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Fallen Leaf Campground

Overview

Fallen Leaf Campground is situated on the north shore of Fallen Leaf Lake and adjacent to Taylor Creek. The south shore of Lake Tahoe is less than a mile away. The campground features 206 sites that include six yurts and standard tent and RV sites. The campground is typically open from mid-May through mid-October. Fallen Leaf Lake is less crowded and not as well-known as Lake Tahoe, making this a great base camp for exploring the many sights and recreational activities in the area. It's a popular campground and tends to fill quickly.

Recreation

Both Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe offer opportunities for non-motorized and motorized boating, tubing, waterskiing and windsurfing. Fishing is available at both lakes, but anglers generally have better luck at Lake Tahoe. Guests can swim in Fallen Leaf Lake, even though there are no designated swimming areas. The south shore of Lake Tahoe offers the Pope and Baldwin swim beaches.

Hikers can access the 1-mile Moraine Trail from the campground. The Taylor Creek Visitor Center is directly across Highway 89 and has interpretive programs, guided walks on the Rainbow Trail and to the Stream Profile Chamber.

The Glen Alpine and Mt. Tallac trailheads are nearby for excellent day hiking and backpacking in the Desolation Wilderness. The Pope-Baldwin bike path parallels Highway 89.

Facilities

Each yurt provides a cabin-like space for a family of five or six people. The yurts sit on a wooden platform and have an electric light and space heater, but no additional electric plug-ins. Interior furnishings include a futon and bunk beds with mattresses. Cooking supplies and bedding are not provided.

The tent and RV sites have paved parking aprons. Each yurt and standard site has a bear-proof food storage locker, campfire ring, pedestal grill and picnic table.

Coin-operated shower facilities, water spigots and accessible restrooms with flush toilets are scattered throughout the campground. A camp host is on-site, and firewood and supplies can be purchased from the camp store. A public phone is also available.

Natural Features

The campsites do not offer views of either the lake or Taylor Creek, but they are nestled among towering native pine, cedar, fir and aspen. Some are adjacent to wildflower meadows. Guests only need to walk a short distance to Fallen Leaf Lake, where the forested shoreline and surrounding mountains are reflected in its crystal-clear waters. Prominent peaks include Cathedral Peak (8,200 feet) and Mount Tallac (9,735 feet). The surrounding woods provide habitat for squirrels, racoons, chipmunks and a variety of birds. The campground has some resident black bears that are often seen by guests; please be safe around bears.

Nearby Attractions

A century ago, what is now the Tallac Historic Site held the ''Grandest Resort in the World'' and the summer retreats for three of San Francisco Bay Area's socially elite families. Today, the remains of the resort and the restored estates attract thousands of visitors annually to recapture this bygone and significant era in Tahoe's history.

Contact Info

This location has limited staffing. Please call (530) 541-1537 for general information.

Charges & Cancellations

Rules & Reservation Policies

As you make travel plans that include reservations on Recreation.gov, there are standard policies that apply to most locations of which you should be aware. Do keep in mind, however, that there are many exceptions, so it is best to review reservation information listed on individual facility pages for those policies and procedures that pertain to your specific locations.

Any location or activity requiring a permit or lottery will have unique requirements and policies. Please check individual facility pages for pertinent information for those sites.

Booking Window

For most locations, you can reserve six months in advance of your stay for individual sites and 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility.

Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees

Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation.

Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.

You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Tours & Tickets: You may request changes to tour dates at no cost before the arrival date. If you cancel before your tour date, you may be eligible for a refund. Cancellation fees apply. Please check the tour facility description details page for cancellation policies.

Permits: Varies by location. Please check the permit details for the permit location.

Late Cancellations

Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival.

Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply.

Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.

Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.

Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge.

No-Shows

Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date.

If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees.

Tours: A tour or ticket no-show is one who does not cancel a ticket before arrival and does not arrive for the tour. Tour no-shows are not entitled to a refund.

Refunds

Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure.

Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location.

Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card.

Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.

Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure.

Recreation.gov Billing Information

Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777."

Changes to Policies and Procedures

Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July 

Camp site features

Across 204 camp sites:

  • Picnic table: 188 of 204 sites
  • Pets allowed: 189 of 204 sites
  • ADA accessible: 6 of 204 sites
  • Longest rig: 187 ft
  • Largest party: 6 people

Directions

From South Lake Tahoe, take Highway 89 North from the junction of State Highway 50 and 89. In 3 miles, turn left on Fallen Leaf Road. The campground is about half a mile on the right.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

Ratings (1,502)
5 stars
1,038
4 stars
278
3 stars
100
2 stars
55
1 stars
31
Aleksey M
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:108
Reviewed a day ago
Super strict place. I had an hour till checkout and staff were already reminding me about that. No phone service. Have to pay for dump station.
Trevor M
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:020
Reviewed a day ago
Do not recommend this site for an RV. We were unable to get our 25' travel trailer level side to side due to the slope of the site. Also, the small trees presented issues for positioning with slides and stairs.
Deanna G
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:188
Reviewed 2 days ago
I am so happy I was able to snag a spot for this campground. The bathroom nearest to my cam site was as clean as it can get! The campground overall was very well taken care of. I will say that I felt pressured when checking in due to the big line. I did want to ask more questions but knew there were only 1-2 staff memembers checking people in. Great experience overall!
Cecilia R
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:124
Reviewed 2 days ago
If you are lucky enough to score a site at Fallen Leaf Campground you will enjoy the experience.
Marta B
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:182
Reviewed 2 days ago
Fallen Leaf Lake is by far my favorite Tahoe campground. The campsites are spacious and shaded, and campers can easily walk or bike to both lakes. What I like most is that campers appear to be respectful of the area and of each other. Quiet time really does start at 10 pm there.
Kurt G
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:195
Reviewed 2 days ago
the campground was very well maintained by the staff. Every night we were there it was quiet. Our site was well shaded from the hot sun and the weather was very pleasant
Guoping F
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:053
Reviewed 2 days ago
Site 53 is actually spacious. Enough for a RV and another car. Loved the quiet location.
Richard V
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:060
Reviewed 2 days ago
Site 55 - Spaces are pretty large. Area was very clean, bathrooms and showers were very clean. Absolutely no issues here and I already booked another stay in September. Loved the fact that the lake was within walking/hiking distance.
Ed M
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:156
Reviewed 3 days ago
Good well maintained facilities and grounds. No loud partying late into the night when I was there. Only wish they had a tent only area to get away from the RV'ers electric generators.
David E
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:122
Reviewed 4 days ago
Fallen leaf lake and Tahoe lake hikes and swimming very good
Michael H
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:103
Reviewed 4 days ago
Lots of reviews here about the overbearing Camp Hosts and poor Customer Service. 100% true. Rude, overbearing, and unreasonable
Tammy S
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:089
Reviewed 5 days ago
I have been camping at Fallen Leaf Lake every July for the past 16 years. Sadly this year was far different than usual. The camp hosts this year were rude and aggressive. I watched as one woman host ran up and was literally screaming at a woman who was trying to load her kids after a day at the lake. This host continued screaming at her even as she tried to move her car. It was incredibly embarrassing that a Camp Host would behave in this manner. Another day, this same host accosted another camper who was loading a SUP. Again, screaming and aggressive she demanded they move. As they tried moving along she kept at them and when they pointed out that she was holding up traffic she screamed "Don't tell me what I am doing!!!". I understand that you may not park in certain areas but as a Camp Host you should have better customer service and people skills that to immediately start screaming. I also saw a woman who had her little dog with her and she came out of the bathroom and was immediately yelled at by another host and told she should have tied her dog up outside alone. Coyotes and bears are very common here so that made no sense at all. Additionally the speed limit in the campground is 10mph yet the hosts are racing around at 3X that speed in their carts. My husband was returning from a golf outing and a local friend was dropping him off. The host in the kiosk required he pay $10 for a day pass in order to be dropped at our campsite. They told him he would have to carry his golf clubs and day pack to the other side of the campground or pay the $10. Ridiculous! Over the many years I have camped there the hosts have been friendly, pleasant and helpful. Not anymore. Now they spend their days riding around looking for any kind of rule violation. Don't let a single wheel sit off the pavement or they will scream at you while workers cars are parked anywhere. I was told there is new management so that could be the source of the problem. It's a shame.
Cindy V
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:107
Reviewed 5 days ago
Great campground. Site was very spacious and shady. It was a long walk to the lake access though.
Lucy P
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:183
Reviewed 5 days ago
No thanks
Carol M
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:167
Reviewed 5 days ago
Generators are allowed to run from 6am until 10 pm at night not an enjoyable sound. Camp spots are overcrowded 6 person limit didn’t seem to be enforced with more than allowed vehicles at sites. Separate loops for tent campers & rvs might be helpful & shorten generator hrs. CA state parks are 10am-8pm. Yellowstone 8am-8 pm.
Heather P
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:152
Reviewed 6 days ago
I love fallen leaf and this campsite was convenient for a single night stay for my partner and I. I love the proximity and privacy the lake has.
Andrea E
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:148
Reviewed 6 days ago
I can say as a native local I will not be visiting the fallen leaf camp ground again. Most the woman especially the one from Mississippi is very rude. She needs to retire. They don’t like locals out there! Except to pay 10 to drop off your young kid at their friends camp ground or if your having car trouble. But don’t worry they still don’t have WiFi even though they could have it for the guest. Don’t expect to get any privacy as there are 40 golf carts driving fast “security “ to regulate! Have a beach pass? They want you to now check in at the camp ground and at the parking lot.
Terri T
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:006
Reviewed 7 days ago
We love this place. The only issue is that they only have so many Long & Pull Thru Spaces and they let Tent Campers and Small RV's rent them. We have a 40' Motorhome. This really limits our choices for a campground. There are way more camping spaces for Tents and small RV's than for Motorhomes. They need to change this.
Corinna E
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:023
Reviewed 7 days ago
This is the most spacious quieter campground in that area. We did see a bear but we were able to chase it off and it did not return. Nice to have showers. Quiet at night.
Jacqueline G
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:049
Reviewed 7 days ago
Huge site (49) in a “round about” parking area. This didn’t work out too well for us since we have a rooftop tent and made it hard to have privacy from the other sites. Bathrooms close by and always clean. No soap in bathroom so take your own. Showers nearby. Only stayed here one night since we were staying 4 days and had to switch to a different site (110) for the remaining days. 110 was significantly a better fit for us as a family of 4 with little kids, more private. But this site is great too. Very spacious and perfect for hammocks.
Paulette T
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:060
Reviewed 8 days ago
We just love this campsite. It is always very clean. The staff is always very attentive and helpful. The bathrooms are always incredibly clean. The shower showers are hot and also very clean. The sites are a very nice space apart so that you are not on top of your fellow camper It is quiet and also a very friendly place.
Andy P
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:141
Reviewed 8 days ago
Very happy to enjoy the nature at fallen leaf lake campground was clean bathroom or shower room and camp area
Jennifer K
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:074
Reviewed 9 days ago
The lake is beautiful and relaxing.
William S
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:020
Reviewed 10 days ago
I've been here many many times in the last few years. Campground is always clean and the staff are nice and pleasant to work with. I usually pick the sites I'm familiar with but it's extremely hard to get in without a reservation. I prefer perimeter because the interior sites are pretty tightly knitted. So last trip I picked a site that became vacant but didn't really know what it looked like. This particular site (20) was on a slight slope. So the picnic table which are heavy and huge was a good 30 ft from the fire ring and the campsite barbecue that were placed on an upslope. The ring on the fire pit itself was almost 3 ft above ground. So you would have needed a bonfire to even see the flame and if you wanted to roast wieners you'd have to stand there and stick them down into the ring. Sitting in the chair roasting wieners and having a beer in the evening is a favorite thing. Needless to say I didn't have a fire. I was told this is an old section and they're constantly remodeling those. I told them they needed a new site planner. Still one of my favorite places, but I wasted 2 days of the 14 days per season you are allowed annually. It's your first trip there and you want to come back sometime, drive around and write down the number of the site(s) you like or don't like and you won't have the disappointment I had.
Anna F
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:174
Reviewed 11 days ago
Love this place.
Tayla M
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:056
Reviewed 11 days ago
Missed the memo that the showers only take tokens! Checked in after hours & wasn’t until I was in the shower, after waiting for one :’) , that I realised! Had to unlevel the van & drive to the kiosk at the entrance of the campground to get tokens, which only took dollar bills as well (involved two trips to ask our camp neighbours to swap us some bills for quarters). Would’ve been nice to have this information more obvious when we picked up our campsite slip at the entrance. Apart from that, this is a great big campground full of lovely woods with access to Fallen Leaf Lake. Very family friendly. We stayed at a site on the outer loop facing the forest which was awesome, felt very private. Our campsite was also very neat & well maintained. It is sign posted everywhere but bears are active here as well. Our neighbours didn’t lock their bear box properly & a bear figured this out quickly. It ate/ripped up all their stuff while they slept in their car.
Aparna K
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:047
Reviewed 12 days ago
One of the best campouts I have ever been to. The facilities are kept very clean. I will return to Fallen Leaf in future for sure.
Gary T
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:091
Reviewed 12 days ago
Great and beautiful camping area. Nice staff.
Shai K
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:073
Reviewed 13 days ago
Very nice campground with decent showers at reasonable price. Great location.
Arielle C
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:109
Reviewed 13 days ago
A beautiful campground with nice campsites, although it was hard in our specific site to find level ground for a tent. The bears are active here in the summer!
Scott S
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:055
Reviewed 13 days ago
Great campsite. Close to Lake Tahoe, but far enough away from the crowds. Plus the quieter option of Fallen Leaf Lake. Easy access to the miles of bike trails on the southern end of Tahoe, you can easily keep your car parked all weekend. Just be very bear-aware. Food left out for even a short amout of time can attract bears. You'll likely come across at least one bear, and hear other campsites dealing with them. Kind of added to the fun of the weekend!
Diane A
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:181
Reviewed 14 days ago
Check-in was very easy. The volunteers even added my lifetime pass to the campsite. Everyone was polite and helpful.
William F
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:140
Reviewed 14 days ago
Always are favorite campground but this year management is over zealous in rule enforcement but looks the other way when it comes to their own staff. We were told to put our dog on a leash when their staff in site 14 used a chuck it every night to throw a ball for their two dogs in the meadow behind their site. We were admonished for having one side of our truck in the dirt on one side of our driveway and the same employee who took the time to leave a courtesy notice on our truck parked his own truck in a similar fashion in his site. Staff needs to lead by example
Ashleigh S
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:162
Reviewed 14 days ago
Great location between fallen leaf and Tahoe. Quiet campground even on the 4th of July.
CHRIS F
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:188
Reviewed 15 days ago
Campground was great. Lake was beautiful, however access is limited as there is no parking for campers. You must walk or bike to the lake. Or pay a separate fee to utilize day use parking lot (not included with camping fee). This makes it difficult, maybe impossible, for elderly or those with disabilities to access the lake. The primary reason for just 1 star is how terrible the camp hosts were. We have been camping for decades and have never experienced such aggressive, hostile hosts. We had family members in 2 other campsites, and they also had negative interactions with the camp hosts. We will never return as long as the campground is being managed by the current set of hosts.
Ryan D
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:192
Reviewed 16 days ago
Bears going rounds at night. They keep visiting and walking around waking us up. Our food was in the bear box and we never left anything out. Nothing happened but it was scary for the kids. One bathroom stall shower was not working and the other stall keeps eating tokens. We will not be coming back again because of the bears. Lake was nice though
MaryJo W
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:098
Reviewed 17 days ago
We had a great time. We were very impressed with the spaces between the campsites and the quietness of the campers. The campers were very enjoyable to interact with. And… No loud music 👍
Rebecca J
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:065
Reviewed 18 days ago
Staff at the check-in kiosk were unfriendly. After we had our reservation pass on our windshield, we still had to wait in line behind campers checking in for the first time. There is a lane to allow already checked-in campers to show pass and go on through, but the staff closed that lane. Ridiculous and inconvenient. There was no monitoring of loose dogs running around at Fallen Leaf Lake. Some were aggressive. Cell service is still mostly non-existent. Fallen Leaf is our favorite place to camp and we've been there in July for 42 years. Please educate the kiosk staff about treating campers kindly and moving the traffic through the lanes.
Aaron L
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:123
Reviewed 18 days ago
I stayed at Fallen Leaf Campground, Site 123, from Tuesday, June 30 through Thursday, July 2. My family and I have been camping here for the past 20 years, and this year’s trip was definitely a little more exciting than most. During our stay, a fire broke out at the neighboring campsite, Site 121. Another camper and I immediately responded and began working to put out the fire, which had already burned two trees at the site. We were soon joined by several other campers who also jumped in to help. Thankfully, everyone worked together quickly and we were able to get the fire under control before it could spread any further into the campground. I’m very grateful that we were there and able to help. It was definitely an unexpected and memorable moment during our stay, and seeing other campers come together so quickly to help made the experience even more meaningful. Despite the excitement, Fallen Leaf remains a special place for our family, and after 20 years of visiting, we look forward to continuing the tradition for many more years.
Laura D
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:013
Reviewed 19 days ago
A beautiful campground with great spacing, easy access to trails and bike paths, beautiful lake, etc. would come and camp again.
Joe E
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:112
Reviewed 20 days ago
It’s simply too big, too many sites. It’s ideal for family campers and beginners, but next time I will stay somewhere with fewer sites. I must include that the staff there are absolutely wonderful, that it’s well-kept and was not noisy at night.
Luke M
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:075
Reviewed 20 days ago
Super quiet and nice, lake is choppy in the wind but beautiful views of the stars and the mountains surrounding it
Kwang K
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:172
Reviewed 21 days ago
Beautiful campground. Clean facilities. Beautiful lake.
Kyle S
Loop:Yurts
Site:200
Reviewed 22 days ago
This is a very nice yurt and campsite in general. We were steps away from a bathroom. Nice meadow right next to us. Easy walk to showers. Campground is beautiful. Bears visited us every night. Keep that food locked up!
Kyle S
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:150A
Reviewed 22 days ago
No shade at 150a. I would not book this site again because of this or bring extra pop ups. It was very close to two bathrooms. Overall the campground is beautiful highly recommend
Amogh B
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:015A
Reviewed 22 days ago
Helpful park rangers, clean bathrooms nearby, bear lockers at each site and beautiful scenery with trails around the lake. Unpredictable wind conditions can limit campfire allowance.
Marcus L
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:031
Reviewed 23 days ago
The entire staff was very helpful and kept the campsite in good/clean condition. Showers were warm and only $1 for 3 minutes.
cimon s
Loop:Yurts
Site:114
Reviewed 24 days ago
We enjoyed our stay at Fallen Leaf Lake. There are not a lot of amenities, but the beauty of the lake and the area make up for it.
Rigis V
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:140
Reviewed 24 days ago
Beautiful camp ground, well maintained and quiet. Intense bear activity so be mindful with your belongings and food items.
Paul G
Loop:Area Fallen Leaf Campground
Site:180
Reviewed 24 days ago
This is a fantastic campground. The sites are spacious. The restrooms were always clean. The people who worked there were super nice and always helpful. I would recommend this campground to anyone. The Fallen Leaf Lake is close and easily accessible.
Popularity

Very busy · 93%

Busiest in July, when about 93% of sites are booked. Based on 9 years of reservations.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Location
P.O. Box 9047
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158

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