Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley is a solid choice if you’re bringing your dog to the Sierra Nevada for some serious outdoor time. The main draw for us was the free summer cable-car rides up to High Camp at 8,200 feet—dogs ride free, which is a nice perk. Once you’re up there, it’s genuinely impressive. You get these wide-open meadows where your dog can move around while you’ve got the sports complex nearby with an ice rink, pool, umbrella bar, and restaurant if you want to grab food.

The hiking here is extensive, with trails ranging from gentle walks to legitimately steep climbs depending on what you’re after. The landscape changes as you gain elevation, and the vistas actually live up to the hype. We saw a lot of different terrain in one afternoon, which kept things interesting for both of us. Water availability can be spotty on some trails, so bring more than you think you’ll need for your dog.

Beyond the skiing and summer activities, the village itself is welcoming to dogs. We found several outdoor dining spots where restaurants were comfortable having dogs at the tables, and the accommodations we checked out seemed genuinely set up for dogs rather than just tolerating them. The streets around the village are easy to walk, and the whole place doesn’t feel overcrowded even during peak season.

One thing to keep in mind: elevation matters. If your dog isn’t acclimated to higher altitudes, or if you’re not in good shape yourself, the steeper trails around High Camp and beyond can be challenging. Start with something moderate your first day. Also, weather shifts fast up there, so even in summer you’ll want a layer or a rain jacket in your pack. We spent a full weekend here and could’ve easily stayed longer with the number of trails available within reasonable driving distance.