Many campgrounds and recreation sites within the Tahoe National Forest will be open for Memorial Day, however snow is expected to keep some of the more popular sites closed until early or mid-June.

“Our recreation crews and campground concessionaires have been working hard to get the campgrounds ready for the Memorial Day weekend,” Tom Quinn, forest supervisor, said in a statement. “The heavy snow and rain received this past winter and spring has delayed the opening of many campgrounds, roads, picnic areas and trails. Considerable snow can still be found at 6,000 feet and above, especially on north facing slopes or in shaded areas.”

Mosquito Ridge Road east of Foresthill in May at about the 6,000 feet. Photo/Provided

The following status report of campgrounds, roads and trails is listed by major transportation corridor or area.

Bullards Bar Reservoir – Yuba County

All campgrounds, picnic areas, boat ramps and trails are open.

Highway 49 – Sierra County

Most all campgrounds, picnic areas and trails in the lower elevations are open or will be by Memorial Day including those along the North Yuba River. These include Indian Valley, Ramshorn, Rocky Rest, Carlton, Cal-Ida, Fiddle Creek, Union Flat, Loganville, and Wild Plum. Fiddle Creek Ridge and Halls Ranch Trails are open.

In the higher elevations, Yuba Pass, Sierra, and Chapman Campgrounds are still closed and expected to be closed over Memorial Day due to snow levels.

Cal Ida Road – open for 8 miles from Highway 49. The 25 Road is open for 8 miles and the 35 Road for 6 miles.

Sierra Buttes area – Sierra County

Gold Lakes Road is open from intersection with Highway 49 for 3 miles. Sardine and Salmon Campgrounds will be open for Memorial Day. Sardine Lake is still frozen in spots. Sand Pond trail is open with some snow drifts. Packer Lake Road is open to Packer Lake.

Highway 89 North – Sierra and Nevada counties

Most all the campgrounds are open including Cottonwood, Cold Creek, and Upper and Lower Little Truckee.

Jackson Meadows Area – Sierra County

The road has been plowed to Webber Lake – 8 miles from Highway 89. No camping at Jackson Meadows expected for Memorial Day weekend. Snowmobiling continues however from Webber Lake.

Reservoirs East of Truckee – Nevada County

Most of the sites are open around Boca and Stampede reservoirs. At Prosser, Lakeside and Prosser Group Camp are open, however, campers need to boil the water as the water system has not been certified for drinking. Prosser Family Campground is not open.

The Commemorative Overland Emigrant Trail is open and is a nice trail for mountain bikes or hiking.

Highway 89 South – Placer County

Granite Flat and half of Goose Meadows Campgrounds are open.

Interstate 80 – Nevada and Placer counties

The Pacific Crest Trail and other trails along the Sierra crest are still very snowy.

Campgrounds including Hampshire Rocks, Indian Springs, North Fork, Tunnel Mills and Onion Valley are all closed due to snow.

Rattlesnake Road is closed due to snow. Loch Leven trails are very snowy.

Big Bend Visitor Center is expected to open for the Memorial Day weekend.

Highway 20 – Nevada County

White Cloud and Skillman Campgrounds are open. The Pioneer Trail is open from Bear Valley to the west. The Burlington Motorcycle Trails are open from Chalk Bluff Staging Area to the west. hose trails to the east are still blocked by snow. Rock Creek Nature Trail is open.

Bowman Lake Road – Nevada County

The road has been plowed almost to the Grouse Ridge Road turnoff. Fuller Lake is accessible.

Foresthill Area – Placer County

Sugar Pine Reservoir campgrounds and picnic areas are open. Big Reservoir campground (Morning Star) will be open for Memorial Day weekend. The Sugar Pine OHV Trail – Loops 1,2,3, 4, and 7 will be open May 24. Loops 5 and 6 have considerable downed trees/branches and snow -– check the website for current status.

Mumford Bar Trailhead is accessible, but the trail does have some snow.

Mosquito Ridge Road is open to the French Meadows Dam, but access to the campgrounds is blocked due to snow. Drivers are urged to drive carefully as the road is narrow due to snow banks on either side. Placer Big Trees are not accessible. Robinson Flat Campground is not expected to be open until later in June due to snow.

River Caution

Rivers are running fast, cold and high. Caution should be taken near the water –- especially with children and pets.

For more information, see the Tahoe National Forest website or call one of the Ranger Stations listed below:

Tahoe National Forest Headquarters – in Nevada City (530) 265.4531.

American River Ranger District – in Foresthill (530) 367.2224.

Sierraville Ranger District – in Sierraville (530) 994.3401.

Truckee Ranger District – in Truckee (530) 587.3558

Yuba River Ranger District – in Camptonville (530) 288.3231.