South Lake Tahoe, Calif. – The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) is working to open many Forest Service-operated facilities and restore public services that had been suspended during the government shutdown, which ended October 17, 2013. “Realizing we’re near the end of our normal operating season in Lake Tahoe, we’re focusing our efforts on those sites that typically remain open for a few more weeks and are extremely popular with locals and visitors alike,” said Forest Supervisor Nancy Gibson. “We look forward to opening these and serving our local community once again.”

Most Forest Service facilities in the Lake Tahoe Basin normally close by the end of October. Sites that normally close in mid-October, such Pope, Baldwin and Nevada beaches and Fallen Leaf, Meeks, William Kent and Kaspian campgrounds, will remain closed. The LTBMU’s priority will be opening day-use recreation sites for the remainder of the season as soon as Forest Service staff can clean them and determine that they are safe for public use. This includes sites such as Eagle Falls, Glen Alpine and Big Meadow trailheads, the Sand Pit, Sawmill Pond, Echo Lakes, Logan Shoals Vista and Secret Harbor and Chimney beaches. The Taylor Creek Visitor Center parking lot and restrooms will open to serve visitors using nearby beaches or the trails, but the visitor center and the stream profile chamber will remain closed for the season. Watson Lake and Blackwood Canyon campgrounds will open, but Luther Pass Campground will remain closed. Camping opportunities continue to be available at Zephyr Cove Campground and Camp Richardson. Inspiration Point will open through mid-November.

The Forest Supervisor’s office has resumed its normal schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. The North Shore office may resume its normal Wednesday through Friday schedule as soon as Friday, October 18, 2013. For questions about the status of specific facilities, call the Forest Supervisor’s office at (530) 543-2694. During the next few days, the LTBMU will be working to determine the status of other projects, including those in the National Environmental Policy Act process.