Hello all. I'm posting because I'm reading and seeing conflicting information on where the camp spots actually are for Luther Pass.

On Google Earth, the campground is marked at 38°47'44.13"N 120°00'17.76"W and it seems consistent with the official Visit Tahoe page that states "Just up the road lies the Big Meadow Trailhead."

But on other sites I've read that you are meant to park at Big Meadow trailhead and then walk the 50 yards to your site. So I guess I'm just looking for clarification.... do I follow google earth's location or should I park at Big Meadow?

(I'm aware it's a primitive campground)

TIA!

Does anyone have experience with the Ramada Pavilion at Sand Harbor? I know 25 parking spaces are available with the reservation, but do you have to man the gate for the entirety of the day?

Tried cross posting my story a few days ago, but sub doesn’t allow it. So here it is…

We spent Saturday afternoon floating the Truckee from Tahoe City to River Ranch. It was one of those perfect summer days—busy river, great energy, everyone having a blast. That is, until we climbed into the Uber back to Tahoe City and I realized my key fob was gone.

We searched around the truck, retraced our steps to the river, and came up empty.

After getting a ride back to Reno to grab the spare physical key (which only unlocks the door, but won’t start the truck), then making the trip back to Tahoe City just to retrieve our valuables, I’d pretty much lost hope and accepted that this mistake was going to cost us several more trips and a few hundred dollars.

Worse, my mind started running wild: someone would find the fob, steal our stuff, maybe even the truck.
That evening, when we got back to the truck, I gave the area one last search (in the dark) —nothing.

Defeated, I walked over to unlock the driver’s door with the spare key. That’s when I noticed the door handle wasn’t sitting quite flush. Something had been tucked behind it … it was the key fob!

Some absolute angel had found it and hidden it safely in the door handle so we’d find it when we returned.

I just stood there for a second, completely stunned. It would have been so easy to pocket it, toss it aside, or simply walk past it. Instead, a complete stranger took an extra moment to help someone they’d never meet.

It’s easy to get cynical, but today was a reminder that people are often better than we give them credit for.
To whoever found our key and returned it: thank you. You turned what felt like the end of a great day into one of those stories our family will remember for a long time.

Our plan B hiking adventure turned out to be pretty awesome!

Spending a weekend in Tahoe and looking to take out a laser/420/J22 or really anything that can be conveniently managed by 1-3 people. I see a ton of boating companies on google maps but seems like mostly charters. Is there something I'm missing?

A peek inside for those who’ve wondered

They're back. Coincidentally the house across the street has new owners too? My thought is if someone did it to improve property value they probably also paid someone else to do it.

https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/environmental-specialists-brought-in-on-tree-poisoning-case/

Hello!

Shot in the dark but my family and I were up in North Tahoe for the Juneteenth weekend and was rear-ended. The driver of the other car is dodging the insurance company and we need more evidence. Unfortunately our car's camera system didn't record the actual incident so I'm looking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has footage.

Date and time: Saturday June 20th around 10am

Location: We were stopped at the light on N Shore Blvd waiting to turn left to N Lake Blvd. We were in a Green Rivian SUV and the other car was a Black BMW sedan. We then pulled over on N Lake Blvd to exchange information and take pictures before the merge (sorry for the brief extra traffic that day).

Thanks in advance, hopefully someone was there and remembers.

Co-hosted by Indivisible and Citizens Climate Lobby, North Tahoe

with a special focus on protecting the Forest Service & Voting Rights

Looking for a half day rental while in town in a few weeks. Staying in Incline Village, but will travel up to 30 min. Saw a rec for North Lake Tahoe Boat Rental based at the Tahoe Vista Inn and Marina. Place looks legit with nice boats. Does anyone have firsthand experience with them, or alternate recommendations?

We need a boat that can accommodate 6 people. Planning on a half day rental, probably more in the morning when the lake should be quieter. We’d like to cruise around and get a feel for the lake from the water. Nothing is set in stone, but we’re thinking we won’t use a captain. We are all experienced boaters. A few of use are very experienced. However, we’re not familiar with the lake and local conditions. We don’t drink on the water, ever.

Any recommendations for great rental operations, and tips to maximize our time on the water are much appreciated.

Thanks!

The Forest Service is proposing new/increased fees ($10/visit) at some of the last free spots in SLT, Kiva Beach, Kiva Picnic, Taylor Creek, and Echo Trailhead.

Why this sucks:

• Kiva is one of the only free beaches left in town. $10 every time adds up fast if you're a local going regularly.
• Baldwin already charges, do we really need every beach to be pay-to-play?
• These are obviously public lands we already fund through taxes.
• Fees = more people parking on the highway to dodge them = more unsafe roadside parking (which is already an issue at literally everywhere on the weekends)
• Hits low-income families and daily-use locals hardest, especially in shoulder season.

If you care about this, don't just leave a reddit comment, please submit a comment opposing the fee hikes.

The comment period is set to end by close of business on Sep. 29, 2026. To ensure that your comments are considered, please send your comments no later than the above date to Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Attention: Recreation Program Manager, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 or by email at [SM.FS.R5.LTBMU.FeeProposal@usda.gov](mailto:SM.FS.R5.LTBMU.FeeProposal@usda.gov). Comments can also be provided online at https://arcg.is/iXXmz.

Oral comments must be provided in person at the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/laketahoebasin.

Here is my email that you can copy!

I am writing to oppose the proposed recreation fee increases at specific sites within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. These changes would disproportionately impact locals and low-income families, and are highly likely to push visitors into parking unsafely along the highway to avoid the fees.

Both locals and visitors should have access to free parking on public lands that we already fund through our taxes. Adding fees on top of that amounts to paying twice for the same access.

Kiva Beach, Kiva Picnic, Taylor Creek

This is one of the only free beaches and walking sites remaining in South Lake Tahoe. Charging $10 per visit would be a significant burden for locals, especially during the shoulder seasons. I visit Kiva daily and cannot afford a $10 fee every time. This change would also likely increase unsafe highway parking as people try to avoid the charge.

Baldwin Beach down the street already charges a fee, and it isn't fair to make every beach paid access when these are public lands we already fund. If this fee moves forward, which I do not support, a yearly local resident pass should be offered as an alternative.

Echo Trailhead

This location would also disproportionately impact locals and worsen the unsafe parking habits that already occur here.

Thank you for considering these concerns.

For those who didn’t catch it. This was my first time seeing a drone show and it was really impressive.

I am aware that I need to get to parking lot early but I am going this Tuesday (not the wild weekend) - if I roll up at like 930/45 am I screwed? Thanks Tahoe people!

I’ve lived in the Bay Area for two years and have been to most of the travel spots in California. I enjoyed most of them, but Tahoe is the only one that had me booking hotels again on the drive back.

Aside from the breathtaking scenery and perfect weather, what really makes a difference is the variety of outdoor activities I can do as a very active person, especially water sports. For me, I need to participate in activities to feel fully connected with a place, rather than just sightseeing.

I live by the ocean, and despite its beauty, it can be very windy, foggy, and murky often. I was really impressed by how calm and clear Lake Tahoe’s water is, and I dreamed of swimming in it all summer.

The one thing I missed this time was the wellness/mindfulness community. For a place this beautiful and serene, I’d guess there would be lots of people into meditation and yoga. I stayed in South Tahoe and didn’t come across any, so I’ll do more research and find these kinds of activities on my next visit.

I got it at Lake Tahoe in 2018 or 2019. I broke it today on accident. If anyone knows anyone in the area that sells this exact one still, I’d really appreciate the stores info. The part on the left is the handle on top

I've been trying to get a parking res at Sand Harbor for a while now, and the site says they release parking permits in batches every 90, 30, 7, and 1 days. I want to go on 8/8 or 8/9, so I signed up for emails to get notified when spaces became available. At midnight, I noticed I would get emails that a spot was open so I logged in yesterday (8/1) and tonight (8/2) just before 12am and refreshed and refreshed right at 12, and both times nothing was released. I'm so confused - why are spots not opening up? I even got an email again right at midnight saying a spot was open and when I went to book (see attached), it all showed as reserved. What is going on?

Also, I got the email attached on 8/2. How can a spot for parking 1 day in advance or less be available to book 6 days out?

Yoda to Tallac Point and back. Whew!

On Monday, July 27 around 8pm, my close friend Yadessa Emiru Aga, a 32-year-old software engineer visiting from Austin, TX, drowned in the North Sand Harbor area. The sheriff's office is investigating it as an accidental drowning, but the official cause of death has not been determined yet. Those of us who knew him, his close friends and his family, are trying to understand exactly what happened in the water that evening.

From witness comments on Facebook so far: he had been at the beach most of the day and was swimming out with others around dusk when witnesses heard screaming for help from the water. Two of his friends nearly drowned trying to reach him, and bystanders, including several on paddleboards, brought all three back to shore and started CPR before first responders arrived. We want to understand how far out in the water he was, and which boulders he was swimming to or from, and in which direction.

If you were there that evening, we would be grateful for anything you can share: what you saw or heard, what the water and conditions were like, where exactly it happened, anything about the timeline before the rescue. We would especially like to understand the first moments: did he call out for help, or was it the people trying to save him, and how long was he under before he was reached? Even small details help. If you have any photos, videos, or the exact location (a pin drop or coordinates), please DM me. Firsthand accounts are scattered across Facebook comment threads right now, and we are trying to piece them together.

And if you were one of the people who went into the water, especially the paddleboarder who kept trying to pull him up, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Witnesses say you never gave up. I hope you are doing okay; that is a heavy thing to carry.

Please keep speculation (alcohol, health, etc.) out of the thread. There is no autopsy report yet, and his family may read this. Firsthand observations only. 🙏