Each year, the Fourth of July brings celebration, fireworks, and crowded beaches to Lake Tahoe. But when the parties end, the lake and its shores often pay the price.
Last year alone, volunteers collected 1,866 pounds of litter from Lake Tahoe beaches after the holiday weekend—a drop from the 8,559 pounds picked up in 2023, but still a heavy burden on the fragile ecosystem we love.
If you’re one of the thousands enjoying Tahoe this week, we have a simple ask:
Be vigilant, pack out your trash, and consider giving back.
Join the Post-Fireworks Cleanup with Clean Up The Lake
On Friday, July 5th, at 8:00 AM, our friends at Clean Up The Lake (CUTL) are hosting one of the largest July 5th cleanups and water quality research efforts in Tahoe’s history, and they need your help.
Basecamp: Ski Beach, Incline Village, NV
When: 8:00 AM sharp for volunteer check-in and safety briefing
CUTL is looking for:
- Boat captains
- Kayakers
- Snorkelers and freedivers
- Certified scuba divers
- Surface support volunteers
Whether you prefer helping from a kayak, snorkeling the shallows, diving below the surface, or assisting boats from shore, there’s a place for you in this community effort.
This year’s cleanup is not only about removing litter; it’s about researching the environmental impact of fireworks on Crystal Bay’s water quality. Teams will collect water samples from 20 sites, monitor microplastics, and deploy sensors to better understand how our celebrations impact Tahoe’s clear waters.
Can’t Make It July 5th? You Can Still Help
If you can’t join on July 5th, CUTL also needs litter-sorting volunteers on July 9th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
You’ll help process the collected debris, gathering data that fuels better stewardship decisions for the future.
Why It Matters
Tahoe has been making headlines for the challenges it faces each summer—from $100 parking fees to manage crowding to the tragic sight of beaches littered with beer cans, plastic wrappers, and fireworks debris. But it’s also home to a strong community that steps up to care for this place we love.
Each piece of trash removed from the lake prevents pollution, protects wildlife, and preserves the beauty that draws us back season after season.
How to Get Involved
✅ Volunteer for July 5th or July 9th: cleanupthelake.org
✅ Pack out all your trash if you’re celebrating today
✅ Encourage your friends and family to leave Tahoe cleaner than they found it
If you want to see first-hand what a cleanup looks like, CUTL welcomes visitors to Ski Beach Friday morning for safe, respectful observation or for future participation.
Tahoe’s beauty isn’t guaranteed. It depends on the choices we make today. Join us, be vigilant this Fourth, and help keep Tahoe blue for generations to come.
Keep Tahoe Red, White & Blue: Beach Cleanups Across the Lake
Lake Tahoe’s beaches need care not just after the Fourth, but all summer long. Each year, Keep Tahoe Blue’s “Red, White & Blue” Beach Cleanups mobilize volunteers on July 5th across multiple locations to remove litter, sort debris for recycling, and protect Tahoe’s fragile ecosystems.
In past years, these efforts have made headlines, including removing 6,300 pounds of litter in three hours from Zephyr Shoals alone in 2023.
How to participate:
✅ Register: keeptahoeblue.org/july5
✅ Arrive with reusable water bottles, gloves, and your Tahoe spirit
✅ Clean, drain, and dry your gear to prevent invasive species
✅ Use alternative transportation when possible
July 5, 2025 Cleanup Locations:
📍 Incline Village – 960 Lakeshore Blvd, Incline Village, NV
🕗 Starts at 6:00 AM
Cleanup includes the beach, Lakeshore Blvd, and surrounding areas.
Partners: Incline Village GID, ECO-CLEAN Solutions
📍 Commons Beach – 400 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA
Cleanup includes the beach, town, and 64 Acres.
Partners: Tahoe City PUD, Tahoe City Downtown Association
📍 Skylandia Park – 30 Manzanita Ave, Tahoe City, CA
Cleanup includes the trails and beach.
Partner: Sierra Nevada Alliance
📍 Kiva Beach – 1 Heritage Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Cleanup includes Kiva Beach, towards the highway, and to Camp Richardson.
Partners: USDA Forest Service LTBMU, Heavenly Mountain Resort, Camp Richardson Resort
📍 Kings Beach State Recreation Area – Bear St, Kings Beach, CA
Cleanup includes Kings Beach, North Tahoe Beach, Secline Beach, and Moon Dune Beach.
Partners: CA State Parks, Northstar Mountain Resort
📍 Lakeview Commons/Regan Beach – 1004 Lakeview Ave, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Cleanup includes Lakeview Commons, Regan Beach, and Hidden Beach.
Partners: City of South Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood Mountain Resort
📍 Nevada Beach – 416 Bittlers Rd, Zephyr Cove, NV
Cleanup includes the beach, campground, and Elks Point Rd.
Partners: Vista Recreation, Stio Mountain Studio Tahoe, Bally’s Lake Tahoe
📍 Zephyr Cove & Shoals – 760 Hwy 50, Zephyr Cove, NV
Cleanup includes Zephyr Cove through Zephyr Shoals.
Partners: USDA Forest Service LTBMU, Aramark Destinations
Why It Matters
These efforts protect Tahoe’s clarity, wildlife, and scenic beauty while collecting data used to prevent litter at its source. Together, we can transform the culture of recreation at Tahoe, making responsible, lake-friendly practices the norm.
If you love Tahoe, this is your chance to give back. Join a cleanup, pack out your trash, and inspire others to care for the places we all love to explore.
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