USFS beaches and sites around Lake Tahoe to remain closed through May 15

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A temporary closure order for USFS beaches and recreation sites around Lake Tahoe has been extended through at least May 15, 2020. The original order was set to expire May 1. To keep in alignment with current federal, state, and local guidance for social distancing, and to ensure the health and safety of its employees, visitors, and volunteers, it was extended.

Trailheads and trails outside of the orange areas of the attached maps, or the ones on the closure website, are not affected by this order but parking lots are closed.

The following South Shore recreation sites and areas impacted by this announcement include the following:

• Pope-Baldwin National Recreation Bike Path
• Pope Beach
• Camp Richardson Resort
• Camp Richardson Corral
• Fallen Leaf Campground/Beach
• Tallac Historic Site/Beach
• Kiva Picnic Area/Beach
• Kiva Beach/Tallac Point
• Taylor Creek Visitor Center
• Baldwin Beach

The following National Forest areas around Lake Tahoe are also closed to the public through at least May 15:

• Zephyr Cove Resort and Campground
• Round Hill Pines Resort
• Nevada Beach Campground and Beach
• Heavenly Mountain Resort
• William Kent Campground
• Kaspian Picnic Area
• Sawmill Pond
• Eagle Falls Parking Lot and Bayview Trailhead
• Inspiration Point
• Logan Shoals
• Newhall
• Secret Harbor
• Chimney Beach
• Stateline Lookout (North Shore)
• 64 Acres (SR89/SR28)
• Meeks Bay Resort and Campground
• Angora Resort/parking area
• Echo Chalet

A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both per 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571, and 3581.

The order is in effect for all USFS developed recreation sites in the Pacific Northwest Region.

For details and maps on all closures, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ltbmu/notices/?cid=FSEPRD725856.

The USDA Forest Service may elect to temporarily suspend access to additional recreation areas that attract large crowds and cannot meet social distancing guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Visitors to national forests are urged to take the precautions recommended by the CDC so that these areas can remain open for everyone’s enjoyment.

To protect public health and safety, all recreationists enjoying open areas of their national forest near their neighborhoods are encouraged to:

· Avoid visiting the forest if you are sick and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

· Follow CDC guidance on personal hygiene and social distancing before and during your visit to the forest.

· If an area is crowded, move to a less occupied location. Also consider avoiding the forest during high-use periods.

· Take your trash with you when you leave. Trash overflowing the receptacles becomes potential sources for the spread of COVID-19.

· Please make arrangements to use the restroom before or after your visit to the forest. Unmanaged waste creates a health hazard for other visitors and employees.

For tips from the CDC on preventing illnesses like the coronavirus, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html. Information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is available at www.usda.gov/coronavirus.

For up-to-date information on the LTBMU and to view the forest closure order, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/ltbmu.