Dog-Friendly Activities in Tahoe City, CA

Truckee River Rafting in Tahoe City, CA, offers dog-friendly, self-guided rafting trips along a peaceful 5-mile stretch of the Truckee River for you and your pup. The scenic rafting trips are appropriate for nearly all ages and athletic abilities. The rafting trip takes 2-4 hours to complete. You are welcome to bring a small cooler with snacks and beverages to enjoy on your trip. Leashed dogs up to 50 lbs are permitted.

Dogs are welcome to join you as you take to the water on a Tahoe City Kayak rental in Tahoe City, CA. While rentals are pet friendly, dogs are not allowed in the Tahoe City Kayak building. One dog owner will have to embark with the rental and meet their pooch and rowing partner at the public pier for pickup. Rates and hours vary by rental. Bookings can be made online.

Portions of the Tahoe Rim Trail in Tahoe City, CA, are dog friendly. Regulations vary depending on what segment of the 165-mile long trail you are enjoying. Dogs on the trail should be kept leashed around other trail users, at trailheads, and on steep or slippery terrain. Make sure your dog is also under voice control at all times. The multi-use trail is on the banks of Lake Tahoe and has views of mountain cascades in the distance. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association recommends winter trailhead parking at 64-Acre Park in Tahoe City, Brockway West trailhead, Mt. Rose Summit trailhead, or Kingsbury North trailhead (off North Benjamin Road).

64-Acres Beach is a pet-friendly area on National Forest land in Tahoe City, CA. Park up in the small parking area on the lake side and hop on the pathway that leads to a pretty picnic area. There are also toilets here for public use. Alternatively, you can take the pathway to the river's edge where canoes, kayaks and rafts can be launched. Leashed dogs are welcome on the beach at this location.

Skylandia State Park is a dog-friendly recreational area in Tahoe City, CA. Fido is allowed in the park area, but not on the beach. Skylandia Park provides bike trails, hiking trails, and picnicking. Bring your pooch to hang out, but remember to avoid the beach. Dog owners are also reminded to clean up any mess that is left behind.

Tahoe City Dog Park is a small, seasonal dog park located just behind Rosies Cafe, next to Conners Field where dogs can run off leash. It's perfect for smaller dogs or if your dogs need a quick car break. There's parking, water, available and trash receptacles are available but you need to bring your own bag. Please note the park closes for the winter after the first snow to protect the grass in the park.

Tahoe State Recreation Area in Tahoe City, CA, is a beautiful dog-friendly area that features a lake with a fishing pier, picnic areas with benches, and a bike path. Fido must be kept on a leash no longer than 6' and is only permitted in the Truckee River Outlet known as "Gatekeepers" within the day-use area along the Lake Tahoe shoreline. The campground is seasonal, so it's worth contacting them directly before you plan a trip to make sure that they are open, although they usually open up at the end of May.

The dog-friendly Tahoe City Winter Sports Park in California offers a variety of fun activities for the whole family, including Fido! Enjoy a safe sledding hill away from trees and streets, cross country ski trails, and a snowshoe loop for all ages and abilities.

Burton Creek State Park is a dog-friendly hiking destination on the outskirts of Tahoe City, CA. Fido is welcome to join you on the fire roads but not on the designated ski trails within the Sierra District from November 1st to May 1st when snow is present. While exploring the 2,000-acre park with your best friend, it is essential to note that the terrain is mountainous and uneven.

Lake Tahoe Loop in Tahoe City, CA, is a 72-mile, pet-friendly drive that takes roughly three hours to complete, but you can spend a lot longer if you stop to take in the incredible sights along the way. Take a break at Inspiration Point for a short walk along a paved pathway with your pooch to a stunning overlook of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island. Or, take a quick detour near Incline Village for elevated views of the water at Lake Tahoe Scenic Overlook.

Tahoe City Golf Course is a pet-friendly course in Tahoe City, CA. Bring your dog along for a round of golf at this pretty course next to Lake Tahoe. Pups are welcome to join their owners in golf carts and on a leash as you make your way with your pack from pristine hole to pristine hole.

History buffs and mutts can hang out together at Gatekeeper’s Museum, a pet-friendly museum in Tahoe City, CA. Dogs are welcome to join you in this reconstructed cabin as you learn about the maritime history of Lake Tahoe, hear about the resort and pop culture of the past and see one of the largest Native American basket collections in the country. Fido can make a splash at nearby 64-Acres Beach when you’re finished.

Dive into the shadowy streets of Tahoe City, CA with dog-friendly US Ghost Adventures. Fido is welcome to join you for a spine-tingling nightly ghost tour, available year-round. Their haunted history experts will guide you through the city’s most notorious haunted locations, including the Watson Cabin Museum, Tahoe City Public Beach and Heritage Plaza.

Tahoe City Public Utility District Multi-Use Trail System, previously the Truckee River Bike Trail, is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Previously an unused railroad corridor, this dog-friendly "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in Tahoe City! The map below shows a parking area with convenient access to the Truckee River Bike Trail. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has generously provided map data for this trail to Bring Fido for informational purposes only. For more detailed trail information, please visit TrailLink.com.

Leashed dogs are allowed in developed areas of Ward Creek Park Property in Tahoe City, CA. This includes campsites, paved roads and paths, dirt fire roads, picnic and day-use areas, and paved parking areas. Access to the dog-friendly trails can be found at the Highway 89 bike path, or you can park at one of the trailheads off Timberland Drive. Dogs are not allowed on beaches or dirt trails.

Tahoe XC welcomes dogs of all sizes to join you on more than five miles of its pet-friendly ski trails in Tahoe City, CA. Skijoring is not allowed on the trails, but Fido can enjoy the snow alongside you as you cross country ski. Leashes are required in the parking lot and at the trailhead, but as long as your pup remains under your voice control, he can enjoy the trail leash-free.

Leashed dogs are welcome at the wonderful dog-friendly Kiva Beach in South Lake Tahoe. East of Tallac Point, dogs are permitted on a leash (an El Dorado Country ordinance). Dogs are not permitted on the federally protected wetlands west of Tallac Point (where the Lake of the Sky trail concludes).This is for the protection of wildlife in this fragile ecosystem.

Donner Memorial State Park is one of the most pet-friendly state parks in California. Located in Sierra Nevada in Truckee, CA, you and Fido will discover camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, water-skiing, and hiking at this state park. Although pets aren't allowed on all of the trails, like most state parks in California, they are permitted to join you in the water, on paved roads, and in camping and picnic areas. Keep an eye out for the dog entrance signs for an easy access to the lake for you and Fido. Dogs are allowed on the Lakeside Interpretive Trail, Zig Zag Trail, fire roads, and along the shore of Donner Lake except for China Cove Beach. Dogs are not allowed in the visitor center, on the half-mile Nature Trail, or China Cove Beach, nor can they be on designated ski trails when snow is present.

Day Go Adventures is a pet-friendly rental company in Stateline, NV. Bring Fido for an adventure on the water by renting a clear kayak, SUP or a range of other rentals. Dogs up to 35 lbs are welcome to join their owners on an outdoor experience; they even offer life vests for your furry friend. Call to find out what size rental will best suit the dog you are bringing.

Incline Village, NV, is home to the dog-friendly State Park, Spooner Lake and Backcountry. The area comprises a lake surrounded by aspens and more than 12,000 acres of forested, open space. With 50 miles of hiking trails to explore, you and Fido will never be stuck for things to do in the area. Dogs are welcome to join you as long as they are on a leash and all mess is cleaned up after them.