SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Emerald Bay Shuttle is hitting the road on Friday, June 26, providing a better, safer way to visit one of Lake Tahoe’s most popular destinations this summer. Tahoe Transportation District (TTD), in partnership with public transit provider Via, will be running the service daily to help reduce traffic congestion and car-related pollution, and offer an alternative to dangerous highway parking along this busy corridor.
“Providing reliable and convenient access to Emerald Bay is a top priority, especially during peak visitation,” said Jim Marino, executive director of the Tahoe Transportation District. “The Emerald Bay Shuttle offers a simple, stress-free way for visitors and locals to experience one of Tahoe’s most iconic destinations while helping reduce congestion and improve safety along the corridor.”
The shuttle will run daily starting Friday, June 26, through September 7 along two routes. Riders coming from the North or West Shores can pick up the shuttle at Sugar Pine Point Campground. Riders on the South Shore can pick up the shuttle at the South Tahoe Y Transit Center or get on at Camp Richardson. Both routes stop at the Eagle Falls Trailhead in Emerald Bay. Weekend service begins at 8 a.m., with weekday trips starting at 9 a.m. All routes run until 5 p.m.
Rides are $5 one way or $10 roundtrip. Reduced fares of $2.50 one way and $5 roundtrip are available for children under 12, adults ages 65 and older, veterans, riders with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders.
Additional parking restrictions and enforcement will be in place during the duration of the shuttle season. TTD will install nearly 400 feet of temporary barriers to restrict access to illegal and unsafe roadside parking, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is strictly enforcing parking restrictions throughout the Emerald Bay corridor. During last year’s shuttle season, CHP wrote 248 citations, issued 13 moving violations, and had 10 vehicles towed for illegal parking.
Both of the Emerald Bay Shuttle’s routes connect with public transit service and bike paths, making more of the region accessible through lake-friendly transportation as part of the shared vision for Car-Free, Care-Free Tahoe. Riders can reach the shuttle from the Stateline casino corridor and much of Tahoe’s South Shore by connecting with Tahoe Transportation District Bus Route 50 at the South Tahoe Y Transit Center. On the West Shore, Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit’s (TART) Mainline Bus Route, as well as on-demand microtransit from TART Connect, link with the shuttle at Sugar Pine Point Campground. Biking — or using a shared e-scooter on the South Shore — is a great way to get to a shuttle stop or connecting bus stop.
Riders will be able to reserve their seats at: www.emeraldbayshuttle.com
Walk-up seats may be available depending on capacity.
The Emerald Bay Shuttle is supported by a project team consisting of transportation planning and implementation experts, local government officials, agencies and organizations including: Tahoe Transportation District, Keep Tahoe Blue, Tahoe Fund, El Dorado County, Caltrans, California Highway Patrol, California State Parks, Placer County, US Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Tahoe Truckee Transportation Management Association, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, City of South Lake Tahoe, Sierra State Parks Foundation, South Shore Transportation Management Association, and Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.
Key Service Details
Emerald Bay Shuttle
How to book: Reservations are now available at: www.emeraldbayshuttle.com
Season: June 26 – September 7, 2026
Weekday hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Thursday)
Weekend and holiday hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Friday – Sunday)
Fare: $5 one way / $10 roundtrip
Reduced fare: $2.50 one way / $5 roundtrip for children under 12, adults ages 65+, veterans, riders with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders
Routes: West Shore Route (from Sugar Pine Point Campground); South Shore Route (from Y Transit Center, with a stop at Camp Richardson)
Transit connections: TTD Bus Route 50 at the South Y Transit Center. TART Mainline Bus Route and TART Connect Microtransit service at Sugar Pine Point Campground. Use Google Maps transit option to plan your trip, and for real-time updates download the Transit app.
Other connections: Bike or ride a shared e-scooter along bike paths and routes to the South Y Transit Center or Camp Richardson on the South Shore. Bike or walk along the beautiful west shore multi-use trail to the Tahoe City Transit Center or Homewood to catch the TART Mainline. The shuttles can accommodate a limited number of bikes and bike racks are available near the shuttle stops. Use the Tahoe Bike Coalition Map to plan your trip: map.tahoebike.org.
Parking: On the South Shore, keep your car parked where you are staying or park at a paid lot in the Stateline area or around Camp Richardson, or at the Lake Tahoe Community College. On the north or west shore, park for free at the Tahoe City Transit Center or Homewood, or pay to park at Sugar Pine Point State Park Campground.