Use Regulations
Tahoe is an outdoor paradise for our furry friends! Like most trails in the Tahoe Basin, the Tahoe Rim Trail is dog-friendly. The regulations affecting you and your dog vary depending on the agency that manages that stretch of the trail. 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.
Trail Etiquette
You and your dog are both ambassadors for every dog owner that frequents the Tahoe Rim Trail. As a multi-use trail, it’s important to share the trail with others. Not every trail user is comfortable with dogs and often times it’s best to yield to other uses.
Reducing impacts
- Dog waste can contain fecal coliform bacteria. Please pack out dog waste on day hikes. Don’t forget bags on the trail! Use biodegradable dog waste bags instead of plastic. On longer trips, follow LNT practices and bury waste in a hole 6-8 inches deep. Be sure to bury it away from the trail and water sources.
- Hold the dog-to-human ratio at 1:1. If dogs outnumber people, it can be difficult to quickly control them.
- Do not allow your dog to disturb plants or wildlife.
Preparation
Preparation is key when bringing your dog on the trail! It’s important for owners when planning a trip on the Tahoe Rim Trail to make sure their dog has the endurance, physical fitness, and is well mannered. Many stretches of the trail are remote, with limited cell service, and have no water.
Helpful Tips
- Prevent paw-pad cuts and scrapes with the use of dog booties or topical barriers like mushers wax in winter months.
- Animals are attracted to your dog’s food. Store your dog’s food how you would store your own on overnight treks.
- Pack separate water just for your dog. There are long segments of trail that don’t have reliable water sources.
- Keep your dog away from all wildlife. The plague is an infectious bacterial disease spread by squirrels, chipmunks, and other wild rodents and their fleas.
- While not common in the Tahoe Basin, ticks have been spotted. Be sure to check your dog for ticks.
Gear
- A dog pack for larger dogs. Make sure packs don’t shift from side to side. Packs should fit snugly but still comfortable enough to place two fingers flat between your dog and the straps. Be sure to load weight evenly. The average dog can carry 10% of their body weight but be sure to not exceed 25%.
- A dog bowl- folding ones are great for reducing weight
- A first aid kit just for your dog.
- Keep track of dogs at night with a LED light or headlamp around their collar.
- A GPS tracker on a collar in case your dog gets lost.
- Sleeping gear; a sleeping bag and pad for your dog especially when it is cold.
For more information on what to bring check out the 10 Essentials for Hiking with Dogs.
