Permits and Regulations

Wondering what you need to know before getting out on the trail? The first half of this page discusses regulations on how to conduct yourself on trail. The second segment is to find the right permit(s) for your adventure. 

Trail Use Regulations

Click here to view an interactive map that displays use regulations along the trail.

Tahoe Rim Trail Regulations

  • The Tahoe Rim Trail is a multi-use trail open to hikers, bikers, and equestrians for the majority of its length. However, mountain bikes and equestrians are prohibited from some sections of the trail.
  • Dogs are allowed on all sections of the Tahoe Rim Trail. Owners are asked to keep dogs on a leash in high use areas and under voice control. Please see our hiking with dogs page for more information.
  • All motorized vehicles are prohibited from all sections of the Tahoe Rim Trail.
  • Electric bikes (ebikes) are ONLY allowed on sections of the TRT within Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park that are open to bikes.
  • The maximum group size in Desolation and Granite Chief Wilderness Areas is 12; Mt. Rose Wilderness Area is 15.

Camping Regulations

Camping Areas

Camping is permitted 100 to 300 ft. from the Tahoe Rim Trail in all areas with three exceptions: 

Desolation Wilderness requires a camping permit obtained at recreation.gov.

Tahoe NV State Park has a designated camping area called Marlette Lake Campground with a water pump and specified camping spots. 

Trailheads are off-limits for camping, please go further into the trail before making camp.

Click here to view an interactive map.

  • In general, trail users must camp within 300 feet of the trail corridor and at least 200 feet away from water sources and 100 feet away from trails.
  • Camping is prohibited at trailheads.
  • Camping within the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park is restricted to three established campsites: Marlette Peak, Hobart and North Canyon Campground.
  • Camping is prohibited near Watson Lake outside of the Watson Lake Campground.
  • Camping in Desolation Wilderness is by permit only (see permits below).
  • Bear proofing of all smellables (food, hygiene products, etc.) in a canister designed to prevent access by bears is required in Desolation Wilderness per Forest Service Order No. 03-22-11. This method is strongly encouraged throughout the entire Tahoe Rim Trail system. 

Fire Regulations

  • Campfires on the Tahoe Rim Trail are prohibited. In the Tahoe Basin campfires are only allowed within designated campgrounds and only when fire restrictions are NOT in effect. The most recent information about fire restrictions can be found here.

Permits

All trail users entering Desolation Wilderness or using a campstove will need to obtain permits. Please respect the permit system to protect wilderness resources and mitigate wildfire risk.

Use Permits

  • The only location on the Tahoe Rim Trail requiring a permit for day use is Desolation Wilderness. Permits are free, self-issued and available at all trailheads entering the wilderness. For more information on Desolation Wilderness click here.

Camping Permits

  • The only location on the Tahoe Rim Trail requiring a permit for overnight use is Desolation Wilderness.
  • There are two types of overnight permits for Desolation Wilderness – A regular Desolation Wilderness Permit (for non-thru hikers) and a TRT Thru-Hike Permit (for thru-hikers). Non-thru hiker Desolation Wilderness Permits are issued through a quota system and can be reserved through recreation.gov up to six months in advance or in person at the Lake Tahoe Basin Management (LTBMU) Forest Service Supervisor’s Office in South Lake Tahoe, CA when they are open to the public. For more information on overnight permits for Desolation Wilderness click here.

TRT Thru Hike Permit Process

Call the LTBMU Forest Service Supervisor’s Office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, at (530) 543-2600 to request a permit.

Call 7 to 10 days prior to leaving home.

Leave a message stating a timeframe of when you can answer your phone. The LTBMU will call you back to issue your permit.

Permit holders must camp within 300′ of the Tahoe Rim Trail and at least 100′ from any water source.

Campfire Permits

  • Campfires are generally prohibited along the TRT even with a valid campfire permit (see campfire regulations above). A campfire permit is required to use any kind of campstove anywhere on the trail. You can obtain your California Campfire Permit online for FREE. Visit readyforwildfire.org to watch a video on campfire safety and complete a short quiz before printing your permit. Permits expire on the last day of the year in which they are issued.
  • The state of Nevada does not issue its own campfire permits, but does require individuals to carry a California Campfire Permit in the Nevada backcountry on the TRT.
Did you hike around the entire Tahoe Rim Trail? Do you plan to? You can join the club of finishers!