Lake Tahoe considers jacking up fees as visitors flood in

Lake Tahoe is seeing so many visitors that fees could be hiked for everything from parking to hiking — inadvertently affecting the locals who are already struggling with the area’s high cost of living.

The US Forest Service is proposing new or increased recreation fees at roughly 40 destinations across the Lake Tahoe region, including Emerald Bay, Echo Summit, Desolation Wilderness and Kiva Beach.

Visitors take pictures from the observation deck at Heavenly Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe, California. — Visitors take pictures from the observation deck at Heavenly Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe. Getty Images

Lake Tahoe with a small island in the middle of a cove. — Several locations that are currently free may end up becoming paid destinations, while some existing fees could increase over the next five years. Getty Images

Public comment on the proposals is open until late September.

Several locations that are currently free may end up becoming paid destinations, while some existing fees could increase over the next five years.

For example, Kiva Beach may end up adding a $15 vehicle fee while parking is currently free. The existing $5 fee for the Eagle Falls Picnic Area and Trailhead may end up jumping to $15, as well. Most fee increases at other sites would reach $15 to $20 under the proposal.

The majority of the increased revenue from the fees would help the Forest Service maintain recreation sites, it said on its website. The money could help fund seasonal staffers, repave a parking lot and pay for other operational expenses.

The area around Lake Tahoe “is experiencing increases in visitation and operating costs,” a spokesperson told the San Francisco Chronicle.

Around 15 million people each year, the majority of them from California, visit the Lake Tahoe Basin, according to past estimates.

A fisherman powers his boat along Echo Lake near South Lake Tahoe, California. — Around 15 million people each year, the majority of them from California, visit the Lake Tahoe Basin. Getty Images

Female hiker on the sandy shore of Kiva Beach in Lake Tahoe, California. — A hiker is seen on the sandy shore of Kiva Beach in Lake Tahoe. Getty Images

But the potential for new fees is angering locals.

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association, a nonprofit that advocates for preservation of the trails in the area, argues that the fees could limit public access to public lands. Other funding sources, like federal grants and partnerships, should be pursued instead, it said.

Locals from the area say they may see their own access limited, too.

“This would be an extra strain on the regular, everyday people and retired people who live here,” Denise Upton told the Chronicle.

Some are optimistic that the higher parking fees could help ease congestion in the area, but there are fears it may instead shift parking away to nearby roads or other illegal parking areas.

The Forest Service has recommended that visitors carpool to popular trails where vehicle fees may apply.

After public comment ends, recreation fee changes will be reviewed by a citizen’s advisory committee, the Forest Service said. The committee will then submit their recommendation to the Regional Forester for a final decision.