Nevada City, Calif. May 13, 2021 — The U.S. Forest Service is testing water systems and actively assessing and removing hazardous trees from Tahoe National Forest campgrounds in preparation for the summer season. In addition, downed winter trees –heavy in some areas due to wind events –are actively being removed from campgrounds, recreation sites, roads, and trails by recreation managers and firefighters.

For a complete campground and recreation site update, please see our Weekly Update. Changes from last week can also be seen below.

This year, the Tahoe National Forest is again asking visitors to please recreate responsibly so we all can enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Tahoe National Forest for years to come.

Responsible recreation means:

  • Make sure your campfire is out before you leave: douse with water, stir, and feel for warmth.
    • Repeat the steps above as necessary.
  • Campfires must be attended at all times; California Campfire Permits are required.
  • No trashcan? It’s your responsibility to pack out all trash when you leave, including toilet paper when no restroom facilities exist.
  • Most campsites are booked in advance –you may not secure a campground without a reservation.
    • To reserve a Tahoe National Forest campsite, please visit recreation.gov.
  • During the spring, roads may be passable in the morning but muddy and impassable as temperatures warm during the day.
    • Don’t get stuck or damage roads.
  • Rivers and lakes are cold this time of year and flows are high. Cold, high flows can kill.

Recreation Update: May 6-May 12

Truckee and Sierraville/ Highway 89

Prosser/Boca/ Stampede Reservoirs

  • No Change

Donner Summit/Interstate-80

  • Onion Valley campground open.
  • Castle Valley remains closed.
  • The Pacific Crest Trail is still inaccessible/closed.

Foresthill/Sugar Pine Reservoir

  • Robinson campground is closed for season

French Meadows

  • The U.S. Forest Service is working on clearing downed trees and assessing damage from a winter wind event near French Meadows. This may result in delayed openings to campgrounds and other recreation facilities.
  • A planned prescribed fire Sunday, May 16 -Thursday, May 20 may result in closures to the Western States Trail in the French Meadows area as well as delays on Forest Service roads.

Highway 20/ Bowman Lake Road

  • White Cloud campground is open.
  • Grouse campground is still closed.

Bullards Bar Reservoir

  • No Change

Highway 49/Sierra Buttes

  • Union Flat and Wild Plum campgrounds are open along Highway 49, as is the Loganville dump station.
  • Sierra, Chapman, and Yuba Pass campgrounds will be closed for the season.
  • Diablo, Berger, and Packsaddle campgrounds are open in the Lakes Basin area.
  • The Downieville trail system has heavy but patchy snow drifts starting at approximately 6300’ elevation. Shuttles from Packer Saddle are not yet available.