The U.S. Forest Service’s Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is considering new recreation fees at several popular destinations around Lake Tahoe, including four sites that provide important access to the Tahoe Rim Trail and surrounding public lands.
Under the proposal:
- Big Meadow Trailhead would begin charging a $10 daily parking fee, increasing to $15 in the fifth year.
- Echo Lakes Trailhead would begin charging a $10 daily parking fee.
- Luther Pass Overflow Campground would begin charging $20 per campsite, per night.
- Watson Lake Campground would begin charging $20 per campsite, per night.
- Desolation Wilderness Overnight Permits would go up to $10 per person per night, increasing to $15 per person per night in the fifth year.
Big Meadow, Echoe Lakes Trailhead, Luther Pass Overflow Campground, and Watson Lake Campground are all currently free.
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association opposes these proposed fees, particularly the new parking fees at Big Meadow and Echo Lakes trailheads & the increased fees in Desolation Wilderness. We encourage everyone who values accessible public lands to submit a public comment before the deadline on September 29, 2026.
Public Lands Should Remain Accessible
We recognize the very real challenge of maintaining heavily used recreation sites with limited federal funding. Clean restrooms, maintained facilities, visitor education and responsible resource management all require reliable investments.
However, placing additional fees on individual trail users is not the right solution especially at trailheads that serve as gateways to some of the Tahoe Basin’s most treasured public lands.
Big Meadow is one of the primary access points to the Tahoe Rim Trail and Meiss Meadows. Echo Lakes provides access to the Tahoe Rim Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and Desolation Wilderness. These are not luxury recreation facilities. They are essential public access points used by local residents, families, day hikers, backpackers, volunteers and visitors from throughout the region.
A $10 or $15 parking charge may not affect every visitor equally, but it can become a meaningful barrier for families, lower-income residents, young people and anyone who recreates frequently. Outdoor access already comes with the costs of transportation, equipment, permits and other expenses. Adding another fee at the trailhead moves us further toward a system in which the ability to enjoy public lands depends on the ability to pay.
Parking fees may also encourage visitors to park along nearby roads or in undesignated areas rather than reduce demand, potentially creating additional congestion, safety concerns and impacts to surrounding resources.
Our Position
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association urges the Forest Service to:
- Keep parking at Big Meadow and Echo Lakes trailheads free.
- Maintain free camping at Luther Pass Overflow and Watson Lake campgrounds.
- Keep Desolation Wilderness Overnight Permits at the current rate of $5 per person per night
- Pursue federal appropriations, grants, partnerships and other funding strategies that do not create additional barriers to public-land access.
- Clearly demonstrate what new or improved services would be provided before considering any future fee proposal.
- Meaningfully incorporate public feedback before making a final decision.
Our public lands belong to everyone. Ensuring that they remain well maintained and protected is essential but so is ensuring that everyone can access them!
Take Action by September 29
The Forest Service is accepting public comments through the close of business on September 29, 2026. Comments can be submitted through the Forest Service’s online portal, by email or by mail.
Comments may also be emailed to:
SM.FS.R5.LTBMU.FeeProposal@usda.gov
Or mailed to:
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
Attention: Recreation Program Manager
35 College Drive
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Personal, site-specific comments are especially helpful. Tell the Forest Service:
- Which of these locations you use.
- How frequently you visit.
- Why free access matters to you or your family.
- How the proposed fees could affect your ability to recreate.
- What alternatives you would like the Forest Service to consider.
Sample Comment
I oppose the proposed new recreation fees at Big Meadow Trailhead, Echo Lakes Trailhead, Luther Pass Overflow Campground and Watson Lake Campground, as well as the fee increases in Desolation Wilderness. I am especially concerned about charging visitors simply to park at Big Meadow and Echo Lakes. These trailheads provide essential access to the Tahoe Rim Trail and other public lands and should remain available to everyone, regardless of income.
I understand that recreation sites require adequate funding and maintenance, but new user fees should not replace reliable federal investment in our public lands. Please pursue funding alternatives that do not create additional financial barriers for local residents, families and frequent trail users. I urge the Forest Service to remove these four sites from the fee proposal.
Public participation matters. Please take a few minutes to speak up, submit a comment and share this opportunity with others who care about keeping the Tahoe Rim Trail and our surrounding public lands accessible to all.
