With its legendary blue water and stunning mountain skyline, it’s no wonder that Lake Tahoe is considered the Jewel of the Sierra. At 22 miles long and 12 miles wide straddling Nevada and California, Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. It’s also the second-deepest lake in the country! Millions of people come to Tahoe each year to lie on a beach or boat on the water. But while people are enjoying the water, there are always people looking down on it.
High in the Sierra Nevada mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe is the Tahoe Rim Trail. The 165-mile single-track trail is open to hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians. The Tahoe Rim Trail can be challenging, but it is a must-ride destination for equestrians in search of jaw-dropping scenery. Whether you plan to ride a section or the whole thing, here is your complete guide to riding the Tahoe Rim Trail!
Trail Basics
Landscape
The Tahoe Rim Trail is extremely diverse, ranging in elevation from 6,200 to 10,300 feet. The landscape includes tall pines, wildflower slopes, aspen groves, windswept granite passes, grassy meadows, panoramic ridges, craggy volcanic peaks, hidden alpine lakes, and nonstop picture-perfect vistas. Along the way you’re rewarded with bird’s-eye views of Lake Tahoe. Parts of the trail also coincide with the famed Pacific Crest Trail and the American Discovery Trail.
Terrain & Footing
Depending on the section, the Tahoe Rim Trail can range from beginner-friendly to very technical for horses, so it’s important to be prepared for the specific area you plan to ride. In general, the California side tends to be much rockier with granite cliffs and the Nevada side tends to feature softer wooded terrain. But no matter where you ride, expect to encounter water crossings, boulders, step-ups, step-downs, steep and narrow sections, busy road crossings, bridges, and other obstacles. Boots or shoes are recommended.
Weather
Snow levels vary each year, but usually the trail is rideable from late May/early June to September/October, or after the snow melts to before it sticks. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association sends trail crews out in the late spring to start clearing deadfall and washouts. The Sierra is mercurial, and storms can form quickly anytime of year, so check the forecast before you head out. Wildfire and smoke maps are also good to have on hand.
Water & Grass
There is abundant water along the trail in small lakes and creeks, though flow reduces throughout the summer into fall. Where there’s water, there are mosquitoes – so bring bug spray for you and your horse. Mosquito season tends to peak in late June and July, but there are always a few around. The wildflower blooms typically start in late spring and can run through the whole summer. There are scattered meadows along the trail where your horse can grab a snack, but some of those also tend to dry up by fall. Tick check your horse (and yourself) if you’ve ridden in wet, grassy areas.
Sharing the Trail
Some parts of the Tahoe Rim Trail are more popular than others. You can almost always expect to see hikers, backpackers, dogs, and bicyclists. As for wildlife, you may encounter black bears, mule deer, coyotes, marmots, and other critters. The trail is dog friendly, but be a good ambassador! Make sure your trail dog is under voice control at all times and pack out any poop along the trail.
Navigation
Signage along the trail is fantastic; look for the TRT logo triangle signs on trees and nice wooden signs at junctions. But there are many spur trails and roads, so make sure you have maps of some kind. Cell service is spotty in many areas. There is an active agricultural check station westbound on Highway 50 in Meyers, California.
Trail Regulations
- Do not hitch, tether, or hobble a horse or other saddle pack animal within 200 feet of a water source or within 100 feet of a campsite.
- In Desolation Wilderness (Echo Lake to Barker Pass) livestock is limited to two per person, or 12 livestock in one group.
- Equines are not allowed on the Tahoe Rim Trail between Relay Ridge and the Tahoe Meadows trailhead, including the Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Loop. The horse alternate route detours to Relay Peak Road (a dirt road closed to public vehicles) and Mt. Rose Highway.
- The only location on the Tahoe Rim Trail requiring a permit is Desolation Wilderness. Day use permits are free, self-issued, and available at all trailheads entering the wilderness. If you plan to camp, overnight permit information can be found here.
165 Mile Club
Intrepid riders can join the Tahoe Rim Trail Association’s 165 Mile Club by completing the entire trail! This achievement can be done in sections or in one thru ride. Take two weeks or twenty years – there is no time limit to complete the trail. All 165 Mile Club members receive certificates and patches and their names are added to the official records (along with their animals).
Stables & Lodging
There are no guest ranches or stables immediately surrounding Lake Tahoe for travelers to overnight with a horse. The closest venue for short term/overnight boarding is the Tahoe Donner Equestrian Center in Truckee.
Horse Trailer Parking
Finding somewhere to safely park and maneuver a horse trailer is one of the biggest challenges when planning a ride on the TRT. We’ve documented every equestrian access point around the trail with maps, photographs, and firsthand information about parking conditions.
Thru Riding the TRT
Riding the entire Tahoe Rim Trail at once is a very different undertaking from spending a day on the trail. Resupply, horse feed, water, camping, transportation, and wilderness regulations all become major considerations. We’ve put together a thru ride guide to get you started.
Additional Resources
Trail Maps
Official TRT Info
