January 1, 2019

How To Recreate Responsibly & Leave No Trace in Truckee

Truckee’s lakes, rivers, and forests are a place of retreat and respite. But in the midst of a pandemic, we need to take extra steps to respect our favorite outdoor places and everyone who wishes to enjoy them. Whether you are a Truckee local or just visiting, please follow this guide on how to Recreate Responsibly created by The Recreate Responsibly Coalition.

Volunteer divers recently removed hundreds of pounds of trash from Donner Lake. They found tennis balls, beer cans, tires and more under the surface of the water. Together, we can prevent this huge accumulation of litter by following Leave No Trace principles. Whether you’re on the trail or on the water, make sure to pick up all garbage, including microtrash like bottle caps and can tabs.

Recreate Responsibly in Truckee

Recreate Responsibly is about people and places. It’s a collaborative effort that asks all trail users to be stewards of the land and build an outdoors where everyone feels welcome. Share your commitment to #RecreateResponsibly by using the hashtag on social media. Together, we can protect Truckee’s wild spaces, and our beloved mountain community, for decades to come.

Know Before You Go

Check the status of the place you want to visit. If it is closed, don’t go. If it’s crowded, have a backup plan.

Plan Ahead

Prepare for facilities to be closed, pack lunch, and bring essentials like hand sanitizer and a face covering.

Check trailhead signs in Truckee for important trail updates and information. Expect services like bathrooms and water spigots to be closed. Be ready for wildfire and read this Visitor’s Guide to Wildfire Season in Truckee. Carry everything you need like extra water, face covering, etc.

Play It Safe

Slow down and choose lower-risk activities to reduce your risk of injury. Search and rescue operations and health care resources are both strained.

Rescue operations place an additional strain on our limited healthcare system in Truckee. Tone down your outdoor activities and always have a rescue plan.

Leave No Trace

Respect public lands and waters, as well as Native and local communities. Take all your garbage with you.

Follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace. Never leave garbage behind. Pack out your trash and try to leave an area better than you found it.

Build an Inclusive Outdoors

Be an active part of making the outdoors safe and welcoming for all identities and abilities.

All are welcome to explore Truckee. We hope both visitors and residents alike will show extra compassion to everyone they encounter in the outdoors during this difficult time. Please do your part to make Truckee a welcoming, safe space.

Thank you to The Recreate Responsibly Coalition for creating these guidelines on how to #RecreateResponsibly during COVID-19. We hope you enjoy Truckee’s world class trails, rock walls, and waters safely and respectfully.