Recreational Activities

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Access to Recreation Sites at Lake Tahoe

The agencies managing public lands in the Tahoe Basin have made concerted efforts to provide access to all visitors, and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is continuously progressing to upgrade facilities to meet universal access requirements, as funding allows.

Although some activities and facilities provide limited access to those with disabilities, we hope that by describing the following access information, you will be able to make an informed decision about which sites will be the most worthwhile for you to visit. Several sites are managed by the Forest Service, while others are managed by other government agencies.

This page is intended to provide only an overview of a few areas; please call our office at (530) 543-2694 or the contact number for the site that you are interested in for more detailed information.

Recreation and Historic Sites

Taylor Creek Visitor Center

The Taylor Creek Visitor Center provides many opportunities for visitors to experience the essence of the natural world at Lake Tahoe. All facilities at the Visitor Center are wheelchair accessible, including the Rainbow Trail, Stream Profile Chamber, and restrooms. In addition, audiotape tours of the area are available at no charge at the Visitor Center.

The Taylor Creek Visitor Center summer operations begin on Memorial Day weekend.  The Visitor Center and the restrooms are open weekends only from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and daily beginning mid-June thru September 30 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. During the month of October, the Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Stream Profile Chamber, located 1/4 mile down the Rainbow Trail, provides a view of the stream environment allowing visitors to study a diverted section of Taylor Creek through a panel of aquarium-like windows. The Stream Profile Chamber opens daily beginning Memorial Day weekend from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and beginning mid-June thru September 30 from 8:00 a.m. until 5 p.m. During the month of October, the Stream Profile Chamber is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Taylor Creek Visitor Center also houses the Lake of the Sky Amphitheater, which hosts programs, activities and events throughout the summer and early fall.

See the section on trails for more information on accessible trails at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center.

The Visitor Center is located 3 miles north of South Lake Tahoe, California, on the lake side of Highway 89. It is past the Tallac Historic Site and the turn off for Fallen Leaf Lake. Visit the Taylor Creek Visitor Center, Tallac Historic Site and the Stream Profile Chamber web pages for more information.

Tallac Historic Site

A century ago, what is now the Tallac Historic Site held the "Grandest Resort in the World" and the summer retreats for three of the San Francisco Bay area's socially elite families. Today the remains of the resort and the restored estates attract many thousands of visitors annually to recapture this bygone and significant era in Tahoe's history. Many paths and most buildings, including the Baldwin Museum, Valhalla (Heller Estate), and the Boathouse Theater, are accessible to those in wheelchairs. Ramps are available to enable access to the first floor of the Pope House, please call (530) 541-5227 in advance. A video tour of the Pope House also is available at the Baldwin Museum. The site is located 2.5 miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89; follow signs for parking.

Inspiration Point (Emerald Bay)

600 feet above Lake Tahoe, Inspiration Point provides the perfect overlook for all of Emerald Bay, the boats, Vikingsholm, and Fanette Island. Interpretive signs assist in understanding the history of the area. All views are accessible via paved walkways, and the restrooms are accessible, too.  Parking can be difficult during busy summer months especially between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during the summer months.  Please park legally, not along Hwy 89.

Eagle Falls Picnic Area (Emerald Bay)

This picnic area includes picnic tables, boardwalks, and a recently constructed restroom that is fully accessible. There is a day-use fee of $5.00..

Vikingsholm (Emerald Bay)

Vikingsholm is a magnificent summer "castle" owned by Mrs. Lora Knight that was completed in 1929. Mrs. Knight enjoyed 15 summers at Vikingsholm with her staff of 15 and many guests.

A one-mile, very steep, paved trail leads from the parking lot to Vikingsholm. There is a day-use fee of $6.00. Each Wednesday at 1:00 pm during the summer tour season, California State Parks offers those with limited mobility the opportunity to ride to the site in a park vehicle. Please call (530) 525-9529 for details and advance reservations; space is limited.

Tours of Vikingsholm are available seven days a week from mid-June until the end of September, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All tours are guided tours and take approximately one-half hour. The tour fee is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for youths 6 to 17, children under 6 are free. Visit the Vikingsholm web page for more information.

Gatekeeper's Museum

The Gatekeeper's Museum in Tahoe City is a reconstruction of the original Gatekeeper's Cabin - home of the water master who controlled the flow of water out of Lake Tahoe. It now showcases Tahoe history, from its Native inhabitants through the logging era and the establishment of the tourism industry at Lake Tahoe. The museum has a ramp, and most exhibits are accessible. The plaza outside the museum is a beautiful open area. Visit the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society web page on the Gatekeeper's Museum for more information.

Spooner Lake State Park

Spooner Lake is halfway between Incline Village and South Lake Tahoe, on the east shore of Lake Tahoe. While the trail around the lake may be too rough for those with limited mobility, the park does offer a paved trail to shaded picnic areas, plus restrooms. There is a parking fee.

Explore Tahoe: An Urban Trailhead

This new multi-agency Visitor Center at the base of the Heavenly Gondola (see below), opened just last summer, and offers an introduction to the Tahoe Basin. Accessible exhibits, parking and restrooms are available. Explore Tahoe is located at 4114 Lake Tahoe Blvd. (Hwy 50) in South Lake Tahoe. You may contact them by telephone at (530) 542-2908

Heavenly Mountain Resort Gondola

Located one-half block west of Stateline, the Gondola's eight-passenger cabins take guests 2.4 miles up the mountain in 12 minutes while they enjoy views of Lake Tahoe. Attendants will stop the gondola car to give time to those in wheelchairs and strollers to board.

The first stop is at the 14,000 square foot mid-station observation platform. Located at 9,123 feet, guests are treated to views of the Carson Valley, Desolation Wilderness and shore-to-shore views of Lake Tahoe. Guests then re-board the gondola to continue up the mountain. There is an elevator from the second station to ground level, and paved paths to the café and restrooms. From the top, the gondola travels nonstop back to Stateline.

Water Views

There are several places to take in the area's spectacular views. Most of the following locations provide parking lots or turnouts where you can enjoy the scenery without leaving your vehicle, and Logan Shoals has a paved trail to a nice overlook.

West Shore

There are several turnouts along Highway 89, south of Tahoe City, that are adjacent to Lake Tahoe.

Truckee River Bike Path

This section of the beautiful Truckee River is adjacent to Highway 89 just north of Tahoe City, and it is accessible via the bike path. Be aware the path is frequently very busy with bike riders.

Secret Harbor Vista

This vista point and parking lot has a great view and restrooms.

Logan Shoals Vista Point

Also on the east shore, this vista point has parking on the road's shoulder, restrooms, and a paved path to the overlook.

Cave Rock Parking Area

Located on the east shore, this popular boat launching and picnic area allows you to see virtually the entire lake from your car. There is a parking fee.

Beaches

Zephyr Cove Beach

Zephyr Cove Beach provides accessible restrooms, paved disabled parking, and has an accessible beach/sand wheelchair available for use.

William Kent Beach and Kaspian Picnic Area

These areas provide lakeside picnicking and beautiful views of Lake Tahoe. Access is provided via either hard dirt trails or the paved bike trail, and there are restrooms.

Sand Harbor

The Sand Point Nature Trail (1/3 mile long) is a boardwalk with interpretive signs and breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe. Facilities at this Nevada State Park include sandy beaches, a boat launch, and picnicking and group use facilities, as well as a recently constructed visitor's center. The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival takes place during July and August, with wheelchair accessible seating, access for people with limited mobility, and assisted listening devices for the hearing impaired. Sand Harbor is located three miles south of Incline Village on State Route 28. There is a parking fee.

Nevada Beach

Nevada Beach is a long, wide sandy beach with several picnic tables that are accessible via a paved sidewalk. The beach is 5 miles north of South Lake Tahoe. Take Highway 50 north from the Stateline area, then turn left onto Elks Point Road. The entrance is 1 mile from the intersection. There is a parking fee.

Trails

Taylor Creek Visitor Center Nature Trails

• The Rainbow Trail is a 1/2 mile paved loop that winds from the Visitor Center through the meadow to Taylor Creek and the Stream Profile Chamber.

The following three trails could be classified as "easy walking" as they are level, well-packed dirt trails.

• The Tallac Historic Site Trail is a level, dirt trail that connects the natural history interpretive area at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center with the cultural history interpretive areas of the Tallac Historic Site.
• The Lake of the Sky Trail leads from the Visitor Center to the sandy beach at the edge of Lake Tahoe; it is a level, dirt trail.
• Smokey's Trail is a short dirt trail near the Taylor Creek Visitor Center. This trail is especially good for children.

Tahoe Meadows

This 1.3-mile interpretive trail begins at the edge of a lush alpine meadow, leading you over wooden footbridges and along a well-marked and level trail, making a circle of the meadow and bringing you back to the beginning point. The many informative signs make this a great hike for children and others new to outdoor experiences in the high desert mountains. There are plenty of places to rest and this trail is ideal for those challenged by access. Parking can be busy on weekends.

Tahoe Meadows, which is a section of the Tahoe Rim Trail, is located 1/2 mile southwest of Mt. Rose Summit on Highway 431. Paved parking, vault toilets. Trail begins at lower parking lot. The trail is open by mid-July until the first snowfall in the fall (usually October). Bikes and horses are not allowed; this interpretive trail is designed to be a safe, comfortable experience for people of all ages and abilities. Visit the Tahoe Rim Trail - Trail Maps web page for more information.

Lam Watah

The Lam Watah Trail is a 2-mile roundtrip compacted dirt trial to Nevada Beach with a boardwalk over Burke Creek. It is located just east of the southern Stateline area on Kahle Drive.

Campgrounds

There are many campgrounds around the lake; some are universally accessible, and others have individual sites that are level and have packed dirt surfaces; please call managers of individual campgrounds for specific information. Visit the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Camping Guide for contact information.

Fishing Sites

Valhalla Pier

Valhalla Pier is accessible for fishing and is located at the Tallac Historic Site on Hwy 89, 3 miles north of South Lake Tahoe.

Carson River

The Carson River accessible fishing site is a multi-agency site with a paved 1/4 mile walk along the river and an accessible pier. The multi-agency site is located south of the Lake Tahoe Basin in Hope Valley at Pickett's Junction (Hwys 89 & 88).

Interagency Access Pass

The Interagency Access Pass is a free pass available to citizens and permanent residents of the United States who are blind or have a permanent disability. They are available at most national forest or grassland offices. Visit the Forest Service Interagency Pass home page for more information.

Benefits of the Interagency Access Pass:

• Honored nationwide at all Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Fish & Wildlife Service sites charging entrance or standard amenity fees.
• Valid for pass holder's lifetime.
• Admits pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle.
• At per person fee areas, admits pass holder and up to three persons. Persons 15 and younger are admitted free of charge.
• 50% discount on some expanded amenity fees like campgrounds (does not include hookups for water/sewer/electricity), highly developed boat launches and swimming sites and specialized interpretive services.

State Discount Passes

Fishing Licenses

Fishing is permitted anywhere on Lake Tahoe with either a California or Nevada fishing license.

The California Department of Fish and Game offers free fishing licenses to eligible persons who are permanently disabled. Proof of eligibility is required. Visit the State of California - Sport Fishing Regulations web page for more information.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife offers a reduced-rate fishing license to those persons who have a severe physical disability. Proof of eligibility is required. Visit the Nevada Department of Wildlife - Fish Nevada web page for more information.

California Park Use Discount Pass

Permanently disabled persons may purchase a discount card for $3.50 from the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The pass provides year-round 50% discount for use of all basic facilities (including parking and camping) in State-operated parks except Hearst San Simeon State Historic Monument. Visit the California State Parks pass information web page for more information.

Other Resources

The following organizations provide information for residents and visitors regarding accessible facilities.

Tahoe Area Coordinating Council for the Disabled: www.tahoeareacoordinatingcouncilforthedisabled.com

Blue Go public transportation in South Tahoe area:
www.bluego.org/generalinfo.html

Tahoe Area Regional Transit (North Tahoe):
www.placer.ca.gov/Works/Transit/TART.aspx

Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Bureau:
www.visitrenotahoe.com/plan_your_trip/access/

Access Northern California:
www.accessnca.com/lake_tahoe/

Accessible features in California State Parks:
access.parks.ca.gov/home.asp

National Center on Accessibility:
www.ncaonline.org

Disclaimer for External Links

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Agriculture of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. Unless otherwise specified, the Department does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department and the Forest Service web site. Please let us know about existing external links you believe are inappropriate and about specific additional external links you believe ought to be included.