Dog-Friendly Activities in Olympic Valley, CA

Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram in Olympic Valley, CA, is dog friendly during the off-season. When ski season comes to an end, grab your pooch and head to the aerial tram for a beautiful 10-minute ride. There is a charge to ride up the mountain but, if you hike up to high camp (elevation 8200 ft) with Fido, the tram will give you both a ride down for free. The best way to hike up is the Shirley Lake Trail. It's a 3-hour hike with a rest stop at the popular dog-friendly swimming hole, Shirley Lake. The restaurant at the top of the tram also welcomes Fido at the outdoor tables.

Branded as one of Lake Tahoe's best half-day hikes, Shirley Canyon Trail in Olympic Valley is pet friendly! Leashed dogs can hike with you alongside waterfalls, granite boulders, and views of Squaw Valley on this 3.6-mile trek. Shirley Canyon Trail can be difficult to follow, so owners are warned to wear hiking boots. Hikers should be sure to follow this general rule: "keep the creek on your right and follow it up for about 2.5 miles until you come to giant granite rock slabs. You will cross over this section and continue up to Shirley Lake." Information on how to access the trailhead, parking, hiking tips, and where dogs are not allowed in Squaw Valley can be found on its official website.

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.

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.

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.

During the summer months until September, Northstar at Tahoe offers free gondola rides for hiking and allows leashed dogs on the gondolas. It's beautiful family adventure! The village is very dog friendly, too.

The dog-friendly Bijou Community Park in South Lake Tahoe has tons of facilities, but also includes a free, fenced-in dog park where your pet can play off leash. The park features picnic and BBQ areas, two covered gazebos, sport facilities, an open meadow, skateboard park, disc golf and more.

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.

Treat yourself to an unforgettable, dog-friendly experience on beautiful Lake Tahoe! Tahoe Sport Fishing's captains are experienced in trolling, drifting and jigging and they’re here year round to guide you to the lake’s hot spots. They supply everything you need to fish and offer two departure times per day for both public and private charters. Leashed dogs are welcome with advanced notice.

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).

Leashed dogs are invited to join you at North Tahoe Regional Park, a spacious pet-friendly recreation area in Tahoe Vista, CA. This scenic park offers sports fields, hiking trails, camping opportunities, a disk golf course, and seasonal attractions which include Tahoe Treetop Adventure Parks and the Snow Play Area. Four-legged visitors can enjoy Tahoe Unleashed, a full-fenced dog park with separate areas for small and large dogs, a water fountain, bench seating, and pet waste stations.

Van Sickle Bi-State Park in South Lake Tahoe, CA, is dog friendly! There are lots of easy-to-moderate trails for dogs and their owners to enjoy. Pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash under six feet. The hours to access the park by car vary depending on what time of year you visit.

Carson City, NV, is home to the dog-friendly Skunk Harbor. Located on National Forest land, this spot is marked by a historic structure with stone cabins. The hike in can be challenging depending on the season, so if your pooch isn't a keen hiker, you may want to skip this one. Leashed dogs are welcome, as long as they are cleaned up after.

Leashed dogs are welcome at the pet-friendly Tallac Shoreline in South Lake Tahoe, C. Located on National Forest land, the area begins at the Camp Richardson fence and extends along the shoreline adjacent to the Tallac Historic Site. You and your pooch can hang out in the picnic area and on the beach. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess that is left behind.

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.

Located within Bijou Community Park in South Lake Tahoe, the Bijou Dog Park features off-leash areas for both small and large dogs. It is approximately 38,000 square feet of fun for dogs and their owners alike. A great place for socializing (both people and dogs); the dog park has grass areas, plenty of shade, benches for relaxing, pet sanitary stations, and water.

Clearly Tahoe is a dog-friendly company in Zephyr Cove, NV, offering Take & Go rentals of sit-on-top kayaks and stand-up paddleboards with no weight limit. Please note that clear kayaks are not included. They also offer two sizes of bike carts for dogs up to 100 lbs with pedal-assist e-bike rentals.

North Zephyr Cove Beach is a dog-friendly area north of the actual Zephyr Cove Resort in NV. Parking fees may apply, depending on where you leave your car. Note that the park does get crowded on the weekends, so ensure Fido is comfortable around crowds. The shore is rocky, so shoes are recommended to walk in the water.

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.

Patton Beach & Waterman's Landing is pet-friendly area in Carnelian Bay, CA. Leashed dogs are permitted on the eastern portion of the pebble beach and on the deck of the café. The property offers a free, nonmotorized "car top" boat launch site and stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals are available.