Scenic Drives

Tahoe National Forests scenic drives meander through foothills, mountain valleys, canyons, forests, and wide-open valleys with expansive vistas. Numerous pull-offs along the way invite visitors to slow down and soak in the sights and sounds along their drives. Along the way are some great locations for camping, hiking, boating, fishing and guided commercial float trips.

Scenic Driving

Several major highways run throughout the forest making much of the Tahoe National Forest easy to access including Interstate 80 which connects Sacramento, California to Reno, Nevada and bisects the Sierra Nevada. Many of these roads can be considered scenic, although Interstate 80 and Highway 89 leading to Lake Tahoe are sometimes heavily impacted with traffic.

A loop can be made around the northern part of the forest in about four hours by starting in Nevada City and following Highway 49 through Downieville and Sierra City over Yuba Pass; in Sierraville follow Highway 89 south to Truckee; in Truckee take Interstate 80 west over Donner Summit to Highway 20 to return to Nevada City.  Or continue west on Interstate 80 if returning to Sacramento or the Bay Area.

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Recreation Opportunities

Scenic Driving (15)

Showing: 1 - 10 of 15 results

Boca Campground

Site Open

Boca Campground is located up in the trees overlooking Boca Reservoir. Each site has a bear locker, fire ring with bbq grate, and a picnic table.

Boca Rest Campground

Site Open

5/3/24: Camp open, but only non-potable water available and trash service.The campground offers single-family sites, with a few located right along the waterfront. Most sites are fairly exposed with…

Boca Springs Campground

Site Open

Boca Spring Campground is located approximately one-mile east of Boca Reservoir where boating, water skiing, swimming, and fishing are popular activities. A boat ramp is located near Boca Campground…

Boyington Mill Campground

Site Open

Boyington Mill Campground is located along the Little Truckee River. This campground offers single-family campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. 

Goose Meadow Campground

Site Open

Goose Meadow Campground is located between the Truckee River and Highway 89, five miles south of Truckee, and not far from Tahoe City. The campground is situated on the banks above the Truckee River.…

Granite Flat Campground

Granite Flat Campground is located on the banks of the Truckee River and adjacent to Highway 89 South, three miles south of Truckee and a short distance from Tahoe City. The campground offers 70…

Highway 49

The recreation information for the Tahoe National Forest is primarily provided by travel corridor.  The main travel corridors are:  Interstate 80, Highway 49, Highway 20, Highway 89 (North and…

Highway 89, North

The recreation information for the Tahoe National Forest is primarily provided by travel corridor.  The main travel corridors are:  Interstate 80, Highway 49, Highway 20, Highway 89 (North and…

Highway 89, South

The recreation information for the Tahoe National Forest is primarily provided by travel corridor.  The main travel corridors are:  Interstate 80, Highway 49, Highway 20, Highway 89 (North and…

Jackson Meadow Reservoir

Activities in the Jackson Meadow Recreation Area include boating, fishing, swimming, camping, picnicking, hiking, group camping, mountain biking, equestrian camping, and viewing scenery. Miles of 4WD…