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National Forest facilities and FS roads at Lake Tahoe closing for winter

9/26/2025

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The annual process of closing national forest recreation facilities around Lake Tahoe has begun. Seasonal closures apply to buildings, restrooms and parking areas at many recreation sites including beaches, campgrounds, interpretive sites, picnic areas and resorts.

Scheduled Closing Dates for Recreation Facilities*

Oct. 1: Round Hill Pines Beach Resort
Oct. 5: Tallac Historic Site
Oct. 6: Badgers Den Campground (Camp Richardson)
Oct. 12: Meeks Bay Resort; Echo Chalet restrooms
Oct. 13: Blackwood Canyon, Fallen Leaf, Kaspian, Nevada Beach, and William Kent campgrounds; Baldwin, Nevada and Pope beaches; Bayview parking area; Kaspian and William Kent beach restrooms
Oct. 19: Eagles Nest Campground (Camp Richardson)
Oct. 26: Taylor Creek Visitor Center, Stream Profile Chamber
Nov. 2: Camp Richardson Corral
Nov. 15: Big Meadow and Eagle Falls trailhead parking areas; Genoa Peak Road; Kiva Picnic Area; Logan Shoals restrooms; Luther Pass Campground; Sand Pit OHV area; Secret Harbor parking area and Watson Lake Campground
Nov. 20: Sawmill Pond
Nov. 30: Inspiration Point parking area and restrooms
Open year-round: Camp Richardson Resort’s hotel, cabins and RV Campground; Zephyr Cove Resort and Campground
Angora Lakes Resort cabins and store, and Echo Chalet marina and store closed earlier in September.

*All dates are subject to change due to conditions and weather.

For public safety and resource protection, Forest Service roads begin closing in mid-November. For specific closing dates, consult the Motor Vehicle Use Maps.

Although buildings, restrooms and parking areas shut down for winter, national forest lands remain open year-round, but parking is limited due to winter conditions and services such as water, restrooms and trash collection are unavailable. Always recreate responsibly by packing out all garbage including pet waste, parking legally and avoid blocking locked gates.

To see the original article in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, CLICK HERE.

Free California State Park Pass for 4th graders

9/17/2025

Hey, fourth graders! Are you ready for an adventure?
The California State Park Adventure Pass is just for you. See how you can visit some of the most amazing parks in the country with your family and friends—for free.

What?
In partnership with the First Partner’s Office and the Natural Resources Agency, State Parks is offering the California State Park Adventure Pass, which provides free entry for fourth graders and their families at 54 amazing state parks throughout the state. Mountains, deserts, forests, rivers … the choice of where to visit is yours. Learn more about the California State Park Adventure Pass.

Who?
You (a fourth grader from California attending a public school), your family (up to three adults and other kids) and friends (everyone in your car) can enjoy all sorts of adventures at 54 state parks during your whole fourth grade year—and the following summer, too. This pass is valid for the one-year period during which the child is a fourth grader or fourth grade equivalent attending a public school, from September 1 to August 31 of that year. For full terms and conditions, click here.

How?
Have your parent or guardian go to ReserveCalifornia.com or call (800) 444-7275. All they have to do is set up a profile by providing their name, address, phone number and email address, and we will send them your free California State Park Adventure Pass to their email right away! For individuals who do not have access to a smartphone, computer or printer and/or do not have an email address, they can still get a pass by visiting a State Parks Pass Sales Office. Click here for a list of Pass Sales Office locations. Learn how to sign up with these tutorial videos:

Where?
Once you have received your State Park Adventure Pass, you can use it by either printing it out or keeping it on your phone to show a uniformed State Parks staffer at one of these 54 state parks. View Google Map.

For Parents and Guardians

For Educators

FAQs

Partner Toolkit

Your Parents Speak Spanish?¿Tus padres hablan español? Tenemos personal que les pueden ayudar en su idioma. Diles a tus padres que nos llamen por teléfono al 1-800-444-7275 o nos visiten en ReserveCalifornia.com

Other Passes Free

Passes Available for Purchase
Our park passes offer something for everyone and make great gifts throughout the year. We invite you to explore them and find the right pass for you--click here for all the details.

All State Parks Passes

https://www.parks.ca.gov/AdventurePass

Day hiker: Yuba Rim Trail — discover the beauty of Rice’s Crossing Preserve

9/17/2025

The Bear Yuba Land Trust has once again provided an exceptional outdoor experience with the Yuba Rim Trail. Located in Yuba County, the 2.3-mile trail climbs 750 feet to a view of the confluence of the North and Middle forks of the Yuba River. While it takes some effort to glimpse the river far below, the expansive canyon views are more than enough reward. This moderate hike begins near Dobbins, not far from Bullards Bar Reservoir and Dam.

Trailhead and getting started
The trailhead is across the street from an old quarry with ample parking. A large sign marks the entrance, identifying it as part of the Rice’s Crossing Preserve. To begin, head out behind the boulders and take in the canyon view on the left. The Yuba Rim Trail sign will be on the right—follow it into the woods for a shaded trek, ideal for summer hiking.

The trail experience
The initial section offers plenty of shade, making it a comfortable hike even on warmer days. The path passes through a cleared area beneath power lines before reentering denser woods. Soon, hikers cross a sturdy bridge over a creek and begin a climb with 10 switchbacks leading to an old logging road. The ascent may feel like the top has been reached more than once, but the trail continues, winding downhill along the canyon rim. A rocky outcropping rewards hikers with a sweeping view, particularly striking at sunset in winter months.

Flora, fauna and highlights
The elevation supports a mixed conifer forest that attracts numerous birds, making it a strong choice for bird watchers. The trail is also dog- and bike-friendly, appealing to a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts. Hikers should be aware the area is mountain lion and bear habitat. Staying alert, especially near dusk, is recommended. On a recent visit, a late start prompted a quicker pace and extra noise as daylight faded. During summer, snakes and poison oak are also common.

Directions to the trailhead•
Take Marysville Road off Highway 20.
• Look for the old quarry on the right; the trailhead is directly across on the left.

Tips for a safe hike•
Start early: Mornings offer cooler weather and avoid late-day wildlife encounters.
• Essentials: Bring water, sunscreen and bug spray. Trekking poles can help with switchbacks and elevation changes.
• Trail conditions: The route is well-maintained and marked, but poison oak and snakes may appear during warmer months.

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (second edition available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 Craft Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the Day Hiker series by the Outdoor Writers of California.

CLICK HERE to read the orginal article by Mary West and see her photos in the Mountain Democrat newspaper.

Here’s where the federal government wants to build roads along the Pacific Crest Trail

9/12/2025

The Trump administration wants to end protections for roadless areas, which include
231 miles of the PCT - The Pacific Crest Trail crosses 71 Inventoried Roadless Areas, places where the current administration wants to reverse protections that have been in place for more than two decades.

Granite Chief IRA—Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit: Heading north from Barker Pass, the PCT, and the contiguous Tahoe Rim Trail climb to dramatic ridgelines, yielding dreamlike views of Lake Tahoe amidst red fir and hemlock forests. Further north, the trail enters Granite Chief Wilderness and intersects the Western States Trail. Areas between Granite Chief Wilderness and Donner Pass are within this IRA, jeopardizing views enjoyed by thru-hikers, day hikers, and even skiers who use Olympic Valley, Lake Tahoe’s largest ski park.

Dardanelles IRA—Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit: Nearly the entire PCT from Carson Pass to Echo Summit is in this roadless area. The  Tahoe Rim Trail also joins the PCT as it traverses through this roadless area, which includes dramatic subalpine meadow vistas, lodgepole and whitebark pine forests, stratified volcanic peaks and ridges, and includes the headwaters of the Truckee River.
Mount Eddy IRA—Shasta-Trinity National Forest: Just across the valley from Mount Shasta, Mount Eddy is the tallest peak along the Trinity Divide, and the tallest peak in CA west of I-5. This subrange of the Klamath Mountains features a unique landscape of towering granite spires, lush evergreen forests, and alpine lakes deep in glacier-carved cirques. The area is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service and was established as a Research Natural Area (RNA) to study its ecological significance, serving as the headwaters for the North Fork Sacramento River.
Grider IRA—Klamath National Forest: This is a popular area for campers and day hikers along the creek, which feeds the Klamath River. Severely burned in the 2014 Happy Camp Complex, the regrowing brush gives way to large stands of surviving trees, and the sound of rushing water is a constant along the trail. The area has already been the subject of a legal fight over logging.
Deep Creek IRA—San Bernardino National Forest: On the north slope of the San Bernardino Mountains about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. Starting at 6,200 feet above sea level, the stream through the IRA drops about 3,000 ft through dramatic canyons in its 22-mile course before flowing into the East Fork of the Mojave River. It includes deep pools and hot springs and is a popular spot for day hikers.
South Sierra IRA—Inyo National Forest: On the PCT and near the South Fork of the Kern River. The iconic Kennedy Meadows (South) serves as a vital point for northbound PCT hikers, marking the beginning of their journey into the Sierra Nevada. It’s also a gateway for anglers, backpackers, and day hikers into the nearby Golden Trout and South Sierra wilderness areas.
San Joaquin IRA—Inyo National Forest: Red’s Meadow is a beloved respite along the PCT and a starting point for horse packers at the Agnew Meadows Pack Station. It is situated near the beloved Devils Postpile National Monument and is a perfect gateway into the quintessential Sierra Nevada alpine landscape, with wildflowers and granite boulders strewn about Jeffery Pine forests.

Click here to see the complete article from the Pacific Crest Trail Association.

Tahoe National Forest plans for new headquarters in Nevada City fall through - have not been able to secure funding

9/5/2025

From The Union Newspaper:
Nevada County staff confirmed that the Tahoe National Forest (TNF) will no longer pursue plans to build their 19,800 square foot office headquarters campus on 9.3 acres of county property located at 15405 Kahele Court, Nevada City.

It is not clear why the 50-year lease agreement fell through. The county would have collected an annual net income of $52,664.04 if the agreement was not rescinded. “The project is no longer the ultimate plan,” Craig Griesbach, Nevada County’s Information and General Services Agency (IGS) Director said. “They will be searching for a new site as their current location on Coyote Street is slated for the new courthouse.” The county’s goal is to keep the TNF headquarters in Nevada County, ultimately in Nevada City, according to Griesbach.

The Union asked officials from the Coyote Street office for comment, who declined and forwarded the request to a United States Forest Service (USFS) spokesperson in Washington D.C.

“...we have not been able to secure funding in order to move forward with construction,” the emailed response forwarded to The Union by TNF PIO Lauren Falkenberry said. “The Tahoe National Forest is currently reviewing other possible alternatives. Our lease for our current building will be terminated in 2028.”

In May of 2024 the Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved the lease for land between the County of Nevada and the U.S Government, through the U.S Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, for the 9.3 acres for the July 1, 2024 term, through June 30, 2074, according to the staff report and resolution. The county’s 9.3 acre parcel located next to the existing County Juvenile Hall facility was described as having an ideal proximity to Highway 49 and the 20 corridor, which is a requirement for any forest service headquarters, according to Justin Drinkwater, Director of Facilities.

The county did a lot of the initial studies of the property including a timber harvest plan, and all biological and environmental studies to make the site developable for the new TNF headquarters, Drinkwater told Supervisors and the public in May 2024. The initial plan for the facility was to combine administrative offices of TNF and Camptonville Yuba River Ranger District, Matthew Jedra, Acting Forest Supervisor told the Supervisors in 2024.

Originally the estimated cost of the project was just over $13 million before COVID. “We essentially have gone up to plus $25 million just for construction,” Jedra said. “We’re pursuing federal funding to be able to get this completed in a two-phase approach,” Jedra said. “Beginning in fiscal year 2026, we are pursuing $15 million and then in fiscal 2027 the additional $14 to $15 million to complete construction.”

The design plans potentially included offices for county employees, as well as a community center that would have been available to the public for community engagements, according to Jedra. The site plan also shows the structure was intended as a visitor center as well.

When the 50-year lease agreement was approved in 2024, the design was at 65 percent complete, according to Jedra, however he was looking at ways to “dial back the cost and size of the facility” based on the number of staff who had the ability to work remotely. Work on the infrastructure was set to begin in 2026 and the vertical construction in 2027, according to Jedra.

Nationwide federal cuts hit close to home
The U.S. Forest Service has laid off roughly 3,400 federal employees across every level of the agency since February. Cuts have reportedly hit close to home as over a dozen individuals working within the Tahoe National Forest have also lost their jobs.

The move is in response to President Donald Trump and his administration’s plan to shrink the U.S. federal government. The cuts represent about 10 percent of the Forest Service workforce, but reportedly exclude firefighters. Officials confirmed that no firefighting crews — including local Hotshot crews — have been impacted, though a part time public information officer has been let go.

A Hotshot, or Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC), is a highly trained group of firefighters who respond to the most dangerous wildland fires. They are considered one of the most elite firefighting teams in the world. In February a response from a USDA spokesperson responding to journalist’s questions read: “... (the) USDA has made the difficult decision to release about 2,000 probationary, non-firefighting employees from the Forest Service.”

CLICK HERE to see the original article and photos in The Union newspaper.

Tahoe National Forest 'Hoot Trail' safety signs victims of targeted destruction

9/4/2025

It has been reported by several Tahoe National Forest hikers and equestrians that there is serious sign vandalism on the Hoot Trail, a public TNF System trail intended for pedestrian, equestrian and mountain bike bi-directional use.

SIGN DESTRUCTION
Several USFS informational signs regarding equestrian use have been obscenely defaced. (See two blurred photos of vandalized signs below.) Other signs posted by USFS that inform visitors that the trail is bi-directional and open to hikers and equestrians have been removed, covered over in unauthorized decals obscuring important information for visitors, or defaced.

AGAINST THE LAW
Sign vandalism interferes with all trail users from safely enjoying and traveling on Hoot Trail. It is against the law to damage, injure, remove, or obstruct official public signs. Penalties vary but can include fines, jail time, community service, and restitution.

USER CONFLICT
Mountain bikers have been lobbying Tahoe National Forest for the Hoot Trail to become a single user mt. bike and downhill trail only. Equestrians and hikers wish the Hoot Trail to remain a trail for all non-motorized users and have been lobbying Tahoe National Forest to remove the berms, jumps and other obstacles not designed in the original multi-use trail. One equestrian group that paid for the trail studies, the CEQA legal work, and most of the construction of the multi-use Hoot Trail are particularly concerned.

HOOT TRAIL USER INFORMATION
The Hoot Trail is a bi-directional, multi-use trail, open to pedestrians, mt. bikers and equestrians. Downhill mt. bike speed needs to be controlled enough to stop for other trail users, excessive/unsafe speed can be cited. Mt. bikers yield to hikers and everyone yields to equestrians. PLEASE yield to uphill traffic.