Andy Barron / AP
A man wets his feet in the cool water of Lake Tahoe at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park in Incline Village, Nev., Monday, July 17, 2023. Tourism officials at Lake Tahoe were surprised, and a bit standoffish, when a respected international travel guide included the iconic alpine lake straddling the California line on a list of places to stay away from this year because of the harmful ecological effects of “over-tourism.”
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 | 2 a.m.
If you’re heading to Lake Tahoe to celebrate the Fourth of July, you might want to leave the beer and booze at home.
The U.S. Forest Service has banned alcohol at a number of Tahoe-area beaches during the Independence Day holiday to “promote public safety,” the agency’s Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit said in a news release.
“It is essential that Tahoe visitors and residents alike take care of this spectacular place to protect Tahoe’s environment and improve the Tahoe experience for all,” the Forest Service said.
Alcohol banned at Lake Tahoe beaches for Fourth of July
Alcohol use is banned at Nevada Beach and Zephyr Cove Resort, including the Zephyr Shoals area, on Thursday, July 4, the Forest Service said.
An alcohol prohibition will be in effect at Chamber’s Landing Beach from Wednesday through Sunday.
“To ensure compliance, these areas will be patrolled by law enforcement personnel from the Forest Service, state and local law enforcement, and private security staff,” the agency said.
What about fireworks? Camping fires?
It’s illegal to set off fireworks in the Tahoe Basin because they “pose a significant wildfire danger to local communities and forests,” the Forest Service said.
“Be kind to our forests by leaving personal use fireworks at home and attending one of the professional displays over Lake Tahoe instead,” the agency said.
Lake Tahoe’s Lights on the Lake Fireworks display is on Thursday.
National forest lands in the Tahoe Basin are under fire restrictions all year long, the Forest Service said.
Wood and charcoal fires are only permitted in open, designated campgrounds with permanent metal campfire rings and barbecue grills, the agency said, with portable stoves are largely allowed in other areas with valid permits.
What else do visitors need to know before traveling to Tahoe?
The Forest Service provided several tips for visitors to the Tahoe area ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
These include reserving campsites before traveling to Lake Tahoe and arriving early to parking areas at beaches, trails and picnic areas.
Travelers can use public transportation, or walk, carpool or bike to avoid crowds and traffic delays.
“Have a ‘Plan B’ in mind in case parking areas are full and use this opportunity to explore locations,” the agency said.
Beaches may appear smaller or narrower compared to previous years because of high water levels, according to the Forest Service.
“Due to back-to-back wet winters, Lake Tahoe is approaching its maximum limit,” the Forest Service said.
Additionally, some beaches with vegetation or rocky shorelines may be inaccessible.
Waterways such as rivers and streams are flowing “high, swift and cold,” the Forest Service said.
“Never swim alone, always wear approved life jackets, keep a close eye on children and pets, and avoid strong currents,” the agency said. “Wearing a life jacket even if you’re a strong swimmer significantly increases your chance of survival.”
The Forest Service also urges people to pick up their trash and avoid approaching or feeding bears and other wild animals.
