Some recreation areas and beaches around Lake Tahoe may not open by Memorial Day

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – It is the winter that keeps on giving! Even though it says "spring" on the calendar, conditions at beaches, campgrounds, forest roads, and trailheads around Lake Tahoe are not quite ready for public use.

The epic winter will likely delay the official opening of many National Forest recreation sites. The USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is encouraging patience and understanding as they work through the process of getting things open.

“The Forest Service is aware of the public’s desire to access National Forest recreation sites as early as possible,” said LTBMU Deputy Forest Supervisor, Vicki Lankford. “We make every effort to open sites as soon as they are deemed safe for the public, we have adequate staffing on board, and can ensure precious natural resources will be protected.”

Before recreation sites can be fully opened to the public, LTBMU must complete seasonal hiring of crews and staff to manage sites, clean up from winter, remove safety hazards such as damaged trees, and wait for the danger of a freeze to pass before turning on water systems for restrooms.

In a typical year, campgrounds, beaches, forest roads, and trailheads start becoming accessible beginning in mid-May. This year, delays are unavoidable, particularly in shaded areas such as Emerald Bay, north and west shores, and higher elevations. Snow in these areas will take longer to melt and there is always the possibility there may be additional snowfall. Sunny areas such as the east and south shores usually melt out earlier, but some delays are still possible.

The Taylor Creek Visitor Center and Tallac Historic Site are scheduled to open around Memorial Day.

Backcountry and wilderness access will also be a challenge this year. USFS urges visitors to those areas to plan ahead for limited parking, snow, and ice on trails and to always be prepared with proper knowledge, equipment, clothing, and footwear.

Proposed/Estimated Opening Dates

Interpretive Sites:
Taylor Creek Visitor Center May 26 – Parking Area; June 1 – Visitor Center
Tallac Historic Site May 22
Logan Shoals Vista May 28
Inspiration Point June 10
Angora Lookout June 10
Meeks Bay Resort May 26

Resorts:
Camp Richardson Historic Resort & Marina Year-Round
Zephyr Cove Resort Year-Round
Round Hill Pines Beach Resort May 1
Angora Lakes Resort June 10
Valhalla Tahoe May 26
Camp Richardson Corral May 15
Echo Chalet Seasonal Parking

Campgrounds:
William Kent Campground May 26
Kaspian Campground May 26
Meeks Bay Campground May 26
Fallen Leaf Campground May 19
Nevada Beach Campground May 12
Blackwood Canyon Campground June 10
Camp Richardson Campgrounds:
*RV Park May 14
*Eagles Nest May 27
*Badgers Den May 24
Zephyr Cove Resort Campground Year-Round
Luther Pass Campground June 15
Watson Lake Campground July 1

Beach Access & Picnic Areas:
64 Acres Lakeside May 26
64 Acres Riverside May 26
William Kent Picnic Area Year-Round (No trash service/restrooms in winter)
Kaspian Picnic Area Year-Round (No trash service/restrooms in winter)
Meeks Bay Picnic Area May 26
Baldwin Beach May 19
Pope Beach May 12
Nevada Beach May 5
Kiva Picnic Area May 22
Tallac Point (Kiva Beach) May 22
Chimney Beach May 12
Secret Harbor May 12
Sawmill Pond Picnic Area May 26

Trailheads:
Meeks Trailhead Year-Round
Eagle Falls Trailhead June 1
Bayview Trailhead June 1
Tallac Trailhead June 1
Glen Alpine Trailhead Seasonal Parking
Echo Trailheads (upper & lower) Seasonal Parking
Big Meadow Trailhead June 15
McKinney Rubicon OHV Seasonal Parking
Sand Pit OHV May 15
Blackwood SNO-PARK June 1
Taylor Creek SNO-PARK Closed for Season
Moraine Trailhead May 19

Until sites officially open, there is no parking, trash removal, or restroom facilities available, so please plan accordingly.

Do your part and pack out all trash and where pets are allowed, always clean up after them. Where gates are still closed, be sure to park vehicles completely off the roadway, avoid parking on vegetation, and do not block the gates.

For the latest information and updates, follow LTBMU on Facebook and Twitter or visit their website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/ltbmu.