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Recreation
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Camping
Whether you enjoy the convenience of a full service cabin or campground, or the secluded primitiveness of backcountry and wilderness camping, National Forest lands at Lake Tahoe have something for everyone!
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Beaches
National Forest beaches and picnic areas at Lake Tahoe are generally open Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. The length of the open season depends on conditions and snowfall and may vary from year to year.
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Wilderness
Desolation Wilderness encompasses 63,960 acres of alpine forest, glacially-formed valleys and lakes. Travel is by foot or horseback as no vehicles are allowed. Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted.
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Tahoe Rim Trail
Visit the Tahoe Rim Trail Association website for information on the trail including permits, conditions, maps and much more.
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Fall Color
Fall color season is underway in the Sierra Nevada. National Forest lands surrounding Lake Tahoe are a great place to view fall colors.
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Winter Safety
Knowledge of the area, weather, route, and the limitations of your body and equipment - plus a little common sense - can help ensure safe and enjoyable outings.
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Accessible Sites
View a list of accessible recreation sites in the Lake Tahoe Basin and learn more about discount passes for those who are blind or are permanently disabled.
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Bubonic Plague
Bubonic Plague is naturally occurring in the Sierra Nevada. Visitors should always take precautions when visiting areas where active plague has been found.
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Harmful Algae
Harmful Algae may be present in recreation areas. For resources, safety tips, FAQs, local bloom reports and to report possible blooms, visit the State of California portal.
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Sierra Avalanche Center
Recreationists should always check avalanche advisories and weather conditions before heading into the backcountry.
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Summer Fun
Summer recreation at Lake Tahoe includes backpacking, beaches, camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and more!
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Fishing
Sparkling lakes and rivers in the Lake Tahoe Basin provide numerous opportunities to test your angling skill!
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Dogs
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome almost anywhere, except for designated swimming beaches and areas that are restricted for wildlife protection.
Current Recreation Conditions
| Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Angora Lakes Resort | Closed | |
| Baldwin Beach | Closed | |
| Bayview Trailhead and Day-Use Area | Closed | Seasonal Parking, No Restrooms or Trash Service in Winter; Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. |
| Blackwood Canyon Campground | Closed | |
| Camp Richardson Corral | Closed | |
| Camp Richardson Resort | Open | Cabins and Hotel Open Year-Round; Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted on the beach. |
| Desolation Wilderness | None | Bear canisters are required for overnight visits; Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted in Desolation Wilderness. |
| Eagle Falls Trailhead | Closed | Seasonal Parking, No Restrooms or Trash Service in Winter; Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. |
| Echo Chalet | Closed | Seasonal Parking; No Restrooms or Trash Service in Winter; Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. |
| Echo Lakes Trailhead | None | Seasonal Parking, No Restrooms or Trash Service in Winter; Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. |
| Fallen Leaf Campground | Closed | |
| Genoa Peak Road 14N32 | None | Open Seasonally, Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. |
| Glen Alpine Trailhead | None | Seasonal Parking, No Restrooms or Trash Service in Winter; Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. |
| High Meadows Trailhead | None | Seasonal Parking; No Restrooms or Trash Service; No Campfires or Charcoal |
| Inspiration Point | Closed | Seasonal Parking, No Restrooms or Trash Service in Winter; Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. |
| Kaspian Campground | Closed | |
| Kaspian Picnic Area | Open | Open Year-Round; No Restrooms or Trash Service in Winter; No Campfires or Charcoal |
| Kiva Picnic Area | Closed | |
| Luther Pass Campground | Closed | |
| McKinney/Rubicon Trailhead | None | Seasonal Parking, No Restrooms or Trash Service in Winter; Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. |
| Meeks Bay Campground | Closed | No Pets |
| Meeks Bay Picnic Area | Closed | No Pets |
| Meeks Bay Resort | Closed | No Pets |
| Meeks Bay Trailhead | None | Seasonal Parking; No Restrooms or Trash Service in Winter; No Campfires or Charcoal |
| Meiss Country | None | Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. Portable stoves are allowed with a valid permit. |
| Mokelumne Wilderness | None | No Campfires or Charcoal |
| Mt. Tallac Trailhead | None | Seasonal Parking, No Restrooms or Trash Service in Winter; Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. |
| Nevada Beach Campground and Day Use Pavilion | Closed | No Pets, Campfires or Charcoal Permitted on the Beach |
| Pope Beach | Closed | No Campfires or Charcoal; No Pets |
| Round Hill Pines Beach Resort | Closed | Closed for Season, No Campfires or Charcoal |
| Rubicon Trail 14N34 | None | No Campfires or Charcoal |
| Sand Pit OHV Area (12N28) | Closed | |
| Sawmill Pond Picnic Area | Closed | |
| Stateline Lookout | None | Open Seasonally, No Campfires or Charcoal |
| Tahoe Rim Trail - North | None | Seasonal Access; No Campfires or Charcoal |
| Tahoe Rim Trail - South | None | Seasonal Access; No Campfires or Charcoal |
| Tallac Historic Site | Closed | No Campfires or Charcoal |
| Taylor Creek Visitor Center | Closed | Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. Portable stoves are allowed with a valid permit. |
| Twin Peaks Trail 12N30 | None | Open Seasonally, No Campfires or Charcoal |
| Valhalla | Closed | Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. Portable stoves are allowed with a valid permit. |
| Watson Lake Campground | Closed | |
| William Kent Campground | Closed | |
| William Kent Picnic Area | Open | Open Year-Round; No Restrooms or Trash Service in Winter; No Campfires or Charcoal |
| Zephyr Cove Resort | Open | Open Year-Round; No Campfires or Charcoal on the Beach |
| Zephyr Cove Stables | Closed |
Spotlights
Desolation Wilderness
Desolation Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area consisting of 63,960 acres of sub-alpine and alpine forest, granite peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. Located southwest of Lake Tahoe and north of U.S. Highway 50 in El Dorado County, California. Desolation Wilderness is co-managed by the Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. For reservations and specific information on fees, permits, trail information, and the zone quota, visit Recreation.gov. Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted in Desolation Wilderness. Permits and bear canisters are required for overnight visits.
Tallac Historic Site
A century ago, what is now the Tallac Historic Site held the title of "Grandest Resort in the World" and was the summer retreat for three of the San Francisco Bay Area's socially elite families. Today, the remains of the resort and the restored estates attract thousands of visitors annually to recapture this bygone and significant era in Tahoe's history. Adjacent to Lake Tahoe, Kiva Picnic Area and the Taylor Creek Visitor Center, the Tallac Historic Site is operated in partnership with Great Basin Institute.
The Tallac Historic Site is located approximately three miles northwest of the City of South Lake Tahoe on the lake side of Highway 89. The entrance is on Heritage Way across from Fallen Leaf Lake Road. The site offers something for everyone, and many paths and most buildings are accessible. The Tallac site is typically open Memorial Day weekend through September. Though the buildings are closed during the winter, the grounds remain open year-round, and the site serves as a popular cross-country skiing and snowshoeing destination. Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. Portable stoves are allowed with a valid permit.
The Great Basin Institute (GBI) is an interdisciplinary field studies organization that promotes environmental research, education, and conservation throughout the West. Founded in 1998 at the University of Nevada, GBI’s mission is to advance applied research and ecological literacy through community engagement and agency partnerships to support national parks, national forests, open spaces and public lands. GBI has served as the interpretative association for Taylor Creek Visitor Center since 2018. Beginning in 2022, GBI will also serve the Tallac Historic Site, a close neighbor to the visitor center.
During the summer, you may join a Tallac Site interpreter for heritage programs, guided walks, building tours, demonstrations, behind the scenes peeks, and more. A changing schedule of activities with times, places, and a detailed description is available onsite at the Baldwin Museum or you may visit Tallac Historic Site and Taylor Creek Visitor Center for more.
Volunteering at the Tallac Site
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer at the Tallac Historic Site? There are many ways to help. Some volunteers take part in the continued preservation, restoration, and maintenance of structures, grounds, artifacts and machinery. Others prefer providing tours and assisting in a variety of museum related activities including staffing or behind the scenes projects. We have opportunities for local residents as well as those able to travel with their own RV. Volunteers can sign-up through the Great Basin Institute. For more information about our volunteer program, please email GBI.
Meiss Country
Meiss Country is located on National Forest lands south of the Lake Tahoe Basin and offers a complete wilderness-like experience with beautiful forest meadows, picturesque mountain lakes, and wonderful scenic vistas. Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. Portable stoves are allowed with a valid permit.
Valhalla
The Heller Estate, located east of the Pope and Baldwin estates, is known as Valhalla, which means Viking heaven. Valhalla is located on National Forest lands and is operated under a special use permit by Valhalla Tahoe (Tahoe Tallac Association). The main building is available for meetings, weddings and other event rentals and offers daily art exhibits. Valhalla also offers a beautifully renovated boathouse, now a community theatre, and twin guest cabins that offer fine arts and crafts for sale. All three structures support the associations annual Arts & Music Festival. For a schedule of events or information on rentals call 530-541-4975 or visit Valhalla Tahoe. Valhalla is typically open mid-April through mid-December, weather permitting. Though the buildings are closed during the winter, the grounds remain open year-round and the site serves as a popular cross-country skiing and snowshoeing destination. Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. Portable stoves are allowed with a valid permit.
Valhalla Tahoe was formed in 1979 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the goal of assisting the Forest Service in restoring the three estates on the Tallac Historic Site and developing the site as a historic center while sponsoring and producing the Valhalla Arts & Music Festival held annually on the Heller Estate. The site is listed on the National Registry of Historic Sites.
Inspiration Point
This area can be extremely crowded on weekends. Please consider visiting in the early morning or late afternoon for a more relaxing experience.
Nestled among towering pine and fir trees near beautiful Emerald Bay, Inspiration Point is a popular day-use area and vista point on the southwest end of Lake Tahoe. There is a parking fee and restrooms are available. Inspiration Point is located across the highway from Bayview Trailhead and Day-Use area. The site is managed by concessionaire, Tahoe Recreation, a division of Vista Recreation. Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted.
Camp Shelly
Camp Shelly is located in South Lake Tahoe on highway 89 conveniently between Fallen Leaf Lake and Emerald Bay. The campground is centrally located in the whispering pines, allowing visitors to take advantage of both the natural wonders of the Lake Tahoe basin as well as the indoor attractions of a major tourist destination. Amenities include hot showers and a metal fire pit and grill in every campsite. Most sites can accommodate tent trailers and campers and some can accommodate motorhomes up to 24 feet in length. Lake Tahoe and the Glen Alpine and Mt. Tallac trailheads are all within hiking distance. Nearby are the Taylor Creek Visitor Center and Vikingsholm.
Taylor Creek Visitor Center
The Taylor Creek Visitor Center, operated in partnership with the Great Basin Institute, is located on the South Shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe approximately three miles northwest of the City of South Lake Tahoe. The visitor center serves as a hub where four fascinating self-guided trails begin. The visitor center is typically open from June through October. Though the buildings are closed during the winter, the grounds remain open year-round and the site serves as a popular cross-country skiing and snowshoeing destination. Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) are not permitted. Portable stoves are allowed with a valid permit.
The Great Basin Institute is an interdisciplinary field studies organization that promotes environmental research, education, and conservation throughout the West. Founded in 1998 at the University of Nevada, the Institute’s mission is to advance applied research and ecological literacy through community engagement and agency partnerships to support national parks, forests, open spaces and public lands. The Great Basin Institute became the interpretive association for Taylor Creek Visitor Center in 2018.
If you're interested in volunteering at the visitor center this summer, contact our Interpretive Services & Conservation Education Program Manager, Lannette Rangel.