Trailhead · Tahoe City – Brockway Summit
Tahoe City
MI 0 · 6,300 ft
Common start/finish point on the northwest shore of Lake Tahoe.
165 miles of single-track circling Lake Tahoe across two states, four national forests, three wilderness areas and one state park. No permit is needed except inside Desolation Wilderness.
“A 165-mile ring around Lake Tahoe, permit-free except for the one stretch through Desolation Wilderness that shares corridor with the PCT.”
Plan your Tahoe Rim Trail trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get Tahoe Rim Trail
Tahoe Rim Trail is issued by the agency rather than through a booking calendar. Their page has the current process and any dates.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
Tahoe Rim Trail permit season
- Season
- July (after snowmelt at Relay Peak and Freel Peak) to October
- route distance, loop
- 165mi
The two passes of the Tahoe Rim Trail
165 miles on one loop from Tahoe City, over two passes.
Loop from Tahoe City
Pass
Dicks Pass
- MILE
- ≈132.2
- ELEVATION
- ≈9,372 ft
From Lake Aloha · mi ≈126.1+1,260 ftover 6.1 mi
High pass crossed on the Echo Lakes to Barker Pass segment through Desolation Wilderness.
MILE ≈132.2 OF 165
Tahoe Rim Trail elevation
MILES 0 TO 165 · 6,300 TO 10,872 FTTahoe Rim Trail key landmarks
Map of the Tahoe Rim Trail Thru-Hike, Tahoe City to Ward Creek
3 of 3 places in this section
This device cannot draw the interactive map.
Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
How to get a Tahoe Rim Trail permit
As of September 2026, Tahoe Rim Trail in Tahoe Rim Trail, California requires a permit issued via walk-up. Tahoe Rim Trail rates 5/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The permit season for Tahoe Rim Trail runs July (after snowmelt at Relay Peak and Freel Peak) through October. The Tahoe Rim Trail route covers 165 miles, rated strenuous.
- Type
- Thru-Hike
- Location
- Lake Tahoe Basin, Sierra Nevada, CA
How this permit is issued
Get this permit in person at the trailhead or ranger station, or by phone.
Official permit page →Step 1: Check the agency page for the process
This permit is not sold online. Confirm where and when it is issued (and any fee) at tahoerimtrail.org before your trip.
Step 2: Arrive early
Walk-up permits are issued first-come, first-served. Where the agency sets a daily quota, popular trailheads can run out on weekends and holidays.
Step 3: Have backup plans
Popular trailheads fill fast. Know alternate routes or dates.
Learn more:
More on Tahoe Rim Trail: Live availability activityTahoe Rim Trail Thru-Hike permit itinerary
How much a Tahoe Rim Trail permit costs
Tahoe Rim Trail permit fee: Free everywhere except Desolation Wilderness overnight ($6 Recreation.gov reservation fee + $5-$10 Forest Service use fee per person).
The Tahoe Rim Trail hike
- Distance
- 165 miles
- Route Type
- Loop
- Duration
- 10-14 days
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Elevation Range
- 6,300 - 10,338 ft
A 165-mile ring around Lake Tahoe, permit-free except for the one stretch through Desolation Wilderness that shares corridor with the PCT.
About this permit
The Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165-mile loop along the ridgelines that ring Lake Tahoe, crossing California and Nevada, four national forests, three wilderness areas and one state park. Unlike a point-to-point thru-hike it has no fixed start or finish: most hikers pick one of eight official trailheads and walk the loop clockwise. Nearly the entire trail is permit-free. The one exception is the roughly 20-mile stretch through Desolation Wilderness, which needs an overnight permit booked on Recreation.gov.
The route
From Tahoe City the trail climbs onto the ridges above the lake, through Desolation Wilderness and Meiss Meadows on the shared PCT corridor, over Relay Peak at the trail's 10,338-foot high point, and around the Nevada side before closing the loop.
Why it matters
You can start anywhere on the loop and walk it clockwise from whichever of the eight official trailheads suits your logistics. That flexibility, plus a lake view from nearly every ridge, is what sets the TRT apart from a point-to-point thru-hike.
How hard the Tahoe Rim Trail hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills2/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.
When to hike Tahoe Rim Trail
Best time to visit
Mid-July through September, after the high passes clear of snow and before the first fall storms.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (6,300 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Today: Freezing temps at elevation. Bring insulation even if warm below.
Today
☀️
68°
43°
Wed
☀️
75°
52°
Thu
☁️
78°
52°
Fri
☁️
72°
51°
Sat
☁️
74°
52°
Sun
🌧️
71°
51°
Mon
⛅
71°
49°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Tahoe Rim Trail rules, gear and safety
Hazards & considerations
- Afternoon thunderstorms on exposed ridgelines, especially around Relay Peak and Mt. Houghton
- Snow can linger on the Mt. Rose/Relay Peak section into July
- Long dry stretches on the Nevada side of the loop
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Tahoe Rim Trail.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Tahoe Rim Trail · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Tahoe Rim Trail FAQ
Do I need a permit to hike the Tahoe Rim Trail?
Only for one stretch. The Forest Service told us on the Desolation Wilderness page: "The only location on the Tahoe Rim Trail requiring a permit for overnight use is Desolation Wilderness." Everywhere else on the 165-mile loop, you can walk and camp without booking anything in advance.
How long is the Tahoe Rim Trail thru-hike?
165 miles, according to the Tahoe Rim Trail Association's own site: "165 mile thru hike." Most thru-hikers finish in 10 to 14 days.
Where do I get the Tahoe Rim Trail Desolation Wilderness permit?
On Recreation.gov, under permit 233261, the zone named "Tahoe Rim Trail (Thru Hike Only)." The Tahoe Rim Trail Association's own permit page says permits "became available March 20, 2026 through recreation.gov."
How many nights can I camp in Desolation Wilderness on a Tahoe Rim Trail permit?
Two. Recreation.gov's own zone description says permit holders "can only stay a maximum of 2 nights in the Desolation Wilderness while traveling along the TRT/PCT corridor and must camp within 300 feet of the TRT."
What is the highest point on the Tahoe Rim Trail?
Relay Peak, at 10,338 feet, on the Brockway Summit to Tahoe Meadows segment. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association calls it out by name as the trail's high point.
Can I have a campfire on the Tahoe Rim Trail?
No. The Forest Service's Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is explicit: "No Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) Permitted." A stove is fine, but bring bear-resistant food storage, which the same page requires.
Which direction should I hike the Tahoe Rim Trail?
There's no required direction since it's a loop with no fixed terminus, but most thru-hikers go clockwise from Tahoe City. Pick whichever of the eight official trailheads is most convenient for your logistics.
Does the Tahoe Rim Trail overlap the Pacific Crest Trail?
Yes, for about 50 miles through Desolation Wilderness and Meiss Meadows, between Big Meadow and Barker Pass. That shared corridor is exactly where the one required permit applies.
Tahoe Rim Trail trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Tahoe Rim Trail permit
- Same AreaPermit required
Desolation Wilderness zone permit (Tahoe Rim Trail thru-hike)
The one stretch of the TRT that needs a permit: Recreation.gov sells it as "Tahoe Rim Trail (Thru Hike Only)", a Desolation Wilderness zone permit restricted to TRT thru-hikers.
Tradeoffs
Required only for the Desolation Wilderness section; the rest of the loop needs no permit.
Where to stay near Tahoe Rim Trail
- Tahoe Sra Tahoe CampgroundTahoe SRA
- William Kent CampgroundLake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
- Kaspian CampgroundLake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
- All California campgrounds
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
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