03.01 - Sustainable Recreation Program

As a nationally recognized recreation destination and world-renowned natural treasure, the Basin offers an unparalleled diversity of opportunities for outdoor recreation. From wilderness areas and undeveloped shoreline, to developed resorts, marinas, and ski areas, the Basin offers outdoor experiences that are accessible to all.

The Basin is also increasingly popular. Visits to the National Forest in the Basin have increased by more than 30%, from 5.78 million in 2010 to more than 7.72 million in 2015 while the total public land base remained nearly static over the same period. Cell phone data suggests the Basin receives 24 million visits and 9.6 million visitor vehicles annually.4 Further, outdoor recreation is now a primary driver of the Basin’s nearly $5 billion-dollar economy.

Without a coordinated response from a coalition of partners and recreation stakeholders, interagency recreation managers in the Basin will not be able to provide high quality recreational opportunities for visitors and residents and preserve the natural and cultural resources that underpin recreational experiences. Managing for sustainable recreation means maintaining and enhancing recreation settings, while balancing impacts to ecological, social, economic and cultural resources. It means providing outstanding recreation opportunities and access for user communities that derive personal well-being, economic vitality, and community identity from shared outdoor experiences in the Basin.

The Tahoe basin’s Sustainable Recreation Working Group envisions a future in which the Basin is both a world-class recreation destination and a global leader in environmental stewardship