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Twin Peaks And Sand Pit

Saturday, June 1, 2024

Other Names

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Sand Pit, Sawmill Pond, Twin Peaks, South Tahoe, Southlake Pits MX

Last Known StatusOpen

This is a very small but scenic offroad area located in the outskirts of South Lake Tahoe. There are just a handful of ATV trails, a short 4x4 rock crawl and a sand pit with a decent motocross track. The short trails lead to two peaks with some large rocks and panoramic views. Overall, this place makes for a great afternoon ride to unwind, but is not a large enough area warrant any special travel plans.

Since this location consists of two separate areas, there are two designated closure dates. The sand pit/motocross track closes for the season around mid November while the trails usually remain open until November 20. The dates are subject to change and may close early due to inclement weather. For current conditions contact the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit before heading out.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit RequiredYesCA OHMVR stickers required
Dates OpenMay - NovemberCA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round
Other ATV Stickers AcceptedYesResidents 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 ArrestorYesA spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise LimitYes (96 dB)CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB)
Whip FlagsNot Required
Maximum Vehicle WidthNo Restriction
Allow Dirt Bikes, Trail Bikes and Motorcycles Motorcycles & Dirt BikesPermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
Allow All Terrain Vehicles / Quads / Four Wheelers ATVsPermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles, Side by Sides (SXS), RZR UTV & SXSPermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
Allow 4x4 Jeeps, SUVs and 4 x 4 Trucks with License Plates SUVs & Jeeps (registered)Permitted
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail
4x4 (unregistered)
PermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
2 Stroke EnginesNo RestrictionCA OHMVR restrictions apply
MX Helmet RequiredYeshelmets required by state law
Camping / Overnight RV Parking CampingProhibited
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresProhibited
Night RidingNoday use only - 9am to 7pm
Trail BlazingSome Areaspermitted at the sand pit
AlcoholNo Restriction
Rule EnforcementFew/Periodic
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TERRAIN

Approx Size1,280 acres (2 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail2
Climate TypeForest
Elevation6300 to 6900 ft.
Trail MaintenanceMarked, Not Rated, Heavily Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has little loose dirt.Little
Hard PackThe trail has mostly hard pack terrain.Mostly
SandThis trail has little sandy areas.Littlesand pit
MudThe trail has no mud after it rains.None
DustThe trail has little dust on typical days.Little
RocksThis trail has little rocks.Little
TreesThe trail has almost all trees.All
Steep HillsThis trail has no steep hills.None
Water CrossingsThe trail has no water crossings.None
Small JumpsThis trail has few small jumps.Few
Large JumpsThis trail has some large jumps.Somesand pit
BermsThe trail has few berms.Few
Sand/Gravel PitsThis national forest has no sand or gravel pits.None
Single TrackThis national forest has no single track trails.Nonesome narrow connecting trails (very short)
RoadsThis national forest has some roads.Some
IntersectionsThis trail has some intersections.Some
Rider TrafficThe national forest has few rider traffic on typical days.Few
ShadeThis national forest has many shaded areas.Many
Ranges/GunfireThis national forest has no shooting ranges or gunfire.None
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards not marked)
Beware of cliffs.
drop-offs near peak
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has mostly beginner terrain.Mostly
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has little intermediate level terrain.Little
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has no expert terrain.None

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandNational Forest
MX TRACK  Motocross Track
FeaturesPublic
Max Engine SizeNo Maximum
Min Engine SizeNo Minimum
Commenthard packed, large table tops, big berms

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline1-5 Miles (NW)Chevron (530) 541-7141
Diesel Diesel1-5 Miles (NW)Chevron (530) 541-7141
Potable Water Water1-5 Miles (N)Fallen Leaf Campground (530) 543-2600
RV Hookups RV Hookup1-5 Miles (N)Tahoe Valley Campground (530) 541-2222
RV Dump Station RV Disposal1-5 Miles (N)Tahoe Valley Campground (530) 541-2222
Primitive Camping Campground1-5 Miles (W)Fallen Leaf Campground (530) 543-2600
Convenience Store Conv Store1-5 Miles (N)7-11 (530) 541-0302

FEES & PASSES

Parking(None)
Entry(None)
Riding(None)
Camping(None)

RATINGS

Prosgreat scenery, free, cooler temperatures
Consvery few trails, very short, day use only (9am-7pm)
Our RatingRatingGood
Recommended StayHalf Day
this area is very small
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CitySouth Lake Tahoe, CA
AddressTwin Peaks Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Go Back To California List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: South Lake Tahoe, CA
1) Take US-50 South about 3 miles
2) Turn right (west) on Sawmill Road, continue 1.8 miles (if you go past the stop sign you've gone too far)
3) Turn right onto paved road, proceed toward the Sawmill Pond/Twin Peaks Staging Area.

For Sand Pit Staging Area (better parking for trailers):
4) Continue on Sawmill Road to the stop sign
5) Turn right (north) at the stop sign onto Lake Tahoe Blvd, continue 1 mile
6) Turn right (east) and proceed through gate (look for signs).

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoLake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
35 College Drive
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150-4500
(530) 543-2600
sm.fs.paltbmu@usda.gov
www.fs.usda.gov
Contact InfoLake Tahoe Hi - Lo's 4WD Club
P.O. Box 8248
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158
gary@laketahoehilos.com
talltara@aol.com
www.laketahoehilos.com

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

OHV at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

The 'Sand Pit' area has a moderate hillclimb behind the MX track.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Trails are smooth, easy, fast, and again... VERY SHORT.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorbike at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

One of the many scenic overlooks.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Scenery at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Sawmill Pond at the Twin Peaks staging area has a nice day use area.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Example of terrain at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

All trails are marked and rated.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

There is a large mud bog in the center of the track, but nobody was in the mood to get dirty.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Motorbike at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike doing a wheelie at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Scenery at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Sawmill Pond has a day use area and offer fishing for children 14 and under.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle doing a wheelie at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

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Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Some terrain at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

This is the trailhead from the Twin Peaks staging area.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

RV Trailer Staging Area and Camping at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

The twin peaks staging area has restrooms, a small parking area, and access to Sawmill Pond.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike getting air at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Off-Road Bike at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

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Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirtbike at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

The trails are extremely short, but there are some great views.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Views at the summit are great.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

This short bypass route is for 4x4s only, and it connects right back to the main trail after this short section of boulders.

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Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Yamaha YZ Motorbike at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Part of the MX track uses the natural terrain of the hillside.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Yamaha YZ Motorcycle at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

The MX track at 'Sand Pit' is decent.  It is hard packed with some large table tops and huge berms.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

This is the access gate for the 'Sand Pit' area.  You can access both the trails and the pit/track from either staging area.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Some terrain at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

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Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

A typical piece of trail here.  This would have been great if the trails were longer.  The whole area is very small.

Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail Photo

Example of terrain at Twin Peaks And Sand Pit Trail

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