Ready to Launch
Any vessel with an intact Lake Tahoe inspection seal can launch at one of the regional ramps and marinas listed here. Boats without a seal are required to be inspected by Tahoe Resource Conservation District inspectors. To improve efficiency at launch sites, AIS inspection services are only provided at off-site inspection stations located around the Tahoe Region.
Public Launch Ramps
Sand Harbor, Incline Village (NV State Parks) — Open 6 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cave Rock, Glenbrook (NV State Parks) — Open 6 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lake Forest, Tahoe City (TCPUD) — Winter (Oct. 1–16) 8 am to 6 pm
Summer (May 1 – Sept. 2):
– Monday – Thursday 5:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
– Friday – Sunday 5:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
*Fourth of July hours vary
El Dorado, South Lake Tahoe (CSLT) — Closed for 2022 due to low water. Non-motorized vessels may use launch ramp.
Kings Beach Boat Launch (North Tahoe Watersports) — Closed for 2022 due to low water. Non-motorized vessels may use launch ramp.
Tahoe Vista Recreation Area, Kings Beach (NTPUD) — Closed for 2022 due to low water. Non-motorized vessels may use launch ramp.
Private Launch Facilities
Please contact the following facilities directly for information on launching and hours of operation:
- North Tahoe Marina
- Sierra Boat Company
- Ski Beach Boat Ramp -IVGID
- Tahoe City Marina
- Sunnyside Marina
- Homewood Marina
- Obexer’s Marina
- Tahoe Keys Marina (If you are staying in the Tahoe Keys, AIS control work may inhibit boat routes. Visit here for more information.)
- Lakeside Marina
- Fallen Leaf Lake Marina* – ATTENTION: All boats without a green Fallen Leaf Lake wire inspection seal must get an inspection at the Meyers, Spooner or Alpine Meadows inspection station prior to launch. Decontamination fees will apply. All non-motorized should always arrive Clean.Drain.Dry before launching. *Starting 2022, all motorized watercraft launching into Fallen Leaf Lake will need to purchase a 2022 sticker.
- Echo Lake Chalet* – ATTENTION: All boats without a yellow Echo Lake wire inspection seal must get an inspection at the Meyers, Spooner or Alpine Meadows inspection station prior to launch. Decontamination fees will apply. All non-motorized should always arrive Clean.Drain.Dry before launching. *Starting 2022, all motorized watercraft launching into Echo Lake will need to purchase a 2022 sticker.
* Non-motorized watercraft must be Clean.Drain.Dry prior to launching in other waterbodies of the Tahoe Region, even if you last paddled on Lake Tahoe. Other lakes do not have the same species that are in Lake Tahoe and any introduction is illegal.
Paddlers can find public launch sites and mapped paddle routes through the Lake Tahoe Water Trail website.