Tahoe Meadows South is a four-mile round trip that starts at the trailhead on the south side of Highway 431 (the Mt. Rose highway), just a quarter mile west of the summit. This is a reliable choice for hiking with your dog year-round since the trail stays open to hikers and equestrians every day. Bikers are allowed only on even-numbered days, so you won’t have to worry about traffic on most visits.

The hike begins through lush Tahoe Meadows where mid-July brings an impressive display of wildflowers. After three-quarters of a mile, you’ll cross Ophir Creek, a charming year-round stream that most dogs enjoy. The forest takes over after that—the scent of pungent pine replaces the meadow flowers as you enter a lodgepole forest that provides good shade on warmer days.

When you join the Ophir Creek Trail, turn left and head south for about 0.2 miles until the trail opens back onto the meadow. This is where things get interesting. Breaking away from the Ophir Creek Trail, the Tahoe Rim Trail turns right and climbs gently uphill. After a short 250-foot elevation gain, you’ll get those majestic views of Lake Tahoe that make the effort worthwhile. For the next mile, you head south along sandy terrain along the western slope of the ridge.

This subalpine forest is quite open and exposed, with a mix of firs, pines, and hemlocks. It’s a straightforward out-and-back route—you can push as far as you want into those views, then retrace your steps back to the car. The sandy trail is easy on paw pads, and the open forest means your dog won’t overheat. Bring water since there aren’t reliable water sources along the main trail after the creek crossing, even though it’s not a strenuous hike.