By Sierra Rec Magazine Staff
Published: April 30, 2025
Spring in Lake Tahoe is more than just a season—it’s a signal. The ice thaws, waterfalls roar, and the anticipation of another high Sierra summer begins to build. This week, the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit released its much-anticipated list of recreation site opening dates for 2025, and it’s time to start planning your Tahoe escape.
While a few popular spots are already welcoming visitors, many favorites across the basin—from scenic trailheads to historic sites, family campgrounds, and waterfront resorts—are slated to reopen throughout May and early June. Here’s what you need to know to be among the first back on the trails, at your favorite picnic spot, or camping beneath the stars.
🚗 Quick Look: What’s Already Open
- Zephyr Cove Stables kicked things off early, opening April 14.
- Round Hill Pines Resort follows closely behind with a May 1 opening.
- Camp Richardson Corral saddles up on May 3, and Eagle’s Nest and Badger’s Den campgrounds open May 7.
📍 Opening Highlights by Category
🏕️ Campgrounds, Corrals, and Resorts
- Meeks Bay Campground & Resort – May 9
- Fallen Leaf, Nevada Beach, William Kent, and Luther Pass Campgrounds – May 23
- Echo Chalet – May 25
- Blackwood Canyon & Kaspian Campgrounds – June 1
- Angora Lakes Resort – June 7
- Year-Round Options: Camp Richardson RV Park and Zephyr Cove Campground remain open all year
🌲 Scenic & Interpretive Sites
- Inspiration Point (Hello, Emerald Bay views!) – May 23
- Logan Shoals Vista Point – May 24
- Taylor Creek Visitor Center & Tallac Historic Site – May 24
🏖️ Beaches, Picnic Areas & Trailheads
- Sandpit OHV Area – May 10
- Baldwin, Pope, Nevada, and Secret Harbor Beaches – May 16
- Sawmill Pond Picnic Area – May 16
- Mt. Tallac Trailhead – May 17
- Bayview, Big Meadow Trailheads – May 23
- Eagle Falls & Kiva Picnic Areas – May 23–24
- Chimney Beach – TBA – Stay tuned
🐾 What to Know Before You Go
While these dates help with trip planning, keep in mind that openings are weather-dependent. Snowpack, safety hazards like fallen trees, and freezing temperatures can delay some site services like water systems or trash collection.
Visitors are encouraged to pack it in, pack it out—especially at sites not yet fully serviced. If the gate’s still closed, don’t block access or park on vegetation. And if you’re bringing your furry friends, remember: dogs are not allowed on designated swim beaches (including Meeks Bay, Pope, Camp Richardson, and Zephyr Cove), and leashes are required at developed sites.
🌄 Make This the Summer You Discover Something New
As always, the Forest Service urges travelers to check conditions before heading out, especially in early season. Road openings, gate access, and trail conditions can shift quickly in the Sierra.
At Sierra Rec Magazine, we’ll continue to update you on what’s open, what’s worth exploring, and how to experience Tahoe at its best this summer.
For the full list of recreation site opening dates and updates, visit the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit website or follow them on Facebook/X.
#DiscoverMoreSierra #LakeTahoeAdventures #Summer2025
