Most hiking trails around Lake Tahoe — and there are hundreds — can be enjoyed in the company of your dog. For a short hike with liquid rewards, pack a picnic and take an easy, 3.5-mile round-trip stroll to gorgeous Fallen Leaf Lake, the second largest body of water in the Tahoe Basin and easily accessible from a parking lot just off Highway 89. Also easy-going is the mile-in, mile-out Cascade Falls trail, accessed from a trailhead at Inspiration Point near Emerald Bay. If you prefer to ditch the crowds, set out from the Meeks Bay trailhead, which accesses a chain of lakes in Desolation Wilderness above the lake. The 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail encircles Lake Tahoe and can be accessed from many points; plan it right and one of your party can take public transportation or a private shuttle back to your car. The Spooner Summit section offers a variety of scenic options, from a two-mile hike around Spooner Lake to multi-day backpacking trips.
A quick note on leash rules: Dogs must be leashed in California state parks and on many trails near Emerald Bay. On national forest land, leashes aren’t required by law, but responsible off-leash hiking means solid voice recall and staying on trail. Desolation Wilderness requires a free day permit (self-register at trailheads), and dogs must be under control at all times.
Another alternative is to take a lift straight up to the views you’d otherwise have to work hard to get. At Palisades Tahoe and Northstar-at-Tahoe, you and your dog can ride a ski lift to the ridgetops, enjoy the panoramas and either hike or ride back down.
Looking for something a little more civilized? Visit the 74-acre Tallac Historic Site, an enclave of rustic summer estates at Lake Tahoe built by socially elite San Francisco families around the turn of the 20th century. In summer, you and your pup can peer inside windows and doors at historic displays that bring the Gilded Age to life. Guided walks and demonstrations are offered throughout the season, along with special events such as car shows and a music festival.
Whatever trail you choose, summer hiking at altitude means strong sun and thin air. Bring more water than you think you’ll need — for both of you — and start early to beat the afternoon heat. Your dog will thank you with a long, happy nap on the drive home.
