Destination Stewardship Means we all Take Care of Tahoe

Originally published in the ‘TRPA eNews’ Newsletter

Lake Tahoe isn’t just a destination—it’s a shared ecosystem we all depend on. Through the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan, regional partners—including public agencies, Tribal leaders, destination management organizations, and nonprofits—have united under a shared vision to balance recreation with the long‑term health of the Tahoe Basin.

Set the example this summer. Enjoy Tahoe while reducing your impact. Plan ahead for seasonal updates around the Basin and be part of regional solutions: Take transit, bike instead of driving, and always pack out your trash.

Here are a few ways #TeamTahoe partners are making it easier to reduce our collective footprint this summer:

Reducing the Need for Cars at the Lake

South Shore
Beginning July 15, the Emerald Bay Shuttle Pilot Program will offer a safer, more sustainable way to reach one of Tahoe’s most treasured destinations. A collaboration of TRPA, League to Save Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Fund, Caltrans, Tahoe Transportation District, and El Dorado County, the low-cost shuttle service will operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until October 15, 2025.

North Shore
Tahoe-Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) offers free daily buses connecting everything from West Shore to Truckee and Incline Village. Plus, on-demand microtransit via TART Connect. A new park and ridebetween Northstar and Kings Beach will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours Friday until 10 p.m. through August 31, 2025. 

East Shore
The East Shore Express offers free continuous loop service from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., connecting Incline Village to Sand Harbor State Park. Sand Harbor’s new reservation system makes transit a great option.

In combination with strategies to reduce roadside parking this summer, these options lower congestion while improving safety and protecting Lake Tahoe’s clarity.

Cleaner Beaches

Last summer, Zephyr Cove Resort and Shoals saw a 97 percent reduction in litter after the Fourth of July compared to the previous year—thanks to targeted improvements through the Tahoe Blue Beach program.

What worked? Better waste infrastructure, a stronger stewardship message for visitors, bans on single-use plastics, and the deployment of beach-cleaning robots.

Building on that success, the program has expanded to include Kings Beach, Camp Richardson Resort, and Meeks Bay Resort. These Tahoe Blue Beaches are implementing environmentally friendly beach management throughout Tahoe’s high season, focusing on education, infrastructure, and enforcement.

Coordinated action leads to real results, and while many partners prepare to collect litter on the shoreline and even beneath the surface of the lake, you’re invited to join in.