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.
Go to Permits

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 not allowed on the Tahoe Rim Trail.
  • 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).
  • As of January 2024, bear proofing of all smellables (food, hygiene products, etc.) in a canister designed to prevent access by bears is required 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

Updated 3/10/2026: 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.
  • A new Desolation Wilderness overnight use quota zone has been created for use only by TRT Thru-Hikers completing the entire TRT hike. The Benefits of managing the TRT Thru-Hike Permit opportunity through www.recreation.gov includes:
    • Maintaining the character and ecological integrity of Desolation Wilderness
    • Improving customer service and visitor experience
    • Consistently managing overnight use within Desolation Wilderness, including use of quota system.

To obtain a Thru-Hike Permit, visit https://www.recreation.gov/. Permits will be available beginning April 1, 2026, for the 2026 summer season.

Thru-hike Permit Need to Know:

  • Permit holders are limited to a maximum of 2 nights in the Wilderness while traveling on the TRT/Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) corridor.
  • Permit holders must camp within 300 feet of the TRT/PCT corridor.
  • Camping in Zone 33, near Lake Aloha, is prohibited.
  • Permit holders can access and print permits up to 14 days in advance. All Desolation Wilderness regulations and requirements apply to TRT Thru-Hike Permits.

The process for non-thru hiker Desolation Wilderness Permits has not changed, overnight permits will still be issued through a quota system and reserved through recreation.gov up to six months in advance, or in person at the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) Forest Service Supervisor’s Office in South Lake Tahoe, CA when open to the public. For more information on overnight permits for Desolation Wilderness, click here.

TRT Thru Hike Permit Process

The process for obtaining TRT Thru-Hike permits is changing for the 2026 season. Keep checking here for updates!

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.
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