Plumas National Forest Christmas Tree Permits

a woman and child walking through the snow with a tree

Plumas National Forest Christmas tree permits on sale for the holiday season QUINCY, CA — With a break in the weather and December just around the corner, it’s a great time to get a Christmas tree on the Plumas National Forest for the holiday season!  Christmas tree permits for the Plumas National Forest are now … Read more

Kick Off the Holidays in Gold Country: Christmas Town Sonora

This Thanksgiving week, escape into a world of Sierra holiday magic with the charming traditions of Christmas Town Sonora. Nestled in the heart of Gold Country, Sonora comes alive with festivities that capture the spirit of the season, offering a joyful blend of nostalgia and community cheer. Mark your calendars:🎄 Lighting of the Red Church … Read more

Tioga Pass Closes for the Winter Season

Tioga Pass (State Route 120) has officially closed for the 2024 winter season. Caltrans, in coordination with the National Park Service and Tuolumne County, announced the seasonal closure on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 6:45 p.m. The closure begins at Crane Flat Road inside Yosemite National Park, as winter weather conditions have made the high-altitude … Read more

Is the Great Reno Balloon Race’s Future in Jeopardy?

For over four decades, the Great Reno Balloon Race (GRBR) has been a vibrant celebration of community spirit, innovation, and the sheer magic of flight. Every September, more than 100,000 attendees gather at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park to watch the skies ignite with color, drawn by the promise of a free and unforgettable experience. … Read more

AllTrails Apple Watch Update Enhances Hiking Experience

Elevate Your Outdoor Adventures: AllTrails’ New Off-Trail Alerts and Apple Watch Updates – A Perfect Gift for Tech-Savvy Trailblazers The holiday season is here, and if you’re looking for the ultimate gift for the adventurer in your life, AllTrails has just the thing. Their recent updates to the AllTrails Apple Watch app make outdoor exploration … Read more

AllTrails Introduces Offline Parks – Holiday Gift Idea

all trails national parks

Explore the Sierra Like Never Before: AllTrails’ Offline National Park Guides – The Perfect Holiday Gift The Sierra Nevada is home to some of the most breathtaking national parks in the world—Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Lassen Volcanic, and even the rugged beauty of Death Valley. Each offers unique experiences and miles of trails to explore. … Read more

Behind the Scenes of Sierra Rec Magazines Winter Edition

Behind the Winter Issue & Snowshoeing SecretsThis week on Sierra Rec Now, host Charlie Pankey dives into the buzz surrounding recent bomb cyclone activity in the Sierra. But the real heart of the episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the stories and inspiration behind the just-released Winter 2024 Edition of Sierra Rec Magazine. From epic … Read more

The BLM Bishop Field Office offers online Christmas tree cutting permits

BLM Christmas Tree California

Now available online for this holiday season BISHOP, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office is offering personal use Christmas tree cutting permits online, from now until Dec. 24. The permits allow the public to harvest up to five Christmas trees on designated BLM-managed public lands near Benton and Bridgeport in Mono County. … Read more

BLM Artist-in-Residence presents live musical performance

alabama hills

BISHOP, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management, in partnership with C5 Studios, announces a community engagement performance as part of its Artist-in-Residence  program. On Saturday, Nov. 30, from 5-6:30 p.m., composer Daniel Walter will host a live performance at C5 Studios, 210 S Warren Street, Bishop, CA. Daniel Walter, a Los Angeles based composer and musician, … Read more

5 of the best routes for a Sierra Nevada road trip

alabama hills

The Sierra Nevada offers the perfect blend of rugged natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and a rich local history. You’ll find everything here, from towering peaks to ancient sequoias and shimmering lakes. Road-tripping lets you explore this magical area at your own pace. You can connect with both small mountain towns and pristine wilderness areas. Every … Read more

Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan Approved by Placer County Board of Supervisors

Palisades Tahoe ski resort

More Rooms, Employee Housing and Improved Parking just part of the larger expansion Plans at Palisade Tahoe OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. (Nov. 19, 2024) – Today, the Placer County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan, which will allow Palisades Tahoe to complete a world-class village and base area to … Read more

Bear Valley Postpones Opening Day, Winterfest Weekend Still On

bear valley skier

Bear Valley, CA – While many were eager to hit the slopes this Pre-Thanksgiving weekend, Mother Nature had other plans for Bear Valley Resort. Due to less-than-ideal snow conditions, the resort has announced a delayed opening day, now set for Friday, November 29th. Despite the setback, the resort remains optimistic and is hard at work … Read more

Heavenly Mountain Resort To Open Two Days Ahead of Schedule on Wednesday, November 20

Heavenly Mtn resort

South Lake Tahoe, CALIF. – November 16, 2024 – With 9 inches of new snow in the last week and more actively falling, Heavenly Mountain Resort announced today that it will open two days earlier than originally planned on Wednesday, November 20. These ideal conditions, along with the incredible work of the resort’s snowmaking and mountain operations … Read more

37th episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast – Winter Closures in the Sierra

Join host Charlie Pankey for the 37th episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast! This week, we’re diving into the start of the winter sports season with updates on Mt. Rose and Mammoth Mountain’s upcoming openings. We also cover the latest seasonal closures in the Sierra and reservation changes, highlighting the renowned Firefall event in … Read more

D.L. Bliss State Park Camping Closure Extended into Summer 2025

Boats on Lake Tahoe

A Disappointment for Lake Tahoe Campers We’ve received some unfortunate news from California State Parks: D.L. Bliss State Park will remain closed for camping and partially closed for day use into summer 2025. This extended closure is necessary to complete essential waterline infrastructure replacement that they started last winter. What Does This Mean for Campers? … Read more

Winter Closures at Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park road closure

Latest Snow Closes Lassen Volcanic National Park to Vehicle Traffic Winter has arrived in Northern California, and with it comes the closure of the main park road (Hwy 89) through Lassen Volcanic National Park. As of November 13th, 2024, you can’t drive all the way through the park. This also marks the time in which … Read more

Palisades Tahoe Expands Parking and Transit Solutions for 2024-25 Season

Parking attendant Palisades Tahoe

Palisades Tahoe to Continue Initiatives That Are Helping to Reduce Traffic Congestion and Change Behavior Parking Reservation Program, Incentivized Park & Ride Shuttles, Employee Carpool Program, and Expanded Microtransit Services Return for 2024-25 Season Palisades Tahoe is stepping up its commitment to alleviating traffic congestion and promoting sustainability by enhancing its parking reservation program and … Read more

Hot August Nights’ Youth Automotive Challenge

Two youth by old truck

Entries Open for 2025 Competition Presented by the Hot August Nights Foundation, the challenge presents more than $10,000 in scholarships and prizes RENO, Nevada (Nov. 12, 2024) – Entries are now open for the 2025Hot August Nights Foundation’s Youth Automotive Challenge,  taking place in August 2025 during the main Hot August Nights event in Reno-Sparks, Nevada.The Youth … Read more

A Tribute to Exploration: Withanee Milligan’s Journey in Walk of Ages

Join host Charlie Pankey as he welcomes Withanee Milligan, co-author of Walk of Ages, to the Sierra Rec Now podcast. This episode delves into Withanee’s quest to retrace her father’s footsteps—an extraordinary journey from the summit of Mt. Whitney across the unforgiving desert of Death Valley to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the U.S. … Read more

Celebrating a Journey of Discovery and Legacy

Walk of Ages Podcast Poster Sierra REc Now

An Interview with Withanee Milligan Co Author of Walk of Ages Today on the Sierra Rec Now podcast , host and Publisher Charlie Pankey welcomes Withanee Milligan, the co-author of Walk of Ages, an inspiring memoir that captures one of the most challenging yet meaningful adventures of her life. This extraordinary tale began as a … Read more

North Shore Trail Reopens: A Smoother, Safer Experience for Tahoe’s Outdoor Lovers

lady riding bike in fall weather

TAHOE CITY, Calif. — If you’re a regular on Tahoe’s trails, get ready for an exciting update: the Tahoe City Public Utility District (TCPUD) has just completed a major reconstruction project on the North Shore Trail, adding more safety features and smoother paths. This well-loved multi-use trail, which winds along the north shore of Lake … Read more

TAHOE LIVE UNVEILS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED 2024 COMPLETE LINEUP 

Group at live concert Palisades

Olympic Valley, Calif. [November 5, 2024]— Tahoe Live is thrilled to unveil its complete lineup for the highly anticipated 2024 festival. Headlined by Lil Wayne, Diplo, Loud Luxury, and RL Grime, the festival will return for its third year on December 14 and 15, transforming Palisades Tahoe into a world-class winter music destination. Rounding out this stacked lineup are Valentino Khan, Bijou, Ookay, Wenzday, Anella, and Maddi … Read more

Mt. Rose Kicks Off 2024/25 Ski Season Early: 60 Years of Local Vibes!

MT. Rose Powder Skier courtesy of Mt rose

It’s here! Reno’s beloved local ski destination, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, opens early this Friday, November 8th, kicking off the 2024/25 ski season. Snow lovers rejoice—thanks to a recent storm and a week of consistent snowmaking, the slopes are primed and ready to welcome skiers and snowboarders for an epic November start. 60 Years of … Read more

Invasive Golden Mussel Found in Bay-Delta near Stockton

Golden Mussels

Lake Tahoe on High Alert Lake Tahoe, Calif. – Last week California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) discovered golden mussels that could significantly damage the ecology of waterbodies in the Bay-Delta near Stockton, California. Lake Tahoe is now on high alert, according to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). It is the first time the … Read more

Championship Stories and Fishing Legacies: An Interview with Bam Trail Pro Bass Champion Luke Johns

Luke Johns Holding small Mouth bass Lake Almanor

In this week’s episode of Sierra Rec Now, we’re excited to feature Luke Johns, the 2024 Bam Trail Pro Bass Tournament Champion! Fresh off his championship weekend, Luke joins us to share insights into his journey through the Bam Trail, an inaugural pro bass series making waves in competitive fishing. Luke is one of the … Read more

Wheelchair-Friendly Destinations in The Sierra

An older town located in The Sierra Nevada with snowcaps on the mountains behind it. The sun is setting in the distance.

Exploring the vast beauty of the Sierra Nevada offers unforgettable adventures for everyone. With a growing number of wheelchair-accessible paths and viewing areas, this iconic region has become an inviting destination for all travelers who crave the outdoors. The Sierra offers diverse wheelchair-friendly options, from scenic lakefront trails to awe-inspiring mountain views, making it a … Read more