, including the CA/NV sides of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Smoking and all recreational fires, including campfires, bonfires, warming fires, wood fires, charcoal fires, or any other kind of outdoor fires, involving solid fuels are prohibited. View the Forest Order at https://go.usa.gov/x7Yh5.
Emergency Camping Restrictions Extended
Oct. 2, 2020 - Emergency camping restrictions have been extended through November. Camping or overnighting is prohibited in all wilderness and backcountry areas including Desolation Wilderness, Meiss Country, Blackwood Canyon, Luther Pass and Watson Lake campgrounds. Hosted campgrounds reopened today, but keep in mind no campfires or charcoal are permitted. View the Forest Order at https://go.usa.gov/xGsFf.
Forest Service issues closure order for Taylor Creek
October 1, 2020 - Due to continued public health safety concerns related to COVID-19, trail improvement work, the risk of bear-human encounters and in order to discourage large groups from gathering, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has issued a Forest Order that temporarily closes Taylor Creek and the surrounding area from Oct. 3 through Nov. 2, 2020. Read more and view the closure map at https://go.usa.gov/xGATc.
Developed Campgrounds
Developed campgrounds offer a range of amenities for the tent or RV camper. All developed campgrounds at Lake Tahoe charge a fee and there are many around the Basin to choose from. Reservations must be made through www.recreation.gov. The open season for campgrounds is dependent on snowfall, but they are generally open from mid-May to mid-October. For more information on developed campgrounds as well as wilderness camping and campfire permits, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/Campgrounds.
Facility |
Close/Open Date |
64 Acres Beach |
Closed for Season |
64 Acres Riverside |
Closed for Season |
Angora Lookout |
Closed for Season |
Angora Lakes Resort |
Closed for Season |
Baldwin Beach |
Closed for Season |
Bayview Campground |
Closed for Season |
Bayview Trailhead |
Open for Day-Use Only
No camping/overnighting
No parking/restrooms/trash service |
Big Meadow Trailhead |
Open for Day-Use Only
No camping/overnighting
No parking/restrooms/trash service |
Blackwood Canyon Campground |
Closed |
Blackwood Sno-Park |
Closed |
Camp Richardson Resort |
Open |
Chimney Beach |
Nov 1 - May 1 |
Eagle Falls Trailhead |
Open for Day-Use Only
No camping/overnighting |
Echo Chalet |
Closed for Season |
Echo Lakes Trailhead |
Open for Day-Use Only
No camping, overnighting |
Explore Tahoe |
Closed for Season |
Fallen Leaf Campground |
Closed for Season |
Glen Alpine Trailhead |
Open for Day-Use Only
No camping/overnighting |
Glen Alpine Springs Interpretive Site |
Open for Day-Use Only
No camping/overnighting |
Kaspian Picnic Area |
Closed for Season |
Kaspian Campground |
Closed for Season |
Kiva Picnic Area |
Nov 15 - May 15
No campfires or charcoal. Gas appliances permitted with CA Campfire Permit. |
Inspiration Point |
Closed for Season |
Logan Shoals Vista Point |
Partially Open
No Restrooms/Trash Service |
Luther Pass Campground |
Closed |
McKinney Rubicon Trailhead |
Open for Day-Use Only
No camping/overnighting |
Meeks Bay Day Use Area |
Closed |
Meeks Bay Campground |
Closed |
Meeks Bay Resort |
Closed |
Meeks Trailhead |
Open for Day-Use Only
No camping/overnighting |
Nevada Beach |
Closed for Season |
Nevada Beach Campground |
Closed for Season |
Pope Beach |
Closed for Season |
Round Hill Pines Resort |
Closed for Season |
Sand Pit OHV area |
Nov 15 - May 10 |
Sawmill Pond Picnic Area |
Nov 15 - May 1
No campfires or charcoal. Gas appliances permitted with CA Campfire Permit. |
Secret Harbor |
Nov 1 - May 1 |
Stateline Lookout |
Closed |
Tallac Historic Site |
Closed for Season |
Tallac Trailhead |
Open for Day-Use Only
No camping/overnighting |
Tallac Point (Kiva Beach) |
Open to the right; closed to the left
No campfires or charcoal. Gas appliances permitted with CA Campfire Permit. |
Taylor Creek Sno-Park |
Closed for Public Safety |
Taylor Creek Visitor Center |
Closed for Public Safety |
Watson Lake |
Closed for Season |
William Kent Day Use Area |
Closed for Season |
William Kent Campground |
Closed for Season |
Zephyr Cove Resort |
Open Year-Round
No campfires or charcoal. Gas appliances permitted with CA Campfire Permit. |
Forest Roads and Gates
Pursuant to 36 CFR 212.51, opening and closing dates are determined by the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the Lake Tahoe Basin. To learn more about the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) or to download a copy, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ltbmu/TravelManagement. Free copies of the MVUM are available at the Forest Supervisor's office at 35 College Drive in South Lake Tahoe.
The schedule for forest road and gate openings/closures is below.
Road |
Road Name |
Close/Open Dates |
03 |
Barker Pass Rd. (mile post 0.000 to 2.300) |
Nov 15 - June 15 |
03 |
Barker Pass Rd. (mile post 2.300 to 7.140) |
Nov 15 - June 15 |
73 |
Mt. Watson Blvd. (16N71 alternative access is open) (mile post 0.000 to 11.000) |
Nov 15 - June 10 |
73 |
Mt. Watson Blvd. (16N71 alternative access is open) (mile post 11.000 to 14.200) |
Nov 15 - June 10 |
1110 |
Hawley Grade (west side of Bridge Tract) |
Nov 15 - May 15 |
1111 |
Bridge Tract (east side) |
Nov 15 - May 15 |
1201 |
Fountain Place Rd. (mile post 0.000 to 2.100) |
Nov 15 - May 25 |
1201 |
Fountain Place Rd. (mile post 2.100 to 4.330) |
Nov 15 - May 25 |
12N01A |
Saxon Creek Rd. |
Nov 15 - May 25 |
12N01D |
Hell Hole Rd. |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
1207 |
Rainbow Tract |
Nov 15 - May 15 |
12N08 |
Powerline Rd. (from substation to Columbine) |
Nov 15 - May 25 |
1213 |
Old Luther Hwy. |
Nov 15 - May 25 |
1213 |
Old Luther Hwy. (Big Meadow Parking) |
Nov 15 - May 25 |
1214 |
Angora Ridge Rd. |
Nov 1 - May 25 |
12N17 |
Saxon Tie Rd. |
Nov 15 - May 25 |
12N21 |
High Meadows (end of Columbine) |
Nov 15 - May 25 |
12N28 |
Sand Pit |
Nov 15 - May 10 |
12N30 |
Sawmill Pond |
Nov 20 - May 1 |
12N30A |
Twin Peaks |
Nov 20 - May 15 |
12N30B |
Twin Peaks |
Nov 20 - May 15 |
1304 |
Cathedral (mile post 0.180 to 2.754) |
Nov 15 - May 15 |
1304D |
Cathedral (mile post 0.000 to 0.171) |
Nov 15 - May 15 |
1306 |
Mt. Tallac Trailhead |
Nov 15 - May 25 |
1307 |
Spring Creek |
Nov 20 - May 10 |
1330 |
Emerald Bay (upper) |
Nov 15 - May 10 |
14N32 |
Genoa Peak Road (from Spooner Summit) |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
14N34A |
Noonchester Rd. |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
14N35 |
Genoa Peak Road (from Kingsbury Grade) |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
14N40 |
Ellis Peak Rd. (off McKinney, Rubicon) |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
15N38 |
Blackwood Middlefork |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
15N60 |
Paige Meadows (Ward Blvd. & Silver Tip) |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
1565 |
Secret Harbor Parking Lot |
Nov 1 - May 1 |
16N49 |
Watson Creek Rd. |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
16N50 |
Watson Lake Rd. |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
16N52 |
Gasline Rd. (Hwy. 267 & Lake Vista Rd.) |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
16N55 |
Martis Slope |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
16N56 |
Martis Tie |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
16N57 |
Red Cedar Overlook |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
16N57A |
Red Cedar Overlook A spur |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
16N57B |
Red Cedar Overlook B spur |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
16N63 |
Carnelian Rd. |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
16N71 |
Mt. Watson Access |
Nov 15 - June 10 |
16N74 |
Sawmill Flat (intersection 73 & Fulton Cresent) |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
16N86 |
Beaver St. (mile marker 0.000 to 0.100) |
Nov 15 - May 25 |
16N86 |
Beaver St. Extension (mile marker 0.100 to 1.610) |
Nov 15 - May 25 |
16N87 |
Old Grist Mill Road |
Nov 15 - May 25 |
16N93 |
Regency Extension |
Nov 15 - June 1 |
Designation of a road, trail or area for motor vehicle use by a particular class of vehicle under 36 CFR 212.51 should not be interpreted as encouraging or inviting use or implying that the road, trail, or area is passable, actively maintained, or safe for travel. Motor vehicle designations include parking along designated routes when it is safe to do so and when not causing damage to National Forest System resources. Seasonal weather conditions and natural events may render designated roads and trails impassable for extended periods. Designated areas may contain dangerous or impassable terrain. Many designated roads and trails may be passable only by high-clearance vehicles or four-wheel-drive vehicles. Maintenance of designated roads and trails will depend on available resources, and many may receive little maintenance.
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