According to a recent press release by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the U.S. Forest Service, the parking area at the end of Angora Ridge Road will become a fee-parking area, starting this summer.
The Angora Lakes Resort, under Special Use Permit with the U.S. Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, will manage the parking area including the restrooms and trash cans.
The day use fee will be $5 per vehicle.
Those who visit the lakes, often, will be able to purchase a "frequent visitor" pass for the season for $20 by contacting Angora Lakes Resort at (530) 541-2092.
Angora Lakes and the resort are a popular place to visit, and over the past 10-15 years, the area has seen a dramatic increase in visitor usage.
On a typical summer day, public use often exceeds available parking, and vehicles can be found parked in meadow areas and alongside the road creating traffic congestion and natural resource damage.
The U.S.F.S. will continue this summer upgrading the road to meet water quality standards.
At the same time, some of the parking problems caused by overcrowding will be prevented by judicious lane narrowing and prohibiting parking outside of the official parking area.
The public should be aware that a Forest Order (No. 19-05-02) is now in effect that prohibits parking along the Angora Ridge Road (Forest Road No. 1214) one half mile from the parking lot.
Parking will only be permitted in designated areas at the parking lot.
Visitors to Angora Lakes and the resort should be aware that the parking lot may be full at peak times, such as during the July Fourth holiday weekend and on weekends throughout the summer.
Alternatives include biking to the lakes and resort or hiking from Fallen Leaf Lake.
For information, call Rex Norman, U.S.F.S. Public Affairs Officer, at South Lake Tahoe at (530) 543-2627.
