ActivitiesHikingTahoe Meadows Trailhead

Tahoe Meadows Trailhead

East Shore, hiking, easy

Flat boardwalk loop through a stunning sub-alpine meadow at nearly 9,000 ft. Best wildflowers in the basin July through August. Also the north access point for the Tahoe Rim Trail. Note: MTB restricted to even-numbered days.

In short: Tahoe Meadows Trailhead is an easy hike on Lake Tahoe's East Shore: 1.3 mi round trip, 60 ft of elevation gain, a high point of 8,740 ft. The season is Jun – Oct, no permit is needed, dogs are allowed.

Distance, round trip
1.3 mi
Elevation gain
60 ft
High point
8,740 ft
Difficulty
Easy

Where it is

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Trail details

  • Sub-alpine meadow
  • Wildflowers July–Aug
  • Accessible boardwalk
  • TRT access
  • Family-friendly
Trail
Tahoe Meadows Loop / TRT
Season
Jun – Oct
Permit
None needed
Parking
Free, Large lot, Hwy 431 near Mt. Rose summit
Dogs
Allowed

Go with a guide. Walk the basin with a local guide, on a trail matched to your group and the season.

Guided hike

Conditions today

Right now
72°F, Sunny
Today
High 72°, low 48°
Wind
8 mph
Campfires
Metal rings only
  • TomorrowPartly Cloudy, 10% chance of rain68° 45°
  • ThuMostly Clear, 5% chance of rain74° 50°
  • FriPM Storms, 75% chance of rain61° 44°

Know before you go

Permits
Desolation Wilderness needs a permit for both day hikes and overnight trips. Most other trails in the basin need none.
Parking
Lots at Eagle Falls, D.L. Bliss and other popular trailheads fill by 9am on summer weekends. Start early or go midweek.
Altitude
Trailheads start around 6,300 feet and the highest summits top 10,000. Carry more water than you would at sea level and take the first day easy.
Weather
Summer afternoons can bring thunderstorms. Plan to be off exposed ridges and summits by early afternoon.

Read the hiking guide

More hiking within 5 miles

Nearest campgrounds

See its pin on the mapAll hiking placesMore on tahoerimtrail.org (opens in a new tab)