FAQs
If you can't find the answer you are looking for, call your local Forest Service office. For other common questions, visit www.fs.usda.gov/r05/about-area/faqs
Frequently Asked Questions
Some campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Campsites that require reservations can be found on Recreation.gov. Call the toll-free number 1-877-444-6777, or visit the website at Recreation.gov for prices and availability. You need to make reservations at least five days in advance. It is possible to reserve individual sites 240 days in advance and group sites 360 days in advance.
American the Beautiful Passes can be purchased at all the District Offices. Call your local office ahead of time to make sure we have the one you need in stock. Passes can also be purchased at the USGS online store.
Learn more about available passes and how they can be purchased
- Yes! Tahoe National Forest is home to the American black bear. With their keen sense of smell, black bears are naturally attracted to garbage and other sources of human food in your camping cooler. Proper food storage means all garbage and foods are in a hard-sided vehicle or bear proof storage container. Do your part to help keep bears wild and visitors safe:
- Keep a clean campsite. Store food and garbage out of sight and in closed vehicles.
- Never put food scraps or litter in the campfire; it attracts bears and skunks.
- Don't keep food, medicine, chap-stick, shampoo – or anything that smells - in tents or sleeping areas.
- Store stoves, barbeques, and cooking tools in a vehicle or secure place when not using. Do not pour used cooking oil or food remnants on the ground.
- Some bears also target motor oil, insect repellant, liquor and other things that look like food. Make sure you put these items away.
Check for current fire restrictions for the area you are planning to visit to see if a campfire, charcoal fire or gas stove/appliance is allowed. Unless fire restrictions state otherwise, campfires are allowed in developed recreation sites inside designated campfire rings. A campfire permit is required to have a campfire outside of a developed recreation site.
No, the Poppy Pass is a State Parks Pass and will not work for federal fee sites. However, America the Beautiful Senior and Access passes will work at U.S. Forest Service and other federally managed fee sites.
The trail system is operated under a Wet Weather Management Plan. Sensors in the soil indicate when conditions are too moist and the trails will close. When the sensors indicate the trails are dried out, they re-open. This Management Plan maximizes the days of allowable riding while minimizing resource damage caused by travel during wet weather periods. Trail and staging area open/close status is available at (530)-478-6253.
No, residential burn permits are only available at Cal Fire stations or through the Cal Fire website.
The site is generally open for day use spring through early fall, weather, road and fire restrictions permitting. Reservations can be made by calling the Sierraville Ranger Station at (530) 994-3401. Camping at the site is not permitted, although campgrounds and dispersed camping are available nearby. Any dispersed camping must be outside of restricted use areas as shown on the Tahoe National Forest Visitor’s Map and per Forest Order 17-22-06.
The shooting range is open from approximately April 15 to November 15, weather permitting. Be aware that seasonal fire restrictions can limit availability of the range as well as target shooting throughout the Forest. Keys for gate access to the range can be checked out at the Sierraville Ranger District office and the Sierraville Service & Country Store. The key must be returned before close of business hours on the same day to the location it was checked out.
The trail system is operated under a Wet Weather Management Plan. Sensors in the soil indicate when conditions are too moist and the trails will close. When the sensors indicate the trails are dried out, they re-open. This Management Plan maximizes the days of allowable riding while minimizing resource damage caused by travel during wet weather periods. Trail and staging area open/close status is available at (530) 367-2224 ext. 228.
The Calpine Lookout is open and available to reserve year-round. Reservations are made online at www.recreation.gov. Access to the lookout by road is available during the summer months. To reach the lookout during the winter months and other times when there is snow on the road, visitors must park in the town of Calpine and hike, snowshoe, ski or snowmobile an approximately two-mile long trail with about 1000 feet of elevation gain.
The Sardine Peak Lookout is typically available only during the summer months through early fall. Reservations are made by calling the Sierraville Ranger District at (530) 994-3401.
Lookouts have no electricity, running water or trash disposal services. Pack it in, pack it out.
Yes, you can visit the lookout in the summer during operating hours, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., daily. Please keep in mind, the lookout is staffed 24/7 by Forest Service personnel during the summer months, generally late May - mid-November. Please follow all posted signs and rules, closed gates, chained off areas, and respect the living quarters of the personnel.
Lookout personnel reserve the right to ask you to leave at any time, for any reason.
When the snow clears the lookout is reachable by vehicle or via short hike from the Robinson Flat Campground.
There are no trash services available at the lookout - Pack it in, pack it out!
No and yes! There are no public mining areas within the Tahoe National Forest. Claim jumping and “high grading” are not only extremely dangerous, but illegal and punishable by law.
The use of metal detectors and gold pans to locate mineral deposits on National Forest System lands is considered prospecting and is subject to the General Mining Law of 1872, which declared all valuable mineral deposits in land belonging to the United States open to exploration and purchase. This law provides citizens of the United States the opportunity to explore for, discover, and purchase certain valuable mineral deposits on federal lands that are open for mining location and patent (open to mineral entry).
It is your personal responsibility to first inquire with and purchase available claim rights from the Bureau of Land Management, then submit a Notice of Intent to the Minerals Staff with the Forest Service BEFORE prospecting occurs. For more information about mining and staking your claim on federal lands, contact the BLM California State Office in Sacramento or the Mother Lode Field Office in El Dorado Hills.
The Caltrans Quick Map gives you access to traffic cameras, road conditions, chain controls, and more for the entire state of California. California Highway Patrol (CHP) social media pages are also updated with current conditions:
The California Sno Parks System, including the Donner Summit Sno Park, is a network of parking lots throughout California that allow the public to park their vehicles out of the way of snow removal equipment. The Sno Parks are operated by California State Parks under a Special Use Permit authorized by the Forest Service. While the Donner Summit Sno Park is not primarily used for sledding, families can enjoy snow play here. Other than a dumpster and vault toilet, there are no facilities to rent sleds, tubes, or purchase food. A parking permit is required for entry and must be purchased before arriving to the Sno Park. A permit can be purchased online if you have printing capabilities, or from one of the verified vendors listed on the Sno Park website. Be sure to display the parking permit on your dashboard.
The parking lot can become extremely icy. Although California State Parks sometimes sands the parking lot, it is not guaranteed. Be sure you carry chains and use extreme caution when walking through the parking lot.
No, the campgrounds along Highway 89 South are not open during the winter due to low staffing and other winter conditions such as plowing and low temperatures. The closest public campground open during the winter months is CA State Parks Sugar Pine Point Campground.
The 06 Road out to the Big Chief Climbing Area closes each year on Jan. 1 and does not open until at least April 24, conditions permitting. This seasonal road closure is due to snow and/or protecting the road from rutting or erosion.
The water levels of each reservoir can be checked at the California Department of Water Resources website under the “Daily Statewide Reservoir Report”.
The Tahoe National Forest does not require a backcountry permit for overnight stays outside of developed recreation sites, including the Granite Chief Wilderness. If you are hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) with plans to head south into the Desolation Wilderness, you will need to check with the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit for a wilderness permit.