Help stop the spread of aquatic invaders. Join the Tahoe Keepers Stewardship community.

Emerald Bay, Photo: Lake Tahoe Water Trail

We are the Tahoe Keepers, a waterborne community committed to protecting Lake Tahoe’s pristine watershed and our non-motorized culture. As water stewards, we simply Clean, Drain and Dry our watercraft and gear every time we haul out after use, and properly Dispose of any plants or debris we find. It’s easy to add to our regular habits and it matters. We don’t want to introduce destructive snails or mussels to Tahoe and we don’t want to transport aquatic weeds that have invaded Lake Tahoe and several of its tributaries. Fallen Leaf Lake, Echo Lake, Spooner Lake, and most of the smaller lakes, streams and rivers in the Tahoe region are not plagued by these invasive species and it’s up to us to keep it that way.

As Tahoe Keepers we know that a little extra time helps to protect our gear, our favorite pastime and our favorite places. Invasive species are spread through the transport of water and debris that can collect inside and on watercraft and gear.

Becoming a Tahoe Keeper is easy and free

To keep our freedom to launch at informal sites around Tahoe while we do our part to protect this beautiful resource, paddlers can join the Tahoe Keepers and get a Proof of Training card to signify their completion of the training. Being a Tahoe Keeper identifies you as a responsible and informed paddler who has completed the self-inspection and decontamination training. You will also receive a Tahoe Keeper decal that can be proudly displayed on your watercraft or car to identify you as a Tahoe Keeper. The self-inspection training program for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards is free and voluntary to participate in. Widespread participation in this voluntary training program can help prevent future restrictions on recreational opportunities in Tahoe. Today, there are almost 3000 Tahoe Keepers signed up!

 Photo: Lake Tahoe Water Trail

To join, you can take a short quiz to ensure you understand how to self-inspect and decontaminate your watercraft and gear. To learn how to Clean, Drain, Dry and Dispose every time, watch the training video. Once you pass the Tahoe Keeper quiz, you may register as a Tahoe Keeper, request Tahoe Keeper decals for each of your watercraft, and receive your Proof of Training credentials.

We also invite you to join the Tahoe Keepers on Facebook. There you can meet other informed paddlers, find or organize paddling events and gatherings, and share your own stories and photos.

We are here to help

If you find AIS on your equipment or you are arriving at Lake Tahoe from a region with infested waterbodies, inspections and decontamination are available free of charge at the roadside watercraft inspection stations.

If you would like to rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard here in Tahoe, our local rental shops located around the lake have a variety of boats and gear ready to go. Rent from a Tahoe Keeper Fleet member, and help support local businesses that are doing their part to protect Lake Tahoe. For more answers, visit the Frequently Ask Questions, call 888-824-6267.

It only takes on infected boat to jeopardize Tahoe’s pristine waters. Thank you for your help.

 Baldwin Beach, Photo: Lake Tahoe Water Trail

Paddler Launch/Landing Sites and Mapped Paddle Routes

Lake Tahoe Water Trail

The Lake Tahoe Water Trail is a 72-mile water route along the shoreline that connects public launch and landing sites that include restrooms, facilities, and parking. Paddlers can plan their paddle trip and find public launch/landing sites, mapped paddle routes, water safety, and conservation tips at laketahoewatertrail.org. The website also features wind and weather conditions, bilingual Day Trip Maps, and local paddle outfitters who rent gear that is already decontaminated.