Shuttle service to begin mid-June and run daily through Labor Day

With summer right around the corner, Tahoe Transportation District (TTD), in partnership with public transit provider Via, is bringing back the Emerald Bay Shuttle for an expanded second season. Building on a successful 2025 pilot, this service will once again give visitors and residents a safe, affordable way to reach one of Lake Tahoe’s most popular destinations while reducing traffic congestion and protecting the basin’s natural environment.

“The Emerald Bay Shuttle is a key step toward improving access while protecting one of Tahoe’s most visited destinations,” Jim Marino, Executive Director of the Tahoe Transportation District. “By providing an easy alternative to driving, we’re helping ease traffic, enhance safety, and preserve the natural experience for everyone.”

The shuttle will run daily from mid-June (start date TBD) through September 7 along two routes. Riders coming from the North or West Shores can pick up the shuttle at Sugar Pine Point Campground. Riders on the South Shore can pick up the shuttle at the South Tahoe Y Transit Center or get on at Camp Richardson. Both routes stop at the Eagle Falls Trailhead in Emerald Bay. Weekend service begins at 8 a.m., with weekday trips starting at 9 a.m. All routes run until 5 p.m.

Rides are $5 one way or $10 roundtrip. Reduced fares of $2.50 one way and $5 roundtrip are available for children under 12, adults ages 65 and older, veterans, riders with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders.

Parking enforcement will be in place during the duration of the shuttle season. TTD will install nearly 400 feet of temporary barriers to restrict access to illegal and unsafe roadside parking, and California Highway Patrol (CHP) is strictly enforcing parking restrictions throughout the Emerald Bay corridor. During last year’s shuttle season, CHP wrote 248 citations, issued 13 moving violations, and had 10 vehicles towed for illegal parking. 

Both of the Emerald Bay Shuttle’s routes connect with public transit service, making more of Tahoe accessible through lake-friendly, car-free travel. Riders can reach the shuttle from the Stateline casino corridor and much of Tahoe’s South Shore by connecting with Tahoe Transportation District Bus Route 50 at the South Tahoe Y Transit Center. On the West Shore, Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit’s (TART) Mainline Bus Route, as well as on-demand microtransit from TART Connect, link with the shuttle at Sugar Pine Point Campground. Biking — or using a shared e-scooter on the South Shore — is a great way to get to a shuttle stop or connecting bus stop.

Riders will be able to reserve their seats at: www.emeraldbayshuttle.com

Walk-up seats may be available depending on excess capacity.

Th Emerald Bay Shuttle is supported by a project team consisting of transportation planning and implementation experts, local government officials, agencies and organizations including: Keep Tahoe Blue, Tahoe Fund, El Dorado County, Caltrans, California Highway Patrol, California State Parks, Placer County, Tahoe Transportation District, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, City of South Lake Tahoe, Sierra State Parks Foundation, South Shore Transportation Management Association, and Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

Key Service Details

Emerald Bay Shuttle

• Season: anticipated to start mid-June – September 7, 2026
• Weekday hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Thursday)
• Weekend and holiday hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Friday – Sunday)
• Fare: $5 one way / $10 roundtrip
• Reduced fare: $2.50 one way / $5 roundtrip for children under 12, adults ages 65+, veterans, riders with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders
• Routes: West Shore Route (from Sugar Pine Point); South Shore Route (from Y Transit Center, with a stop at Camp Richardson)
• Transit connections: TTD Bus Route 50 at the South Y Transit Center. TART Mainline Bus Route and TART Connect Microtransit service at Sugar Pine Point State Park
• Other connections: Bike or ride a shared e-scooter to the South Y Transit Center or Camp Richardson on the South Shore. Bike or walk to the Tahoe City Transit Center or Homewood to catch the TART Mainline.
• Parking: On the South Shore, keep your car parked where you are staying or park at a paid lot along Lake Tahoe Boulevard, at Lake Tahoe Community College, or Camp Richardson. On the north or west shore, park at the Tahoe City Transit Center, Homewood, or Sugar Pine State Park Campground.
• How to book: Reservations will be available at: www.emeraldbayshuttle.com

The first million dollars of private funding to help restore the former Motel 6 site has been raised by Tahoe Fund donors as part of the “Million for the Marsh” campaign. Launched in November, the campaign set out to raise the first $1 million of private funds to help secure the public funds the California Tahoe Conservancy will need to restore the Upper Truckee Marsh in South Lake Tahoe. 

“We were absolutely blown away by our donors who helped us meet this challenge, further reinforcing how important the restoration of this marsh is to Lake Tahoe’s clarity and the community,” said Amy Berry, Tahoe Fund CEO. “We are committed to helping the Conservancy bring this marsh back to life with the support of philanthropic dollars and stand ready to call on our community for any additional support we may need to make this project happen.” 

In addition to the “Million for the Marsh” campaign, the Tahoe Fund also provided funding for initial acquisition of the former Motel 6 property alongside a number of other partners including the Conservancy, the California Wildlife Conservation Board, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the League to Save Lake Tahoe. Last year, contributions from Tahoe Fund donors and major gifts from the Latrobe Foundation and the Robert S & Dorothy J Keyser Foundation brought in over $200,000 to support the demolition of the buildings on site. 

“We are grateful for the Tahoe Fund donors’ support for this important project,” said Jason Vasques, executive director of the California Tahoe Conservancy. “We look forward to working with our partners as we continue planning the restoration for the southern end of the Upper Truckee Marsh, which is so important for habitat, watershed resilience, and Lake Tahoe.”

In addition to restoring the watershed and the native habitat, this project further advances the 2012 Lake Tahoe Regional Plan and Environmental Improvement Program by removing aging development from sensitive land and retiring or transferring development rights to town centers.

There is still time for you to provide your feedback with the Conservancy on concepts for the proposed project. Visit tahoe.ca.gov/survey.

Learn more and contribute to the project today at tahoefund.org/millionforthemarsh.

Funds will support a new trailhead designed to minimize neighborhood impacts and give everyone an easier start on the trails

Tahoe XC’s trails are getting a new launching point after donors exceeded the Tahoe Fund’s $100,000 matching goal to relocate the year-round trailhead. As part of the larger Tahoe Cross Country Lodge Project, the new trailhead will help minimize neighborhood parking and give everyone an easier start on the area’s popular trails. 

”Tahoe XC has been a welcome home to cross country skiing and mountain biking in our community for over 50 years,” said Bill Dietz, Tahoe Fund board member. “We are thrilled to report that passion for recreation runs deep in our region, as Tahoe Fund donors met and exceeded our goal to support the trailhead relocation effort.”

The Tahoe Fund matching campaign raised over $105,000 of private funding to support the project’s Phase 1 of 3, trailhead relocation. The $2.9 million trailhead relocation phase will create ADA and beginner-friendly trail access not currently available at the existing trailhead due to its topography. It will also provide walkability and transit options for students thanks to its shared parking with North Tahoe High School, and generate year-round community programming opportunities.

“Relocating the trailhead is the first step in realizing our larger goal of finally giving the Tahoe Cross Country community a home that serves and connects for generations to come,” said Jim Robbins, TCCSEA board president and founding member of Tahoe XC. “We are incredibly grateful to those who contributed to the trailhead relocation effort and demonstrated the value this project has to our broader community.”

The Lodge Project will create a functional, sustainable home for Tahoe XC’s growing youth programs and serve as a gathering space for everyone. The new location is a more accessible trailhead to both Tahoe XC’s groomed winter trails and Burton Creek State Park public lands. Once constructed, the new lodge will replace the 50-year-old building that exists today with a new building that will use geothermal heat pumps and solar panels to become a net zero energy commercial building. 

More than 100 donors helped unlock matching funds

Backcountry access in Lake Tahoe received a huge boost thanks to community members participating in the Tahoe Fund’s $10K for TBA matching challenge. The nonprofit organization today announced that more than 100 people donated to support the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance (TBA), unlocking a $10,000 gift from the Tahoe Fund and raising over $26,000 to help TBA improve backcountry access for all. 

“We called on backcountry enthusiasts to help meet this challenge for TBA’s 10th anniversary, and they blew us away,” said Verdi DiSesa, Tahoe Fund Board Chair. “Thanks to the incredible support from this dedicated community, we are able to make TBA’s job of increasing safe access to the backcountry a little bit easier.”

For over a decade, the Tahoe Backcountry Alliance has been tackling backcountry access issues like parking availability, snow removal, and limited trailheads. As part of their mission, they also offer cross-country ski and snowshoe experiences as part of the Washoe Tribe’s Youth Expedition Program, and provide opportunities to borrow sno-park passes and gear for free at libraries throughout El Dorado, Placer and Nevada Counties.

“We are deeply grateful to the Tahoe Fund for championing our work and investing in human-powered backcountry access for all,” said Anthony Cupaiuolo, Tahoe Backcountry Alliance Executive Director. “This matching campaign will make a meaningful impact for the growing winter backcountry community—from experienced backcountry skiers and snowboarders using the trailheads we manage, to families accessing snow affordably through free sno-park passes and gear available via our library partnerships.”

As part of the challenge, donors that gifted $35 or more received a TBA membership that corresponded to their gift level, offering them access to a community of backcountry experts as well as fun giveaways. Even though the challenge is over, TBA memberships are always available at tahoebackcountryalliance.org/membership.