Exploring Pet-Friendly Adventures in South Lake Tahoe: Your Ultimate Guide
RnR is committed to happy trails and happy tails for guests and their ‘paw-some’ family members
Let’s face it: dogs love to be by their owner’s side, especially when the family hops into a car for a journey. After all, these faithful companions make the best and cutest travel buddies.
According to a new survey by Forbes of 10,000 American dog owners, 82 percent say they now travel by car with their four-legged friends on vacation. At RnR, we see more and more of our guests arriving with these beloved family members, and an increasing number of our homes have become pet-friendly.
A dog-friendly vacation used to be the exception, but now it’s the rule. Because, as we like to say, dogs rule! We have over 30 dog-friendly homes within our portfolio because our owners know that families are incomplete without our furry friends.
Here are some reasons why our South Lake Tahoe pet-friendly rentals are a prime destination for travelers with pets:
- Variety of pet-friendly options: We offer a wide range of Tahoe vacation rental homes, which means you can easily find a place that accommodates your entire family comfortably.
- Amenities for pets and people: Some rentals, like our Waterfront Retreat & Sierra Trails Adventure, offer hot tubs and multiple living areas for humans and a fully-fenced backyard for pets. This ensures that your pet can enjoy the outdoors safely while you relax and enjoy the property's amenities.
- Access to outdoor activities: South Lake Tahoe is known for its beautiful landscapes and enjoyable outdoor activities year-round. From hiking trails that welcome dogs to lakeside walks, there's plenty for you and your pet to explore together.
- Close proximity to pet-friendly attractions: The location of our homes provides easy access to various attractions around Lake Tahoe that are pet-friendly, including parks, beaches, and trails.
- Comforts of home: With features like fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, and cozy living spaces, our pet-friendly rentals offer the comforts of home in a stunning natural setting. This makes it easier to relax with your pet in a space that feels welcoming and warm.
- Flexible accommodations: Whether you need a small, cozy cabin or a large rental home, RnR can provide options that suit the size of your party and your pet's needs, ensuring everyone has enough space to relax.
If you're going to South Tahoe with your dog, there are plenty of dog-friendly activities to choose from! The entire Tahoe Basin is like a giant dog park for humans, which means your pet will feel right at home.
Sometimes, there isn’t the right rental for your desired dates, or just that boarding might be a better fit for the day. In those instances, we always recommend Tahoe Best Friends. Tahoe Best Friends allows your dog to choose their activities with free-flowing connecting play areas and open doors to the outside yards to come and go as they please under our caring eyes. Of course, we want the little ones to feel right at home with their own areas to play and relax as well.
A well-mannered, leashed dog is welcome on just about all public lands around Tahoe. So feel free to bring them along when visiting Desolation Wilderness, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit lands, El Dorado National Forest or Lake Tahoe National Forest. Just a few caveats: Bring a six-foot leash, waste bags, and proper tags; don’t allow your pet to disturb the flora and fauna; and be mindful of other hikers, campers, and dogs.
Following is our staff’s list of top dog-friendly adventures in South Tahoe:
- Mount Tallac: For the best views of the lake, a hike here offers the most stunning scenery. This is one of the longer, more challenging trails at more than 10 miles at its shortest point. If you choose to tackle this, you and your pup will need plenty of water for the journey to the top.
- Van Sickle Bi-State Park: If you’re looking for similar vistas to Mt. Tallac but with a less intense hike, this is the perfect choice. The Van Sickle Trail eventually connects with the Tahoe Rim Trail, allowing you to access much more scenery. Hike up to the waterfall or continue up for some bouldering with a stellar view. This park is great for dogs of all sizes.
- Bijou Community Park: The local gem has two fenced-off areas specifically for dogs — one with plenty of room to run wild, and one with obstacles and different agility course features for dog training. Let them loose off leash for a while and take advantage of the rest of the park that highlights a basketball court, a bike park/track, volleyball courts, a concrete skateboard park, an incredible disc golf course (with over 30 holes), and even a gazebo area.
- Dog-friendly beaches: Not every South Tahoe patch of sand is dog-friendly, but the best place to start is Kiva Beach. Not only will you have wide open spaces to roam, but this spot offers some seriously astounding views where the marsh meets the lake, looking right up at the majestic Mount Tallac. Regan Beach is another top choice. Dogs are permitted off-leash here but must be under strict voice control at all times. Four-legged visitors are only allowed in the dog water park section near the entrance to the park (on the east end), where the water is shallow. South Lake Tahoe’s oldest beach facility, Regan offers great views of the lake.
- Go back in time: One of the most enjoyable South Tahoe attractions is Tallac Historic Site, a collection of late 19th century summer estate homes and outbuildings about 7 miles west of the Stateline. Leashed dogs are welcome, and visiting on living-history days is especially recommended. Find out more here.
- Pet shopping: Forget to bring pet food or want to grab some dog treats for your hike? Go to DogDogCat, a “petique” extravaganza inside the shopping center next to the Heavenly village. They carry tons of natural foods, toys, and gear. Stop in for everything you’d need to keep your dog stylish and equipped for whatever adventure lies ahead.
- Pamper your pup: After a day filled with outdoor recreation, put your pup in the lap of luxury with a spa treatment at Hair of The Dog Pet Concierge in South Tahoe. Focused on giving your dog a fun-filled vacation while you enjoy one of your own, the business ensures that your pet experiences a happy, healthy and safe environment. It offers daycare and overnight options, an open play area, climate-controlled indoor rest and sleeping areas, complete grooming services, companion walks, massages, acupuncture/acupressure and even pet chauffeur services!
- Food and Treats: Afterwards pick up some food and treats for your furry friend at the Pet Station on Lake Tahoe Blvd. Pet Station sells many different brands of high quality dog and cat food, along with a complete line of supplies and accessories for dogs, cats, small animals, reptiles, birds, fresh and saltwater fish.
- Share a bite: In South Tahoe it’s easy to find restaurants that accommodate your tail-wagging companions. Topping our list of our staff favorites is MacDuff’s Public House, a true locals place that offers craft beers and fine wines to complement freshly homemade Scottish dishes. In Heavenly Village, Base Camp Pizza Co. is a dog-friendly restaurant with live music and outdoor dining that accepts well-behaved dogs kept on a leash. Tahoe Mountain Brews is our go to local place for great beer and a very local vibe if you just want to hang out and chat with folks who show up or play a bit of backgammon. You can sit inside or outside. and dogs are welcome.
Booking a pet-friendly vacation in South Lake Tahoe with RnR Vacation Rentals means not only will you have a memorable stay in one of the most beautiful places in the world, but you'll also enjoy the peace of mind knowing your pet is welcome and well-accommodated. The combination of pet-friendly amenities, comfortable accommodations, and access to outdoor adventures makes it an ideal choice for travelers looking to experience Lake Tahoe with their furry friends.