Tahoe Regional Trails Strategy
A blueprint for a connected and accessible dirt trail network for Tahoe.
Review the Final Strategy
About the Strategy
Creating a shared vision for a world-class trail network
A coalition of Tahoe partners developed a Regional Trails Strategy which creates a vision for a connected and accessible trail network that spans land managed by numerous agencies and links Tahoe's backcountry, front country, and urban trail systems.
Nearly 90% of the land in the Tahoe Basin is owned and managed by public agencies like the USDA Forest Service, State Parks, state land conservancies, and other public agencies. Some private agencies such as the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association, partner with land managers to build and maintain the dirt trail network in the Basin. With this many agencies at the table, coordination around ongoing priorities is critical. Additionally, with demand for hiking, mountain biking, dirt biking, and horseback riding on Tahoe's dirt trail network, coordination by local agencies and organizations has never been more important. In 2020, a group of partners came together to create a long-term vision for a connected and accessible trail network for the basin among all land managers and trail stewardship organizations. The strategy takes a regional perspective to trail planning and building, breaking down individual organization silos, and building coordination between agencies to enhance implementation of priorities and objectives.
The Regional Trails Strategy includes:
- A shared 15-year vision for a connected, high-quality, and accessible regional trails network in the Tahoe Basin
- A mapped inventory of regional trails and trailheads
- A list of Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) projects for improvements to existing trails and trailheads, new trail connectors, new trailheads, and decommissioning of existing trails
- Funding options and strategies to implement the priority project list
- Recommendations on consistent signage between land managers
- Lasting partnerships between land managers and other trail stewards
Strategy Study Area
The strategy incorporates existing dirt trails that begin or terminate within the Tahoe Basin boundary. The strategy focuses specifically on the following:
Trails: Natural surface trails (i.e. dirt, sand, rock) used for recreation and typically marked and maintained by public land managers.
Trailheads: Primary location where major trails begin. Can be marked or unmarked and may contain certain amenities like parking, bathrooms, trashcans, and information signs.
Trailhead Access: Means by which trailheads are accessible to users (i.e. automobiles, transit, bicycling, walking, etc.).
Goals of the Regional Trails Strategy
The Tahoe Regional Trails Strategy goals were used to guide the project recommendations in the strategy. The goals were the result of input from the Steering Committee, stakeholders and the public.
Environmentally Sustainable
Preserve, protect, and improve the natural beauty and scenery at trailheads and on trails. Trail planning, design, maintenance, and access should be sustainable and culturally respectful and should be in consultation with Tribal partners and local environmental stewards. Prioritize the improvement and maintenance of existing trails before building new trails and minimize the creation of social trails.
Equitable
Improve trail options and accessibility for all, especially for people with disabilities, underserved communities, and the Washoe Tribe. Prioritize multi-modal access to trail connections to improve access. Utilize technological improvements to improve access for trail users. Encourage the development and maintenance of a trail network that provides a diverse and inclusive system to all trail users. Ensure indigenous peoples have access to land via trails.
Connected
Create a seamless, connected, and navigable trail system by prioritizing projects that create better connections to the existing trail and bike path network. Develop consistent signage to enhance the user experience and safety. Create transit connections to all major trailheads.
Enjoyable
Strive to create a positive user experience for Tahoe's diverse set of trail users. Design and construct trails that cater to the intended user group(s). Prioritize projects that provide scenic vistas, lead to interesting points of interest, or provide a unique experience. Utilize signage that communicates trail etiquette expectations. Encourage loop trails as an alternative to out-and-back routes, where feasible.
Feasible Partnership
Ensure the long-term feasibility and sustainability of the trail system through ongoing coordination between Tahoe Basin trail partners, stakeholders, and the public. Ensure new trails have funding for on-going maintenance. Leverage funding and resources among agencies and organizations and coordinate on grant opportunities. Prioritize projects that provide access to public lands while mitigating conflicts with neighborhoods and private property owners.
Project Partners
The Tahoe Regional Trails Strategy was developed collaboratively with a team of partners invested in trail planning, construction, and maintenance. A steering committee guided the development of the Regional Trails Strategy, with representatives from the following agencies and organizations.
Community Input
The development of the Regional Trails Strategy required an understanding of existing trail use, areas where user conflicts frequently occur, user experience on the trails, and improvements needed to the trail network. The Strategy is reflective of the public input that was received throughout the planning process.
Public Webinar #2
Tahoe Regional Trails Strategy Webinar
Public Webinar #1
Tahoe Regional Trails Plan Webinar
Public Survey Response Dashboard
The project team conducted a public survey from June - August 2021. Survey responses were collected online and at popular trailhead and community locations. Survey responses helped inform the strategy. A summary of the responses is provided in the dashboard below.
Trails Survey Dashboard
Contact the Team
Contact the planning team at tahoetrailsplan@trpa.gov for questions or comments on the strategy.
