DOGS
Dogs on a 6' leash are allowed on paved areas, in the campground, and in the historic zone. Dogs are not allowed on beaches, unpaved trails, or in undeveloped areas.  Leashed dogs are allowed on the General Creek Fire Road when it is not maintained as a ski trail.  Dogs are not allowed on any of the ski trails or off trail in the Sugar Pine Point State Park ski network from November 1st to May 1st when snow is present.  Dog regulations are enforced YEAR-ROUND.

Off Season Camping

The campground will have a limited number of sites that will remain open throughout the winter season.  The campground is currently open on a first come first serve basis.  Winter fees are $25 per night.  Fees include one vehicle.  Extra vehicles are $5 per night each.   The showers and dump station are closed for the season.  The campground has a centrally located heated restroom with potable water.  Fees are due by self-registration immediately after selecting a vacant site. 

Maintenance workers will plow the road and campground parking areas as conditions and staffing allow.  Campers are responsible for shoveling out fire pits, food lockers, and picnic tables.

To make reservations for the summer, please click on the "Reservations" tab above.  

In the summer months, there are 10 group campsites and 120 family campsites.  For information on SUMMER camping reservations, call Reserve California at 1-800-444-PARK (7275) or visit www.reservecalifornia.com

Food Storage Locker Information
Black bears are currently very active at Sugar Pine as they prepare for the upcoming winter.  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 except when food is being prepared or eaten.  Ice chests may NOT be stored in vehicles. The inside dimensions of the food lockers 36" deep, 43" wide, and 22" high.  Violators will be cited.

2018 Winter Events

2018 Winter Events   |  News Release

Full Moon Snowshoe Tours
Saturdays: Jan. 27 and Mar. 3
Beginners’ clinic: 6:30 PM   Tour:  7:00 PM
Adults $30; Children 12 and under $20. 
Price includes parking, snowshoes and guided tour.

Explore the natural and cultural history around the Hellman-Ehrman estate and Lake Tahoe in this Ranger-led tour.  Few experiences are as enchanting as snowshoeing by the light of a full moon along the snow-covered Tahoe shore!. The program lasts approximately 90 minutes. Wear warm, layered clothing and winter boots. This event is generously sponsored by West Shore Sports, and all proceeds benefit the Sierra State Parks Foundation's educational programming. Space is limited, and tickets may be purchased at sierrastateparks.org (under "Events Calendar"). To check availability on the day of the event only, call West Shore Sports at 530-525-9920.

Snowshoe Through History
Jan. 1, Feb. 10, Mar. 17 at 11:00 AM
Free program; $5 parking fee

Join our State Park Interpreter for an easy and fun 90 minute walk along Lake Tahoe’s magical west shore. Discover what attracted Tahoe’s earliest settlers and uncover secrets of the Hellman-Ehrman Estate in Sugar Pine Point State Park. Meet near the restrooms in the Day Use side of the park (lake side entrance off Highway 89). Wear warm layered clothing, waterproof hiking boots, and bring your own snowshoes. Snowshoes can be rented at a local sporting goods shop, such as West Shore Sports in Homewood. If there is minimal snow, the hike will proceed without snowshoes.

Self-Guided Snow Trails
Free to explore; $5 parking fee

Step into cross-country skis or snowshoes and play on 11 miles of marked trails that are suitable for all abilities. Explore trails that Olympians conquered in the 1960 Winter Olympics, right in your own state park! Interpretive panels along the Blue and Red trails share our Olympic and Nordic Skiing history. The Blue trail (campground side of the park) is scheduled to be groomed this year, equipment and conditions permitting. There are snow trails on both the lake side and the campground side of the park. Free snow trail maps at park entrance. No dogs allowed on trails. The Sierra State Parks Foundation provides the trail grooming. Donations appreciated!

Day Use

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 during the peak season, $5 per vehicle in the winter, or free if you are camping at Sugar Pine Point. Fees are due by self-registration when the kiosk is unstaffed. There is a separate fee for historic tours of the Hellman-Ehrman Estate.  Please contact the Sierra State Parks Foundation (link on the right side of the page) for tour schedule information.

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.

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