Tahoe Rim Trail
The whole lake, from the ridges around it
⏱ 2 hours to 2 weeks👤 All agesFree
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The trail was built mostly by volunteers over decades and completed in 2001, and the Tahoe Rim Trail Association still organizes volunteer crews that maintain it. The association also manages about 30 miles of side and connector trails. The variety along the loop is part of its appeal: wildflower meadows near Mount Rose, open granite ridges above the East Shore, dense forests on the north side, and the granite lakes of Desolation Wilderness on the west.
How to do it well: for a first visit, choose one section based on where you are staying. From Incline Village, start at Tahoe Meadows on the Mount Rose Highway. From Stateline, use the Van Sickle connector or the Kingsbury trailheads. From the East Shore, start at Spooner Summit. Carry more water than you think you need, start early to avoid afternoon storms, and check the association's current trail conditions page for closures and bike rules. For backpacking in Desolation Wilderness, get a permit in advance.
Practicals and fit: dozens of trailheads around the basin; no fee to hike. The main season runs July through October, with lower sections usable for snowshoeing in winter. Plan two hours to a full day for a day section, and about two weeks for the full loop. Best for hikers, mountain bikers, backpackers and outdoors-focused couples.
What to Expect
Format
A 165-plus-mile trail around the ridges of the Tahoe Basin, with dozens of trailheads for day hikes, sections open to mountain biking and horseback riding, and backpacking through wilderness areas.
Best Time
July through October, after the snow melts; early mornings, before summer thunderstorms.
Duration
Two hours to a full day for a section; about two weeks for the whole loop.
Tips
Pick a section near where you are staying. Carry plenty of water. Check the association's trail conditions page for closures and bike rules. Desolation Wilderness overnight trips require permits.
⚡ Quick Picks
Best For
Big lake views from the ridges, on whatever section fits your day.
Families
The flat Tahoe Meadows interpretive loop near Mount Rose works well for children.
Couples
An early ridge hike with a picnic and a view over the whole lake.
Pair With
Van Sickle Bi-State Park on the South Shore, or Spooner Lake on the East Shore.
Time Needed
Two hours to a full day for a section.
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Get Tickets →Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Tahoe Rim Trail?
More than 165 miles around the Tahoe Basin. Most thru-hikers take about two weeks, and most visitors hike one day section.
Where should I start a day hike?
Tahoe Meadows on the Mount Rose Highway for the North Shore, Spooner Summit for the East Shore, and the Van Sickle connector or Kingsbury trailheads for the South Shore.
Can I mountain bike on it?
On most sections, yes. Some sections are closed to bikes and some allow bikes only on alternate days, so check the current rules before you ride.
Do I need a permit?
Day hiking is free and needs no permit on most sections. Overnight trips through Desolation Wilderness require a wilderness permit.
When is the trail snow-free?
Usually from about July through October, depending on the winter. Lower sections near trailheads can be snowshoed in winter.
More Lake Tahoe Attractions
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Van Sickle Bi-State Park
A free trail park straddling the California-Nevada line right behind Heavenly Village — walk from the casinos into pine forest and granite outcrops with lake views, and connect to the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Spooner Lake and Backcountry
The quiet Nevada side of Lake Tahoe State Park — an aspen-ringed mountain lake with an easy loop trail, the gateway to Marlette Lake and the Flume Trail, and free groomed Nordic trails in winter.
Tahoe East Shore Trail
Three paved miles hanging over the lake's clearest water — a stunning bike-and-stroll path from Incline Village to Sand Harbor, with boulder coves below, bridges cantilevered off the granite, and the parking-free way into the famous beach.