USFS opening its Lake Tahoe campgrounds June 12

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On June 12, the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) concessionaires will begin opening developed campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe Basin. They are joined by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest who is opening all of its campgrounds in California.

Nevada group campsites and day-use areas that hold less than 50 people will also reopen. Visitor centers and California group campsites remain closed. Both the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and LTBMU offices remain closed.

“Camping is a great way to enjoy our public lands and connect with the outdoors at Lake Tahoe,” said LTBMU Public Services Staff Officer, Daniel Cressy. “Visitors are encouraged to recreate responsibly, which plays an important role in the shared stewardship of public lands.”

For a full list of open areas and up-to-date information, visit the LTBMU website at www.fs.usda.gov/ltbmu and the Humboldt-Toiyabe website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/htnf/recreation.

USFS continues to recommend visitors recreate locally and practice self-sufficiency during visits to national forests. Recreating responsibly will help ensure expanded access to recreational facilities, services, and opportunities continues. Responsible recreation practices should be maintained at all times, including the following:

· Practice Social Distancing. Provide space of at least six 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.

· Pack Out Your Trash. Leave with everything you bring in and use.

Visitors are asked to stay as local as possible when choosing a site to visit and to pack out everything they bring, especially trash. Visitors are also urged to follow precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with local health and safety guidance. For tips from the CDC on preventing illnesses like the coronavirus, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html.

“While we understand there may be some excitement to return to these recreation areas, there may be limited services or spaces available” says LTBMU Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor, Matthew Jedra. “We ask that visitors please continue to follow local, state and federal guidelines on staying safe and practice good hygiene and social distancing wherever they choose to visit.”

Responsible recreation will help expand access to facilities, services and other opportunities. Certain services may still be unavailable, so visitors are asked to plan accordingly and to remain flexible.