Tahoe recreational facilities closing for winter

With the turning of the leaves, Lake Tahoe’s federal facilities are starting to turn their signs from open to closed for the season.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has begun closing recreational facilities for the winter season. Seasonal closures apply to many National Forest recreation sites in the Tahoe Basin including beaches, campgrounds, picnic areas and forest roads.

Campgrounds, day-use areas and beaches managed by Tahoe Recreation, a division of California Land Management, closed Oct. 18. Campgrounds closed include Bayview, Fallen Leaf, Kaspian, Meeks Bay, Nevada Beach and William Kent. Day-use areas and beaches closed include Baldwin, Kaspian, Meeks Bay, Nevada Beach, Pope and William Kent. In addition, Blackwood Canyon, Luther Pass and Watson Lake campgrounds are closed for the season.

Angora Lakes, Echo Chalet, Meeks Bay and Round Hill Pines Beach resorts have closed. Camp Richardson and Zephyr Cove resorts remain open.

Taylor Creek Visitor Center and the Tallac Historic Site are also closed for the season.

National Forest roads begin closing in mid-November for public safety and resource protection. For a list of forest road closing and opening dates, visit https://go.usa.gov/xPnXQ.

Although facilities and roads close for the season, all National Forest lands including beaches, trails and trailheads remain open year-round, but services such as parking, restrooms, snow removal, water and trash collection are unavailable. When accessing these areas during winter, be sure to pack out all garbage, park legally and do not block closed gates.

As a reminder, emergency camping restrictions are in effect through November due to dangerous wildfire conditions. Camping or overnighting is prohibited in all wilderness and backcountry areas including Desolation Wilderness, Meiss Country and the Pacific Crest and Tahoe Rim trails. View the Forest Order at https://go.usa.gov/xGsFf.

Emergency fire restrictions remain in effect across all National Forest lands in California, including the CA and NV sides of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Smoking and all recreational fires, including campfires, bonfires, warming fires, wood fires, charcoal fires, or any other kind of outdoor fires, involving solid fuels are prohibited. View the Forest Order at https://go.usa.gov/x7W7M.

Learn how to prepare for and prevent the next wildfire at https://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/ and https://www.readyforwildfire.org/.