Tahoe: A Perfect Day with Dogs in Lake Tahoe, Part 2 (Truckee)

West Coast
Written By Alyssa

This is part two of the series on our favorite places in the Lake Tahoe area, and covers another one of our absolute favorite areas - Truckee! For those who have never been, Truckee is a charming mountain town situated in the midst of the Tahoe National Forest, Donner Memorial State Park and of course Lake Tahoe.

Here are our suggestions for a perfect day with your dog(s) in the Truckee area!

Morning

Start your day with coffee and breakfast from Coffeebar or Drink Coffee Do Stuff. Both have delicious coffee options, but Coffeebar has a much larger outdoor space if you are looking to sit and relax for a bit.

If you’re looking to pick up some lunch to take with you on your adventures, pit stop at Full Belly Deli. Now it’s time to explore!

Option 1: Take a scenic walk or hike

  • Easy: check out the paved Truckee River Legacy Trail. This dog and family-friendly trail runs for several miles along the Truckee river with beautiful river and mountain views. The closest access points from downtown are the Truckee River Regional Park and the East River Street Trailhead.

    • Bonus: this trail is also cleared from snow in the winter, so it is a great place for a walk with your dog(s) year-round!

  • Moderate: The Picnic Rock Trail is one of our favorite hikes in this area that offers gorgeous panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. It is around 3 miles roundtrip, and in our opinion offers one of the most amazing views for the least amount of work!

    • Bonus: this trail is also a fun option for showshoeing in the winter.

  • Hard: For a unique but challenging hike, check out the Shirley Canyon Trail which goes from Olympic Valley up into the mountains, and ends at Palisades Tahoe's High Camp (located at 8,200 feet). If your dog is a water lover, this trail also includes some beautiful streams and passes Shirley Lake, which is a great pit stop where they can take a dip. To access this trail, park in one of the parking lots for the Palisades ski resort and walk to the trailhead. Because it is at the ski resort, this hike is only accessible in the summer/early fall months. The most fun way to do this trail is to hike one-way up (~4 miles and 2,000 ft. elevation gain), and then you can take the Palisades arial tram back down for free (pups included!) after taking some time to relax at the top and enjoy the views. There is also a market at the top with grab-n-go drinks and snacks.

    • Check out the Palisades website for up-to-date information on the arial tram operations.

  • If you are visiting during winter time, the Donner Lake area offers beautiful snowshoeing trails. Check out the Johnson Canyon Overlook Trail for beautiful views of Donner Lake and Castle Peak, or the Donner Summit Canyon Trail for gorgeous views from the lookout point.

Option 2: Hit the lake

Hopefully you are spending more than a day in the Tahoe area and have already or plan to visit Lake Tahoe. So for a change of scenery, head to Donner Lake! My preferred area to go is the State Park entrance linked here, which has a $10 day use entry fee (credit cards accepted), and offers ample parking and a variety of great areas to enjoy.

  • As you drive through the park, there are numerous parking areas with access to the lake and small beach areas. The China Cove area has a nice beach, and is also a great place to paddle board or kayak.

  • Donner Lake Water Sports is nearby if you are interested in renting any paddling equipment. They also offer online reservations (this is the Donner State Park location).

  • There is also a nice trail that starts at China Cove and runs along the lake if you want to get in a little walk/hike.

On the north side of the lake, there are also 37 public piers that are a fun spot for relaxing by the lake and jumping in the water. These can be used on a first come, first served basis. Parking is roadside along Donner Pass Rd.

Afternoon & Evening

  • Stroll through downtown Truckee and grab dinner on the patio at Moody's Bistro Bar & Beats, which typically has live music on the weekends. Or try the delicious pizza and wines on tap at Old Town Tap.

Bonus: If you are here on a Thursday in the summer time, you can’t miss Truckee Thursdays, the summer street festival in downtown Truckee from 5-8:30pm mid-June through mid-August. They shut down Donner Pass Road for an event with live music, delicious food and artisan vendors. Dogs are welcome as long as they are well-behaved and on a leash. Make sure your pup is comfortable in crowds before deciding to attend.

Where to Stay?

  • SpringHill Suites by Marriott - located right in the heart of Truckee with a mountain modern design. Pets are allowed with a $100 cleaning fee.

  • Gravity Haus Truckee is another fun option central to town with a focus on sustainability and outdoor exploration. They provide dog bowls and beds for your pups, and charge $50 per dog, per night. Also note that all dog reservations must be made over the phone.

  • The Ritz Carlton - If you are looking for a luxury option, this hotel is nestled in the midst of the Northstar ski resort and offers ski in/ski out access in the winter and a variety of outdoor activities year-round.

Do you have any favorite spots that I missed? Let me know in the comments!

Disclaimer: The information provided above and dog-friendly policies were understood to be accurate as of the time of this post. For the most up-to-date information and policies, be sure to confirm with the businesses directly.

 
Our favorite dog-friendly places in Truckee
 
Alyssa
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Tahoe: A Perfect Day with Dogs in Lake Tahoe, Part 3 (South Lake)
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Tahoe: A Perfect Day with Dogs in Lake Tahoe, Part 1 (Incline Village)