Keep Tahoe Red, White & Blue: Volunteers Needed for Annual July 5th Cleanup
Every year, after the Fourth of July crowds clear out, Lake Tahoe’s shores are left littered with fireworks debris, food wrappers, and other trash. That’s why Keep Tahoe Blue is once again hosting its “Keep Tahoe Red, White & Blue” Cleanup on the morning of Saturday, July 5, inviting locals and visitors alike to help restore the lake’s beauty.
This is the 12th year of Tahoe’s largest cleanup event, drawing hundreds of volunteers who want to give back to the place they love. Many even plan their vacations around the effort. From 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., volunteers will comb through popular beaches and surrounding areas to pick up litter, sort recyclables, and collect data that helps identify pollution trends and drive long-term solutions.
Cleanup locations include:
- Kings Beach State Recreation Area and nearby beaches
- Zephyr Cove and Shoals
- Kiva Beach and Camp Richardson
Registration and full site list: keeptahoeblue.org/july5
The cleanup is part of a larger initiative: the Tahoe Blue Beaches program, which partners with beach resorts and public agencies to promote sustainable recreation. Resorts like Zephyr Cove, Meeks Bay, and Tahoe Beach Club are all taking part, as is Kings Beach through TOT-TBID community funding.
If you’re heading to Tahoe this weekend, remember these simple tips:
- Pick up your trash (and others’ too)
- Use reusable gear and avoid single-use plastics
- Respect wildlife and keep food scraps out of nature
- Clean, drain, and dry all water gear to prevent invasive species
- Carpool, bike, or use public transportation
- Be kind, be patient, and leave no trace
This is more than just a cleanup—it’s a chance to show what loving Tahoe really looks like.
