Tahoe Rim Trail

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The Tahoe Rim Trail is the long trail that rings Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association lists eight segments, and its page says the total changes from year to year, so we print the segments and not a single total.

Checked November 3, 2026. Dates, prices and hours change; the official page wins.

8segments listed by the TRTA
8,740 ftTahoe Meadows
10,338 ftRelay Peak, called the highest point
May-OctTahoe Meadows trailhead season (USFS)

Tahoe Rim Trail approaching a meadow near Watson Creek — Photo: Dicklyon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Trail Facts

Segments (miles)Tahoe City to Brockway Summit 20.5; Brockway Summit to Mt. Rose Summit/Tahoe Meadows 20.2; Mt. Rose Summit/Tahoe Meadows to Spooner Summit 24.1; Spooner Summit to Kingsbury South Connector 19.0; Kingsbury South Connector to Big Meadow 22.9; Big Meadow to Echo Lakes 18.3; Echo Lakes to Barker Pass 32.5; Barker Pass to Tahoe City 16.4 (TRTA).
Total lengthThe TRTA page gives no single total and says it “evolves yearly.” Segment miles added by us come to about 173.9; we did not confirm a total with the TRTA.
ElevationsTahoe Meadows 8,740 ft; Spooner Summit 7,150 ft; Snow Valley Peak 9,214 ft; South Camp Peak 8,866 ft; Genoa Peak 9,150 ft; Relay Peak 10,338 ft, called the trail’s highest point; Mt. Houghton 10,490 ft on a spur (TRTA).
BikesBicycles are prohibited by federal law in Desolation, Mount Rose and Granite Chief Wildernesses, on the 50-mile section shared with the Pacific Crest Trail, and on several named sections. E-bikes of all types are restricted to motorized trails, so they are barred on nearly all of the trail (TRTA).
DogsRules vary by the agency that manages each stretch; keep dogs leashed around other users, at trailheads and on steep terrain (TRTA).
ParkingSpooner Summit North and South have overnight parking; the small paved lot is full on weekends and holidays by mid-morning. The Tahoe Meadows lot is small and fills early on weekends. The Mt. Rose Summit lot is often full on summer weekends by mid-morning. Camping or sleeping at trailheads is prohibited (TRTA).
Difficulty, season, permitsNot stated on the page we read: difficulty rating, best months and permits for the whole trail

Day Hikes From The TRTA

Relay Peak from Mt. Rose10.1 miles round trip, rated Strenuous.
Snow Valley Peak from Spooner Summit North12.4 miles round trip, rated Strenuous.
South Camp Vista from Spooner Summit South11.5 miles round trip, rated Moderate.

On The Map

2 of the places named above are pinned for Tahoe Rim Trail. Tap a pin for the page and directions. Dashed pins are approximate. © OpenStreetMap contributors.

What We Could Not Confirm

These items were not read on an official page when we checked, so we do not state them as fact. Who can confirm each one is named.

The Mt. Rose to Spooner Summit segment length: other documents we saw give 21.8 and 22.3 miles; we print the TRTA figure of 24.1.
Which Hawk Fire closure alerts on Humboldt-Toiyabe pages affect this trail; check the Forest Service alerts before you go.
Best months and whether any permit is needed for the whole loop.

More to Explore

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Tahoe Rim Trail?

The Tahoe Rim Trail Association lists eight segments and says the total evolves yearly. The listed segment miles add to about 173.9, our own sum, so treat it as approximate.

Can I bike the Tahoe Rim Trail?

Only on some sections. Bikes are barred in three wildernesses and on the 50-mile stretch shared with the Pacific Crest Trail, and e-bikes are barred on nearly all of it.

Sources

Cite this page: It’s Reno editorial team, “Tahoe Rim Trail,” itsreno.com, checked November 3, 2026.

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