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| Home > California > Mt. Watson |
Mt. Watson
Saturday, November 16, 2024
| Other Names | Dollar Creek, Tahoe National Forest, Mount Pluto, Watson Lake, Watson Creek, Burton Creek, Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit |
| Last Known Status | Closed For Season |
This part of the Tahoe National Forest offers about seven miles of moderately challenging forest service roads that are open to all vehicle types. There are no single track trails that are open to motorized use but is still a good spot to get a quick and easy day ride in.
There are some short hiking trails that offer some really nice lake views and a good spot to access the Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165-mile hiking trail that loops around Lake Tahoe.
Camping is permitted at Watson Lake which has six designated primitive tent sites and a vault toilet. There is no fee charged but no services so plan ahead. Trailers are not recommended.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| Dates Open | June 10 - November 15 | CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Yes | Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY) |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB) |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | No Restriction | |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 ATVs | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Permitted | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | CA OHMVR restrictions apply |
| MX Helmet Required | Yes | helmets required by state law |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
 Campfires | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) |
| Night Riding | Unknown | |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | stay on the trail |
| Rule Enforcement |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | National Forest |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | (None) |
| Comment | No fee charged for camping but stay is limited to 7 days. |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Good |
| Recommended Stay | Half Day |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Tahoe City, CA | ||
| Address | Mount Watson Road, Tahoe City, CA 96145 | ||
| From: Truckee, CA
1) Take I-80 to Exit 188B 2) Turn right (south) onto Hwy 267, continue 8.5 miles 3) Turn right (west) onto Mt. Waston Road, continue about 6 miles 4) Turn left (east) onto Forest Service Road 16N50, continue about .5 miles toward trailhead. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit 35 College Drive South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 (530) 543-2600 sm.fs.paltbmu@usda.gov www.fs.usda.gov |
ADD PHOTOS
TERRAIN
| Miles Of Trail | 7 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 7200 to 7600 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  None | |
| Hard Pack |  Mostly | |
| Sand |  Little | |
| Mud | Little | |
| Dust | Little | |
| Rocks | Little | |
| Trees |  All | |
| Steep Hills | None | |
| Water Crossings | None | |
| Small Jumps | None | |
| Large Jumps | None | |
| Berms |  Few | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track | None | |
| Roads | Mostly | |
| Shade | All | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Mostly | |
 Amateur |  Some | |
 Expert | None |
GPS POINTS
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | Tahoe City, CA | |
| Diesel | Tahoe City, CA | |
 Water | 1-5 Miles (S) | Tahoe State Recreation Area (530) 583-3074 |
 RV Hookup | 20-30 Miles (S) | Sugar Pine Point State Park (530) 525-7982 or (530) 525-3345 |
 RV Disposal | 20-30 Miles (S) | Sugar Pine Point State Park (530) 525-7982 or (530) 525-3345 |
| Campground | On Site | Mt. Watson Campground (530) 543-2600 |
 Conv Store | Tahoe City, CA |
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS