Most campgrounds and recreation sites within the Tahoe National Forest will be open for Memorial Day and most trails are open with only patches of snow on north facing slopes.  “The dry winter and spring this past year has enabled us to get campgrounds open earlier than normal,” stated Tom Quinn, Forest Supervisor.  “The light snow pack permitted most of the sites to be open for the holiday weekend, which is unusual.  Hikers will still find some snow patches in the high country, especially on north facing slopes or in shaded areas, however much of the forest is snow free.  This lack of snow and reduced rainfall are making for very dry conditions, however.  We are moving into fire season much earlier than usual, especially on the east side of the Forest.  Please be especially careful with your campfires this year.  Campfire permits are required outside of developed campgrounds and are free at all Forest Service, BLM, and Cal Fire offices,” advised Quinn. 

 

The following status report of campgrounds, roads and trails is listed by major transportation corridor or area.

 

Bullards Bar Reservoir – Yuba County

All campgrounds, picnic areas, and boat ramps are open.   Shoreline camping is available.

 

Highway 49 – Sierra County

Most all campgrounds, picnic areas and trails in the lower and upper elevations are open along the North Yuba River.  These include Indian Valley, Ramshorn, Rocky Rest, Carlton, Cal-Ida, Fiddle Creek, Union Flat, Loganville, Wild Plum, Yuba Pass, Sierra, and Chapman Campgrounds.   

 

Sierra Buttes Area – Sierra County

Gold Lakes Road is open.  Most TNF campgrounds in the area are open except for Salmon Creek due to paving of the campground.  Packer Lake Road is open past Packer Saddle.

 

Highway 89 North – Sierra and Nevada Counties

Most all the campgrounds are open including Cottonwood, Cold Creek, and Upper and Lower Little Truckee.

 

Jackson Meadow Area – Sierra County

The road is currently open to Jackson Meadow Reservoir and campgrounds will be open for Memorial Day. 

 

The campgrounds are open around Boca, Prosser and Stampede Reservoirs. 

 

Highway 89- South – Placer County

Granite Flat, Silver Creek and Goose Meadows Campgrounds are open.

 

Interstate 80 – Nevada and Placer Counties

The Pacific Crest Trail and other trails along the Sierra crest still have some snow drifts. 

 

Campgrounds including Big Bend, Hampshire Rocks and Indian Springs are expected to be open by Memorial Day.  (Call for information on campground water availability at Hampshire Rocks and Indian Springs – 530-367-2224.) North Fork, Tunnel Mills and Onion Valley Campgrounds are open.

 

Rattlesnake Road is open beyond Woodchuck Campground.   Woodchuck Campground is open.  Loch Leven trails still have some snow.

 

Highway 20 – Nevada County

White Cloud and Skillman Campgrounds are open.  The Pioneer Trail is open.  Rock Creek Nature Trail is open.

 

Bowman Lake Road – Nevada County

The Bowman Road is open to Faucherie.  Campgrounds including Bowman, Jackson Creek, Canyon and Faucherie are open.   Carr and Lindsey Lake Campgrounds are also open. 

 

Foresthill Area – Placer County

Sugar Pine Reservoir campgrounds and picnic areas are open.  Big Reservoir campground (Morning Star) will be open for Memorial Day weekend.  The Sugar Pine OHV Trails are open.

 

Mumford Bar and Beacroft Trails are open, but there are many trees down on the trail and considerable brush and poison oak on the lower parts of the trail.

 

French Meadows campgrounds and boat ramps are accessible, but drinking water systems are still being tested.  Talbot campground and Trailhead to Granite Chief Wilderness are open.  Placer Big Trees Grove and picnic area are open.  Robinson Flat Campground is open but water tests not fully completed. (Call for information on campground water availability – 530-367-2224).

 

River Caution!

Even though water levels are down for this time of year, rivers are running fast and cold.  Caution should be taken near the water – especially with children and pets.   

 

For More Information

For more information, see the Tahoe National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe or call one of the Ranger Stations listed below:

 

Tahoe National Forest Headquarters – in Nevada City (530) 265-4531

American River Ranger District – in Foresthill (530) 367-2224

Sierraville Ranger District – in Sierraville (530) 994-3401

Truckee Ranger District – in Truckee (530) 587-3558

Yuba River Ranger District – in Camptonville (530) 288-3231.

Reservoirs East of Truckee – Nevada County