Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point SP

Winter

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our annual Olympic Heritage Celebration week January 11-19, 2014! More outdoor activities are scheduled throughout the winter months:

Spectacular Full Moon Snowshoe Tours in Jan, Feb, and Mar
Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 15 at 7:00PM
Join Park Rangers for moonlight adventures around the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion and along Lake Tahoe’s magical West Shore. Few experiences compare to snowshoeing under the light of a full moon along the snow covered Tahoe shoreline!
For those new to snowshoeing, there will be a beginners’ clinic at 6:30pm. All proceeds from these tours support Sierra State Parks Foundation. Meet in the day use area parking lot (lakeside entrance off Highway 89). 1½ hours. Wear warm, layered clothing, waterproof shoes, and bring a flashlight. Space is limited and reservations required through our State Park Partner, West Shore Sports at 530-525-9920

Snowshoe Through History
Jan 25, Feb 22, Mar 22
Join our State Park Interpreter for hikes along Lake Tahoe’s magical west shore at Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. These easy and fun tours explore the lakefront and the Hellman-Ehrman Estate. Learn about the natural environment that attracted Tahoe’s earliest settlers and explore the fascinating history of a Tahoe landmark.
The Snowshoe through History hikes start at 11am and begin near the restrooms in the Day Use side of the park (lake side entrance off Highway 89). The programs last approximately 1½ hours. Wear warm clothing and waterproof winter shoes; bring water and snowshoes

Snow Trails Groomed for Cross Country Skiing
In the winter, visitors to the park can enjoy 11 miles of cross country ski and snowshoe trails. Follow the path of the Nordic events of the 1960 Winter Olympics that occurred in what is now Sugar Pine Point State Park. Starting at the Blue Trailhead, you will come across a series of interpretive panels that share our Olympic and Nordic skiing history. Free snow trail maps are available at the park entrance stations or by clicking the "Maps/Brochures" link on the right.

The Blue, Red, and Green cross country ski trails on the Campground side of the park (west of Hwy 89) are scheduled to be machine-groomed every Monday and Friday, conditions permitting. The cross country ski trails on the Day Use side of the park (lake side, east of Hwy 89), including the Yellow and Orange trails, are not machine-groomed. Snowshoers and hikers, please do not walk on the ski tracks. Be prepared for changing weather conditions. No dogs are allowed on snow trails. $10 parking fee.

Camping

The campground is scheduled to be open through the winter months with 16 campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are flush toilets and running water, but no showers or dump station in the winter. Winter camping rates are $25 per night and self-registration is required upon arrival. Please call 530-525-7982 or 530-525-7232 for current information.

Day Use facilities, including the historic Hellman-Ehrman Estate, picnic area, beach and pier are 3/4 mile from the campground. Day Use parking is $10 per vehicle, or free if you are camping at Sugar Pine Point.

Food Storage Locker Information
Black bears are currently active at Sugar Pine! The unusually warm and dry winter weather means that bears are more likely to be awake and in search of food. Metal bear-resistant food lockers are provided in each campsite. All food, beverages, and toiletries are required by law to be stored in provided food lockers. The inside dimensions of the food lockers 36" deep, 43" wide, and 22" high. Violators will be cited.

In the summer months, there are 10 group campsites and 120 family campsites. For information on SUMMER camping reservations, call Reserve America at 1-800-444-PARK or www.reserveamerica.com

About the Park
Ed Z'berg - Sugar Pine Point State Park contains one of the finest remaining natural areas on Lake Tahoe. With nearly two miles of lake frontage, the park has dense forests of pine, fir, aspen and juniper.

Another attraction is the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion (also known as Pine Lodge), a summer home built in 1903 in a grove of pine and cedar. From the turn of the century until 1965, the lands of what is now Ed Z'berg - Sugar Pine Point State Park were owned by financier Isaias W. Hellman, and later by his daughter Florence Hellman Ehrman. The mansion provides an interesting view into the lifestyles of the wealthy on Lake Tahoe.

Location/Directions
The park is located on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, ten miles south of Tahoe City on Highway 89.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing
Summer temperatures range from about 75-80 degrees during the day to the low 40s at night, and winter temperatures average from a high of 40 to lows in the teens or 20s. Winter temperatures may drop below 0. 

Facilities - Activities
Hiking & Swimming
Many miles of hiking trails within the park and a swimming beach provide visitors with a variety of relaxing summer activities.

Fishing
Ed Z'berg - Sugar Pine Point State Park is comprised of conifer forests in the General Creek drainage. The waters of General Creek are among the clearest waters flowing into Lake Tahoe and the stream is open to fishing from mid July to mid September.

Cross-Country Skiing
Winter visitors to the park will find over 20 kilometers of marked cross country ski trails and a heated restroom in the General Creek campground. Interpretive presentations on a variety of winter related subjects are presented most weekends, from January through March.

Nature Center
When you're at Ed Z'berg - Sugar Pine Point State Park, be sure to stop at the Nature Center located in the day use area by the Ehrman Mansion. We now have a bird display, where visitors can view several species of bird life that occur in the Tahoe Basin. In addition to birds, visitors can see most of the mammals and the four major game fish that occur here. Other exhibits include: Biology, Lake Ecology, Wildflowers, Trees, and a "Touchy-feely" table for the kids (adults also!).

About the area...
Lake Tahoe lay at the heart of the Washoe Indian territory, and Ed Z'berg - Sugar Pine Point State Park was the summer home for generations of Washoe Indians who came to these peaceful shores to hunt and fish. Evidence of their occupation can still be seen today in the form of bedrock mortars or grinding rocks just offshore from the Ehrman Mansion.

In 1860, the first permanent settler of record on Lake Tahoe's west shore built a cabin at the mouth of General Creek. This was the trapper and fisherman William "General" Phipps, and his cabin can still be seen today just north of the Ed Z'berg - Sugar Pine Point State Park pier. In 1884, a resort called Bellevue Hotel was constructed just north of what is now the South Boathouse, and remained a popular summer destination for Lake Tahoe visitors for nine years.

Special Events

See the "Park Activites" tab at right for a schedule of all summer 2013 special events in Lake Tahoe Sector State Parks.

The beautiful grounds of the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion are available for special events such as weddings, school or family reunions, and corporate dinners.  The grounds have spectacular views of Lake Tahoe with the 12,000 square foot mansion serving as an elegant backdrop.  Click here to download a Special Events brochure.  Click here to download a wedding application.  Call or email our Special Events Office for more information:  530-525-5060 or lssec@parks.ca.gov.