Nevada City, Calif. March 27, 2020 – In response to the recent statewide shelter-in-place order issued by the Governor of California, the Tahoe National Forest is joining the cause to aggressively mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by closing certain developed recreation facilities across the Forest while still encouraging beneficial outdoor activity.

  • All restrooms facilities have been closed through April 30, 2020.
  • Trash removal at all trailheads, picnic sites, and staging areas is unavailable through April 30, 2020. Please help keep the Tahoe National Forest clean and safe and pack out everything you pack in –do not leave trash or human waste at trailheads, staging areas, or anywhere within the Tahoe National Forest.
  • Golden Quartz and Oregon Creek recreation sites have been closed through April 30, 2020.
  • Donner Summit Snow Park has been closed through April 30, 2020.
  • Permitted Ski Areas are currently closed to backcountry skiing and snowshoeing as avalanche control mitigations and other operations continue through April 30, 2020.

In addition, there are many seasonal closures still in effect and typical of this time of year:

  • All Off-Highway Vehicle routes and trails are closed until April 1, 2020 on the westside of the Tahoe National Forest and April 24, 2020, on the eastside.
  • Tahoe National Forest campgrounds are still closed for the winter season.
  • The Burlington Motorcycle Trail System is subject to a current Wet Weather Closure.

In addition to the closures listed above, late-season snow the last few weeks has rendered many popular summer trails and access points above 5000’ inaccessible to typical summertime recreational activities. Skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are fun, viable options in the Tahoe National Forest high country and wild flowers are just beginning to emerge in the lower canyons of the Yuba and American Rivers. Again, restrooms and trash services will be closed and unavailable through April 30, 2020.

Most of the Tahoe National Forest, including the extensive trail system, will remain open and available to the public. Hiking and walking outdoors are widely considered beneficial to maintaining one’s health. It is the intent of the Tahoe National Forest to maintain trail access to the extent practicable.

Please keep health, safety and caring for public lands in mind if choosing to visit the Tahoe National Forest. Your personal responsibility is critical to ensuring public safety and preventing further restrictions. We ask that you consider whether your personal participation in outdoor recreation at this time would pose an unnecessary risk to others and please select hiking or recreation opportunities near or within walking distance of your household –recreating locally is another measure to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19.