Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) and Mountainside Partners are planning to submit an application for land owned by SPI within the Tahoe Basin to be developed as a new campground.
The Brockway Campground will offer families the ability to enjoy a variety of outdoor recreational activities available in North Lake Tahoe while providing a range of camping experiences including campsites for traditional tents, campers and eco-shelters.
The Brockway Campground is the first new seasonal campground to be proposed in the Tahoe Basin in more than 20 years. A campground is a permissible use under the applicable zoning ordinances, and aligns with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA)’s Regional Plan Update mission. It will offer the general public a high-quality, diverse camping experience in North Lake Tahoe, and improve the availability of camping opportunities in the region.
“Currently in the Tahoe Basin, there are 18 campgrounds which represent a total of 2,066 campsites. Of those, only 46 campsites are located between Tahoe City and Zephyr Cove, meaning only two percent of all campsites are in North Lake Tahoe,” said Blake Riva, managing partner at Mountainside Partners. “A new campground in North Lake Tahoe will serve to address the imbalance of campsites within the Tahoe Basin, as well as enhance and support the recreational opportunities available to families visiting the region.”
Located near Brockway Summit off of SR 267, the Brockway Campground is situated between Northstar Resort and the Fibreboard Freeway, a paved, seasonal road that provides access to the Watson Lake Campground and nearby recreational trails. The campground will provide convenient access to the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) and other existing mountain biking and hiking trails that are open for public use and recreation in the area.
“We look forward to learning more about how the Brockway Campground will enhance the recreational opportunities available to TRT users,” said Mary Bennington, executive director of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. “The location would ideally provide thru hikers with access to amenities that haven’t been available before including water, secure parking and the ability to store extra supplies in long-term bear boxes.”
The Brockway Campground application as submitted proposes 550 campsites, which is 282 campsites less than what is allowable for the project. This represents a 34 percent reduction from the number of allowable campsites. Campground amenities are anticipated to include restrooms and showers, guest registration, gathering areas, family pavilions, a swimming pool, a general store, dining, and other features.
Designed by Bud Surles, the former assistant superintendent of Yellowstone National Park and chief of concessions for the National Park Service, and the experienced team at Bud Surles Consulting Group (BSCG), the Brockway Campground will be a model for “green” camping.
Eco-friendly, environmentally sensitive practices and materials will be used including solar power, low-flow and automatic shut-off plumbing fixtures, gas fire pits, LED lighting that minimizes night sky effects, and more. Shuttle services will also be provided from the campground to and from nearby recreational and shopping locations to reduce vehicle trips once guests are on-site.
“The Brockway Campground has the potential to truly become one of the most iconic campgrounds in the west,” said Bud Surles, chief executive officer of BSCG. “Knowing and understanding the sensitivities related to operating in the Tahoe Basin, we’ve given tremendous thought and consideration to every element of the Brockway Campground. Important factors such as guest access and the types of camping experiences to be offered, how the design blends with the area and natural resources, and what eco-friendly elements should be integrated in order for the campground to be sustainable have all been thought through and incorporated into the design plans.”
According to the 2015 North American Camping Report, camping stands out as a vacation option that has both practical and emotional benefits. Key reasons cited for camping include the ability to reconnect with nature and the outdoors, to reduce stress and to allow time to be spent with family and friends. Many of those who participated in the survey indicated that camping improves family relationships.
Both the TRPA and Placer County will review the proposed Brockway Campground project and complete the environmental review process. Each agency’s review process will provide opportunities for public comment.
To learn about the process and dates, interested parties can visit the Placer County website or call the project’s lead County planner, Stacy Wydra at (530) 581-6288.
For more information, or to stay updated with news related to the Brockway Campground, visit www.brockwaycampground.com.
Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Thanks for visiting his website at www.tahoeskiworld.com
