Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

Cover photo: Mt. Tallac rises above Fallen Leaf Lake. USDA Forest Service Photo courtesy of George Gusses.

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Forest Supervisor’s Office in South Lake Tahoe is open Monday through Friday, 8-4:30 p.m. excluding federal holidays. Customers may also call 530-543-2600, during business hours. If you reach the recording, we're helping another customer. Leave a message with your name and phone number and we will get back to you as soon as possible. You may also email us.

Aerial view of Lake Tahoe's south end featuring Taylor Creek, Taylor Creek Marsh and Taylor Creek Visitor Center. Photo courtesy of Drone Promotions.

Spring is a time of transition in the mountains. Snow is melting and we will soon be preparing to open National Forest recreation sites for the summer season. Before recreation sites fully open to the public, sites must be cleaned up and safety hazards removed.

Man rides ebike on trail with forest and mountains in the background.

This highly anticipated project will expand e-bike (Class-1, pedal assist only) use and trail system access and connectivity on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Work is expected to begin this summer.

Burning slash pile surrounded by snowy forest.

Prescribed fires help reduce overgrown vegetation to protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

Icicles hang underneath a dock on Lake Tahoe.

Helpful links for current road conditions, weather forecast, Daily Burn Status, prescribed fire activity, live web cams and more!

Enjoy the convenience of a full service cabin, developed campground or the secluded primitiveness of backcountry and wilderness camping.

Beaches and picnic areas are generally open Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. The open season depends on conditions, snowfall and may vary from year to year.

Hard-sided bear canisters are required for overnight visits to Desolation Wilderness and bear-resistant containers are required in all other areas.

Backcountry hikers navigate through a grassy section of the Tahoe Rim Trail with sky, snowy mountains and forest in the background.

The Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165 mile backcountry trail that circles Lake Tahoe and includes amazing vistas, alpine lakes, meadows and peaks.

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