FAQ Category: FAQ's

Are the parking lots open in the winter?

The parking facilities are accessible most of the year. The parking lots are not plowed due to water quality improvements associated with the lots, therefore the lots may not be accessible during winter when heavy snowpack occurs.

Are there ADA designated parking spots and do they require payment?

Yes, several ADA parking spaces are available throughout the lots. ADA plates, stickers, or placards are required for use of those spaces and all parking fees apply.

Is a season pass available or are existing passes for Nevada State Parks or Incline Village General Improvement District allowed for the 90 spaces located at Ponderosa Ranch Road?

Seasonal parking passes are not available for the 90 spaces located on SR 28 near Ponderosa Ranch Road, also know as the Tahoe East Shore Trailhead. Passes associated with Nevada State Parks or Incline Village General Improvement District are not accepted as part of the Park Tahoe system. We encourage all users to come early or come late and pay a lower rate or park for free in the early mornings or evenings. The fee schedule is available on the kiosk and at the top of this page.

What if I have questions or issues regarding restrooms, trash, or other matters along the trail?

Please contact Washoe 311 or Nevada State Parks at 775-831-0494.

What if I can’t find a parking spot at the new Park Tahoe parking facility?

We recommend arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon to park at the new Park Tahoe paid parking facility, as parking spots fill quickly—especially during the summer and on weekends!

Please note that Sand Harbor has flashing signs on SR 28 and US 50 advising when parking lots are full.

During most summers, you can take transit to the trail with complementary parking available at the old Incline Elementary School on Southwood Blvd. (SR28). Beachgoers can park and ride the East Shore Express to the Tahoe East Shore Trail trailhead. The East Shore Express also stops at Sand Harbor State Park and Hidden Beach.

For the summer 2021 season, the East Shore Express service is currently suspended due to driver shortages.

Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transportation (TART) operates a summer bus service along the north shore of Tahoe to the Tahoe East Shore Trail trailhead and new this year is TART Connect microtransit serving Incline Village. TTD and TART transit services are currently free to ride for all passengers. For more information on TART services, explore their site here.

TTD has been working with project partners to expand the parking along SR 28 north of the existing 90 space parking area and has received federal design and construction grants. The design work is scheduled to begin fall of 2021. Additionally, there are plans to extend the the Tahoe East Shore Trail approximately eight miles south of Sand Harbor to Highway 50 and provide new and expanded parking facilities, transit stops, and a park-and-ride lot in that segment.

 

How will paid parking revenues be used?

Parking fees will support annual and long-term operations and maintenance of the parking facilities and the Tahoe East Shore Trail. The revenue is placed in a restricted fund administered by the TTD on behalf of the project partners. The East Shore Corridor Management Team, made up of the operating agencies in the corridor, will review the revenues and make budget recommendations to the TTD Board.

The parking non-compliance program is intended to fund itself and is tracked separately, with the non-compliant users paying the cost of the non-compliance program. TTD has not set quotas on the number of parking notices nor will any be established. The data is analyzed from time to time to see where messaging can be improved to encourage users to pay for parking and address problem areas.

The revenue and expense budget information is public information. The public is encouraged to attend the annual budget meeting of the TTD Board generally held in May or June.

The Park Tahoe paid parking pilot program is one part of a comprehensive effort to develop a unified parking management strategy that is consistent and easily accessible for visitors to the Lake Tahoe Region. As technology advances and parking facilities expand, plans are in place to add features, such as mobile application access.

What if I have trouble at the pay station or one of the meters is not working?

The card reader may take several seconds to process the transaction. If you have trouble, there are three other meters available in the parking lots that you may pay at.

During peak times, an on-site parking ambassador will be available to help answer questions and ensure a seamless experience for the remainder of the summer season. The Parking Ambassador can generally be found near the trailhead or look for their orange vest with the Park Tahoe logo around the lots to ask any questions or report a broken meter. If no one is available on-site, you may call 775-589-5502.

How do I pay to park?

Parking pay stations accept CREDIT CARDS ONLY. Park your car and pay at any pay station indicated by the Park Tahoe sign; push the green start button and follow the instructions on the screen. (If you do not have a credit card, prepaid credit cards are available for purchase at local grocery stores.)

• Enter license plate number when prompted on the screen (no state required).  Plan to take a photo of your license plate number with your cell phone to remember it when at the pay station.

• If you have no license plate, enter the last four digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN).

• If you have a license plate with stacked letters or special symbols, enter only the full-size numbers and letters. Special symbols and spaces should not be entered.

• If a meter is not working, use any other pay station in the lots for payment. This is a license based system, there are no stall numbers and no receipt is required on your windshield.

Why were new parking facilities built along SR 28/Tahoe Blvd. near Ponderosa Ranch Road in Incline Village?

Ninety new off-highway parking spots were completed last year near Ponderosa Ranch Road and State Route 28 (SR 28) to provide safer recreational access to the SR 28 Corridor and the Tahoe East Shore Trail. By providing off-highway parking alternatives, transit connections, and a path for pedestrians and bicyclists, motorists can more safely travel along SR 28 on the east shore. By relocating shoulder parking to these parking lots, highway congestion is reduced and allows emergency vehicles easier access along the SR 28 Corridor.

With less vehicles idling due to recreation congestion and highway shoulder parking moving to off-highway parking, the reduced erosion and emissions will improve the environment. Transportation system improvements are critical to protecting Lake Tahoe’s air and water quality because more than 70 percent of the pollutants impacting the lake’s clarity come from the transportation system and built environment.