Lake Tahoe is at its glorious best in summer, but you have to be a very early riser to get a parking spot at a dog-friendly beach on weekends. Our advice: Sleep in, then head for High Camp, the high-altitude recreation complex at Palisades Tahoe where a pool, hot tub, roller rink, limitless hiking options and plenty of free parking await. There are two ways up: the dog-friendly Shirley Lake Trail or the iconic (and dog-friendly) aerial tram.
The former starts near the base village and follows a crashing stream up Shirley Canyon, climbing 2,000 vertical feet over four miles to reach the goal. Much scrambling over exposed granite slabs is involved, so bootie your dog or pay close attention to ensure their paws don’t get blistered on the hot rock. Use your judgment on whether to leash or unleash. It’s not required to leash dogs on national forest land, but this is rugged terrain where dogs can disappear from sight in an instant. Bring plenty of water for both of you, as there is limited shade on the upper sections and the climb is steady.
Allow three to four hours for the hike—and know you don’t have to commit. The waterfalls and swimming holes encountered about a mile in from the trailhead are so picture-perfect that you might decide to splash, play and call it a day right there. Dogs love these pools, and the granite slabs beside them make great spots to dry off in the sun. The bonus for persistence: You can ride the tram down from High Camp for free.
Riding up, on the other hand, is free for dogs but will cost their humans (see current rates here). Most dogs handle the tram ride well, though if yours is nervous about enclosed spaces or heights, the hike up might be the better call. High Camp, at 8,200 feet elevation, is a great place to hang out and enjoy the views, but it’s also the jumping-off point for a web of hiking trails that lead around a wildflower-strewn meadow, over a ridge into a vast wilderness area, or to the summits of still snow-flecked peaks. With food and beverage available on both ends of the trip, a day at High Camp easily ranks as one of the most rewarding summer experiences at Tahoe.
Note: Palisades Tahoe season pass-holders ride the tram for free, while active members of the military can purchase a summer pass.
