Visitors to Lake Tahoe are encouraged to follow stay-at-home guidelines

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The messaging from the state, county, and city has been consistent throughout the coronavirus pandemic: This is not the time to travel to South Lake Tahoe. Nevada has also sent out the same message as a ban on nonessential travel that was created to prevent the spread of COVID-19 between communities.

As things start to open up according to guidelines set by the states, many are eager to welcome back customers from both near and far. The Memorial Day weekend is usually the unofficial kickoff to the summer season in Lake Tahoe, but this year, the kickoff will have to wait as far as officials are concerned.

With five counties, two cities, and two states touching Lake Tahoe, differing rules can get confusing.

Visitors are reminded that nonessential travel is still prohibited for the holiday weekend by governmental and health organizations.

California’s stay at home order is still in place and the Lake Tahoe Basin area of El Dorado County has implemented a travel ban by order of the El Dorado County public health officer.

“We’re closing in on that glorious day when we can safely welcome everyone back with open arms, but for now we’re required to follow the guidelines that health and governmental officials have established,” said Carol Chaplin, CEO and president of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “We certainly understand and appreciate everyone’s desire to visit, and hopefully this current phase is short-lived.”

With many recreational facilities still closed, a lack of public restrooms, and no open lodging (vacation home rentals or motels), encouraging travel is not recommended at this time. Hospitality and leisure lodging is currently prohibited in California under Gov. Newsom’s Stage 2 and Nevada Gov. Sisolak has approved the implementation of Phase 1 re-opening with strict guidelines for limited hospitality and leisure lodging; however, casinos are still closed during his Phase 1.

Second homeowners are allowed to come to their homes.

Heavenly Village in South Lake Tahoe is planning on a four-day holiday celebration with live music, car show and sidewalk sale as their restaurants and shops start to reopen. The owners of the Shops at Heavenly Village said they will have social distancing plans in place along with hand sanitizing stations around the property. They also plan to handle all patrons in a safe manner and mitigate and reduce large crowds with extra security and personnel. The City of South Lake Tahoe said they are concerned with these plans as they encourage travel and large groups, both opportunities for the spread of COVID-19.

The USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit announced a lifting of the restrictions on their beaches around the lake, but facilities and parking lots remain closed at all of their developed sites. Campsites are not open including those at Nevada Beach and Zephyr Cove Resort.

The parking areas at National Forest beaches will open at some point after the Memorial Day weekend, but the date has not been announced. Also coming after the holiday is the opening of Nevada Beach Campground and Round Hill Pines.

South Lake Tahoe is surrounded by mountains, streams, rivers, trails, bike paths, beaches, along with a beautiful lake, all a beacon for outdoor enthusiasts. There is still concern about the impact of visitors on communities around the lake that could be quickly overwhelmed with limited capacity in health facilities.

For those that do use the USFS trails and beaches, they are reminded that trash service is one of the amenities not in place at this time.

- Pack out all trash. Leave with everything you bring in and use.
- Practice Social Distancing. Provide space of at least 6 feet at all times during your visit.
- Do Not Gather in Groups. Follow the latest guidance from officials.
- Share the Trail. Alert other trail users of your presence and step aside to let them pass.

Personal boats/watercraft, inspections, and launch ramps are in a phase reopening stage. Only vessels with an intact Lake Tahoe inspection seal will have access onto the lake. For more information - http://southtahoenow.com/story/05/19/2020/lake-tahoe-boat-ramps-opening-tahoe-only-stickered-vessels.