Boat Ramps At Lake Tahoe: Open For Business?

Lake Tahoe is a popular destination for boating and water recreation. There are several boat ramps and marinas located around the lake that offer access to the water for motorized and non-motorized vessels. However, not all boat ramps are open year-round, and some may be subject to seasonal closures or changes in operating hours. It's important to check the status of boat ramps before planning a trip to Lake Tahoe, as well as to ensure that your vessel meets the necessary requirements, such as having a valid inspection seal.

El Dorado Beach Boat Ramp

The El Dorado Beach Boat Ramp is located in the heart of South Lake Tahoe, at 1004 Lakeview Avenue (between Rufus Allen and Lakeview off Highway 50). It is the largest beach area in South Lake Tahoe, offering the perfect location to enjoy a day on the lake. The boat launch provides affordable ramp access to the lake, as well as free trailer parking for boat ramp users. There are 38 boat trailer parking spaces, with 2 handicapped spaces. Overnight parking is prohibited.

The boat ramp is open seasonally, depending on accessibility and the lake's water level. The beach itself is open year-round, although amenities such as the concession stand and restrooms are closed during the winter months. For the 2024 season, the boat ramp was closed.

For motorized boats to access the lake from this boat ramp, they must have an intact wire inspection seal from previous seasons or have been inspected and sealed by a valid inspection station. Boat inspections are not provided at this location. Non-motorized boats can access the lake from the boat ramp provided they are cleaned, drained, and dry, and can receive a free inspection at any motorized inspection station.

The boat launch fees are as follows:

• $17 for a day-use launch
• $138 for a season pass launch
• $45 for a Tahoe-only annual sticker, which includes a $12 Aquatic Invasive Species Shoreline Fee and the TRPA Mandatory Fee

El Dorado Beach, just east of the ramp, provides an excellent spot for swimming, sunbathing, and watching the sunset over Mt. Tallac. It is also a good place to launch a canoe or kayak. The upper portion of the park includes picnic tables, BBQ grills, and grassy areas for lounging.

Tahoe Forest Boat Ramp

The Lake Forest Boat Ramp and Campground is located 1.5 miles east of Tahoe City, off Highway 28 on Lake Forest Road at 2500 Lake Forest Rd., Tahoe City, CA 96145. It is open year-round with seasonal changes in hours of operation. The boat ramp is very busy at times during the summer boating season, so it is recommended that you prepare before you launch and practice good etiquette to ensure a quick and efficient launch.

The facility offers limited day-use parking and restrooms. There is also a picnic area, playground, and small beach area at the adjacent Tahoe State Recreation Area (Pomin Park). Parking is very limited, with 32 regular boat parking spaces, 1 ADA boat parking space, and 4 spaces for prepping. No overnight parking is allowed.

The Lake Forest Boat Ramp is subject to mandatory motorized watercraft inspections per TRPA. All motorized watercraft must receive a TRPA Boat Inspection prior to launching. If your boat is not sealed, you will not be allowed to launch. Inspections are available from January 2 to April 30.

The boat ramp is closed for the following holidays: Martin Luther King Jr Day, Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday), and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Tahoe Vista Recreation Area Boat Ramp

The Tahoe Vista Recreation Area Boat Ramp is located on a 2.7-acre lakeshore property with 800 feet of shoreline. It is part of the Lake Tahoe Water Trail and offers shaded picnic tables, a roped swim area, restrooms, and a boat launch. The site also has a parking lot with 20 boat trailer parking spaces and 40 auto parking spaces. The boat ramp is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. all week, and launching a vessel costs $17 per launch. The Tahoe Vista Recreation Area is open from dusk to dawn daily during the winter, and the boat ramp is closed for the winter.

The recreation area received the Tahoe Regional Planning Agencies' Best of the Basin Award in 2006. It includes lake access recreation, a sheltered boat-launching facility, picnic facilities, restroom facilities, sidewalks, and a large plaza area with interpretive signage. The plaza is available for rent for weddings, parties, and other events.

The recreation area is located at the corner of Highway 28 and National Avenue in Tahoe Vista, California. It is accessible via a paved walking/bike trail from the North Tahoe Regional Park, which offers additional amenities such as ball fields, disc golf, tennis courts, hiking and biking trails, a dog park, and a children's playground.

It is important to note that all boats must be inspected before launching at the Tahoe Vista Boat Ramp. The boat ramp is open only to motorized vessels that have received a TRPA Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) inspection prior to launch. Inspections are not available at the ramp itself, so boat owners must visit an off-site inspection station.

Boat Inspection Requirements

All boats entering Lake Tahoe are required to undergo a boat inspection. This includes both motorized and non-motorized watercraft. Motorized boats must have a valid inspection seal before launching, while non-motorized boats must be clean, drained, and dry.

The Tahoe Boat Inspections Program manages the inspection process, and boats can be inspected at various locations around the lake. It is important to note that not all boat launch facilities offer on-site inspections, so boat operators must ensure their vessels have been inspected and sealed before arriving at the ramp.

The Tahoe Boat Inspections website provides detailed information on inspection locations and hours. Additionally, the Tahoe Boating App is a valuable resource for boaters, offering interactive information about no-wake zones, aquatic invasive species infestations, points of interest, and more.

Boat launch facilities, such as the Lake Forest Boat Ramp, may have specific requirements and guidelines for boaters to follow. It is essential to review and abide by these rules to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Some facilities may also require launch passes or stickers, which must be purchased or obtained in advance.

By following the proper boat inspection requirements and guidelines, boaters can help protect the delicate ecosystem of Lake Tahoe and ensure that everyone can safely enjoy this beautiful natural resource.

Boat Launch Fees

El Dorado Beach Boat Ramp

At El Dorado Beach, the boat launch fees are as follows:

• $17 for a day-use launch
• $138 for a season pass launch
• $45 for a Tahoe-only annual sticker, which includes a $12 Aquatic Invasive Species Shoreline Fee and the TRPA Mandatory Fee

Lake Forest Boat Ramp

The Lake Forest Boat Ramp offers different rates for residents and non-residents:

• $15 for a daily launch for TCPUD residents or property owners (resident vessel sticker required)
• $75 for a daily launch for non-residents or non-property owners

They also offer season launch passes:

• Summer season launch pass (May 1 - September 30)
• Annual season launch pass (January 1 - December 31)

Tahoe Vista Recreation Area Boat Ramp

The Tahoe Vista Recreation Area (TVRA) Boat Ramp charges the following fees:

• $17 for a one-time launch
• $43 for an environmental impact and facility fee

They also offer season passes, which must be purchased online and then picked up in person.

Other Boat Launch Locations

• Cave Rock: $20 per day or $150 for an annual pass
• Rampart: $20 per day or $150 for an annual pass
• Tahoe City Marina: $30 per day or $200 for an annual pass
• Obexer's Boat Company: $25 per day or $250 for an annual pass
• Meeks Bay Resort & Marina: $25 per day or $250 for an annual pass
• Zephyr Cove Resort: $30 per day or $150 for an annual pass
• Ski Run Marina: $30 per day or $200 for an annual pass
• Tahoe Village Marina: $30 per day or $200 for an annual pass

Additional Costs

In addition to the boat launch fees, there are other costs to consider, such as parking fees and boat inspection fees. Parking fees vary depending on the launch site, and boat inspection fees range from $35 to $121, depending on the size of your boat and whether you have a Lake Tahoe sticker. The Lake Tahoe sticker is required if you plan to use your boat on the lake more than once during a calendar year, and the cost ranges from $35 for motorized watercraft under 16 feet long to $180 for vessels over 39 feet long.

Frequently asked questions