The North Tahoe Regional Park (view the map here) is located one mile west of Highway 267 and one mile north of Highway 28 in Tahoe Vista.  The Regional Park encompasses 124 acres of predominantly active recreational activities.  Surrounding the Regional Park on three sides are accessible public lands offering users a more passive recreational experience.  Found within the Regional Park are five night-lighted tennis courts, several athletic fields, basketball, handball and sand volleyball courts and a disc golf course.  Volunteers have been working on the disc golf course.  Click here to see a copy of the disc golf course  map.  Residents have also created their own website to keep disc golfers up to date on other disc golf activities in the area.  That website is www.northtahoediscgolf.org Hiking trails wind throughout the Regional Park and include and 18 station fitness par course and a self-guided nature trail and a paved bike path for access to National Forest land or Highway 267.  All of these trails meander through pine and fir forests with trailheads situated on the Regional Park’s main road.  Also adjacent are a number of picnic sites tucked away under the canopy of mature conifers.  For larger gatherings, the covered picnic Ramada seats 100 and provides excellent views of the lake.  Conveniently located next to the Ramada is a children’s playground. 

There is no charge for use of the North Tahoe Regional Park however a parking fee of $3 applies.  There is no charge for those with a North Tahoe Resident's Benefit Access Card. 

While casual snow activity throughout the Park is encouraged the most popular destination is the snow play area.  With captivating views and groomed hills, this facility has been a favorite of sledders for decades.  North Tahoe Winter Adventures (530-546-0405) rents sled and tickets for snowplay.  There office is located across from the upper level restrooms near the main parking lot.  Snowmobiles are also available for rent from the folks at North Tahoe Winter Adventures. 

For those interested in a quieter, more peaceful way to explore the winter wonderland, cross-country skiers and snowshoers can explore the groomed trails throughout the Park and surrounding public lands.  Those interested in current grooming conditions can call 530-546-5043 to find out when the trails were most recently groomed.  From the Regional Park, one can make a moderate descent to Kings Beach or view some of the most majestic Incense Cedars on the North Shore.  Our friendly grooming staff requests that snowshoers please stay off the tracks laid in for cross country skiers.  Also, while pets are welcome to walk their owners or take their owners skiing or snowshoeing within the Park, please keep the owners leashed and make sure that they pick up after you.  Skiers prefer wax appropriate for the weather conditions, not the kind left by pet owners.  Please be considerate!

Grooming of the trails - At this point there is no set schedule for grooming the trails at the Park.  Snow conditions, available personnel, temperature and requests for grooming from the Concessionaire at the sled hill are all factors that determine when the groomer is in operation.  At a minimum, our groomer operator attempts to prepare the trails before the weekend (Friday evening) and repair after the weekend (Monday morning) but this is not always possible if the snow depth and temperatures are not conducive to grooming. 

The park hosts a number of organizations throughout the year to expose children to nature.  The Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe puts on various activities as part of their summer camp.  The Mother Nature Children’s Garden coordinates the community garden and runs programs throughout the summer for small children and their parents.  The Thomas Llewelyn Scouting Area provides scouts with year-round activities.  Many Scout Groups utilize the area to learn about winter camping and winter survival.

The Regional Park also provides an opportunity to remember friends and family members through the donation of a tree, bench, picnic table or other park appropriate furnishing.  Please contact the District at 530-546-4212 for more information. 

Pets are allowed in the Regional Park and on the trails, however they are prohibited on all athletic fields.  Owners must pick up after their pets to ensure enjoyment for all park users.  All dogs must be leashed.  Responsible pet owners will make it possible for your pets to continue to enjoy the park in the years to come!

FOCUS ON THE REGIONAL PARK INTERPRETIVE NATURE TRAIL

Interpreted along this ¾ mile trail are Sierra native flora, common forest systems and key points of interest. 

Sierra forests contain some of the most beautiful flora found anywhere.  Dominated by conifers (cone bearing trees), the Sierra forests contain some of the largest, tallest and oldest trees in the world.  Their variety, combination and multitudes are seldom matched.

Situated in the “Canadian life zone,” the park offers a well represented example of a typical Sierra forest.  During the development of the interpretive trail, focus was specific to native flora, emphasizing common factors affecting Sierra ecosystems.

While walking the nature trail, you may observe the difference between a Jeffrey Pine and a Ponderosa Pine.  You will pass a Burnt Cedar stump from fires long past.  You will walk through a ghost forest where displays interpret the ecosystem.  You will learn what squirrels, birds and bears like to eat.  You may even see a red-tailed hawk, Chickadee or Stellar Jay.  You may learn how Native Americans used the Sierra plants for food.  Illustrations will show you how soil is formed, why plants grow the way they grow and how the lumber industry has affected this area.

This trail was developed and constructed by the North Tahoe Parks Department.

NORTH TAHOE REGIONAL PARK FACILITIES

See below for rental fees and information for these facilities.

RAMADA

The Ramada is a covered picnic area that seats 100 and provides excellent views of the Lake.  It is adjacent to the children’s playground making it a great venue for family gatherings.  The Ramada is used for family reunions, rehearsal dinners and other large group gatherings.  Amenities include a BBQ and picnic area, running water and electricity. 

BALLFIELDS AND THE GRASSY FIELD

The District maintains 2 fields as softball fields, 1 baseball field and a grassy field which is used for soccer, football and a variety of other uses.  The ballfields and the grassy field area available for rent.

SOCCER FIELD

The all weather artificial turf soccer field was completed in the summer of 2007.  The field was built thanks to grants from California State Parks, Placer County and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. 

This great new amenity is available for rental by those wishing to run leagues or camps or on a first come, first served basis for pick up games.  The field will also be used by AYSO during the fall leagues for youth. 

The field is artificial turf which means it will be ready to play as soon as the snow melts.  The field is lined for full field play and for cross field play, allowing two "short" field games to be going on at one time. 

Due to health concerns, animals are not permitted on the field. 

THOMAS LLEWELYN SCOUT AREA

The Scout area is available for rent to Boy and Girl Scout troops during the summer and winter months.  It features camping and fire rings.  A log structure is currently under construction.  District resident Eric Rienstra organized a clean up project for the Scout Area as part of his Eagle Scout project in Spring 2004.

TENNIS COURTS

The tennis courts are available for rent or on a first come-first served basis. 

The District currently has no one under contract to run the tennis program at the North Tahoe Regional Park Tennis Courts.  However, look for information in Spring 2009 for a new tennis program as the District will be going out to bid for a new concessionaire in the fall of 2008 or winter of 2009. 

RENTAL INFORMATION

Many of the amenities in the Regional Park are available for rent by District residents and the public.  Click here to see the District's rental rates.  Please note that while we attempt to keep the website current, rates are subject to change.