South Lake Tahoe, Calif. – May 1, 2023—Starting today, the California Tahoe Conservancy is closing the Upper Truckee Marsh to dogs. This annual seasonal closure protects birds and other wildlife during the breeding season. People must keep dogs away from the sensitive marsh habitat through July 31. Beginning August 1, people may resume bringing leashed dogs within the closed areas of the Marsh.
Conservancy land along the west bank of the Upper Truckee River and north of Venice Drive remains open for year-round access to leashed dogs. A fully accessible trail leads from the end of Venice Drive to Lake Tahoe.
Conservancy staff and California Highway Patrol officers monitor these areas for compliance.
The Conservancy manages 600 acres at the Upper Truckee Marsh, one of the largest remaining marshes in the Sierra Nevada, for the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat and water quality.
The seasonal closure protects wildlife such as red-winged blackbirds during their breeding season.
When is the seasonal dog closure?
The Upper Truckee Marsh is closed to dogs from May 1 through July 31.
Why is there a seasonal dog closure?
The Conservancy manages the Upper Truckee Marsh for the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat to a non-degradation standard. To date, compliance with the leash law has not been sufficient to maintain a non-degradation standard. Off leash dogs do not always stay on the beach or trail, and often run free in sensitive areas that endanger wildlife.
In July 2010, after nearly a decade of monitoring showing that compliance with leash laws had not been sufficient to meet management objectives, the Conservancy Board authorized the seasonal dog closure.
Will the seasonal dog closure be ongoing?
The closure is seasonal from May 1 – July 31, which encompasses the critical wildlife breeding season. The Board may consider alternative management strategies in the future.
Is Cove East closed to dogs?
Cove East remains open to year-round leashed access. See map for more details.
Where can I take my dog off leash/to the water?
- Bijou Dog Park
- Regan Beach Dog Area
- Kiva Beach
Is the seasonal dog closure related to future restoration?
The seasonal dog closure is put into effect under the Conservancy’s current management responsibilities, and is not dependent upon the proposed restoration project.
