Passes & Permits
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Recreation Passes & Permits
Local passes and permits related to recreating on the forest include wilderness permits, annual day passes, CA SNO-PARK permits, and National Interagency Passes.
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Campfire Permits
National Forest System lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin are under year-round fire restrictions. Wood and charcoal fires are only permitted within metal fire rings in developed campgrounds.
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Wilderness Permits
Desolation Wildernesses encompasses 63,960 acres of alpine forest, glacially-formed valleys and lakes. Travel is by foot or horseback as no vehicles are allowed. Wood or charcoal fires are not permitted.
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Event or Commercial Special Use Permits
Certain types of uses of public lands require "Special Use Authorizations". These include commercial activities, such as filming, guiding, and events.
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Forest Product Permits
Collecting and removing forest products requires a permit. Forest products include items such as, firewood, christmas trees, edible or decorative material, minerals and plants.
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Weddings on National Forest Lands
An outdoor wedding ceremony may be held in certain places on National Forest System lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin under the operations of specified wedding service providers.
Fee-Free Days
The Forest Service waives recreation fees at selected day-use sites on lands managed by the agency. Participation by concession-operated sites may vary. In the Lake Tahoe Basin, the fee-free day applies to Eagle Falls Picnic Area and Trailhead. For more information and 2025 dates, visit the National Passes and Permits webpage.
Features
Season Passes for National Forest Beaches at Lake Tahoe
Season beach passes for National Forest beaches around Lake Tahoe are available for purchase in person at the following beaches and campgrounds: Baldwin Beach, Fallen Leaf Campground, Nevada Beach Campground, and Pope Beach.