If you’ve never had the chance to visit South Lake Tahoe, make sure you put it on your list. I lived there for 15 years and can tell you first hand, it is one of the most spectacular places to visit on this planet. Of course there’s the skiing and casino life, but the best thing about Lake Tahoe is the hiking.
Eagle Lake
Hiking with dogs to Eagle Lake
One of my favorites was Eagle Lake. It holds special memories for me because my sister, Lynn, and I used to hike it frequently when we couldn’t stand the hustle and bustle of South Lake Tahoe. Of all the places, it is the most serene, especially if you hike way beyond where the foot traffic ends. You will come across little pools of water (we often jumped into these to cool off), places where there are large slates of huge boulders and even a lake where you will see maybe one or two groups that actually bothered to hike that far. The trailhead is across from Emerald Bay and parking is easy. I understand that parking is now $3, but it is well worth it. Dogs are allowed on leash. Even so, I used to see many dogs prance through the forest unbound. One thing to keep in mind is the elevation is approximately 7,000. The hike climbs 400 feet from the trailhead and the roundtrip is about 2 miles. It makes for a great day for you and your pet. At least it did for my sister and I.
Horsetail Falls
Hiking Horsetail Falls with your Dog
Horsetail Falls was another favorite. My brother and I hiked there during the days when we had no fear. It is a 3-mile hike up Pyramid Creek trail. You need to really be careful as there were many times we went off the beaten path. I won’t go into detail about the dangerous positions we got in to because we are both alive to tell about it, but I highly recommend staying on the trail. There aren’t many people on this trail, which makes it a great place to get away. When the water is running in early spring, you will find this a peaceful, wonderful hike with your dog in Lake Tahoe’s beautiful outdoors. Again, parking is $3 and the trailhead is at a 6,125-foot elevation. Sandals are hard to hike in here. Dogs are allowed on leash and make sure, for their safety, to keep them on it.
Here are other places in South Lake Tahoe you may want to visit with your dog. Check out our Tahoe Travel Guide. Please feel free to share your experiences hiking with your pet. We love great stories. Better yet, we love hiking videos. Simply contact us and we will add them to our blogs.
Remember, booking early is essential when traveling with pets. See what’s available today so you get the best deals. Start your search for pet friendly hotels in Lake Tahoe here. Then sit back and think of all the fun things you can do when you get there!
