Skip to main content
ForestMatters, LLC

Tahoe Rim Trail: Tahoe Meadows

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California · 3 min read

Distance
5 mi
Elevation Gain
600 ft
Difficulty
easy-moderate
Route Type
Out-And-Back
Best Season
July through October
Est. Time
2-3 hours
Dog Friendly
Yes
Kid Friendly
Yes
Difficulty Score
4 / 10

Trailhead Amenities

Restroom
Vault Toilet
Parking
Free
Cell Service
Limited
Water
Nearby
Camping
None
Google MapsApple Maps

Conditions, regulations, and fees change frequently. Verify with the local ranger district before your trip. Full disclaimer

At a Glance

  • Subalpine meadow above 8,700 feet with wildflower blooms in July
  • Panoramic views of Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America
  • Section of the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail circumnavigating the entire basin
  • One of the most accessible high-elevation walks in the Tahoe Basin
  • Minimal elevation gain for the dramatic alpine setting
alpine meadowviewswildflowers

Overview

The Tahoe Rim Trail through Tahoe Meadows is the most accessible high-elevation segment of the 165-mile loop circling the Lake Tahoe Basin, offering panoramic lake views and subalpine meadow character with modest elevation gain from the NV-431 trailhead. The 5.0-mile out-and-back begins above 8,700 feet and traverses the meadow before climbing to a ridgeline with sweeping views south across the lake.

No permit required. Dogs are welcome on leash.

The Route

Miles 0 to 1.5: Tahoe Meadows traverse. From the trailhead on the Mount Rose Highway, the trail enters the broad subalpine meadow immediately. The meadow is open, with clear views toward the lake and Mount Rose above. In July the meadow wildflower display is at its peak: mule's ear, paintbrush, lupine, and shooting star. The footing is easy over gentle terrain.

Miles 1.5 to 2.5: Ridge climb and viewpoint. The trail climbs the short ridge above the meadow, gaining the majority of the route's elevation in a sustained but moderate ascent. The ridgeline is broad and open. From the high point, the view spans Lake Tahoe to the west and the Great Basin desert to the east. On clear days, the Sierra Nevada crest is visible to the south. The turnaround is at the viewpoint bench near the trail's highest point.

Return. Retrace the meadow back to the trailhead.

When to Hike

Mid-July through August for wildflower peak and dry meadow conditions. The meadow can be wet and boggy in early July in high snow years.

September for cooler temperatures, dry trails, and thinning crowds. Fall color from willows along the meadow creek appears in late September.

Winter snowshoeing is excellent from the same trailhead when NV-431 is clear. The meadow is a popular snowshoe destination and cross-country skiing area.

What to Bring

Many hikers carry 1.5 liters of water. The elevation above 8,700 feet and the exposed ridgeline mean temperatures can be significantly cooler than at lake level. Pack a wind layer and sun protection; the meadow has little shade. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible July through August; start early.

Trailhead Access

NV-431 (Mount Rose Highway) between Incline Village, Nevada and Reno. The trailhead is well signed about 8 miles west of Incline Village. From South Lake Tahoe, take US-50 to NV-207 to NV-28 around the lake to NV-431. Allow about 45 minutes from South Lake Tahoe.

Nearby

The Mount Tallac Trail on the California side provides the Tahoe basin's summit experience. The Eagle Lake Trail and Fallen Leaf Lake Loop are accessible from the south shore. See the full Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit guide. Follow Leave No Trace principles through the meadow ecosystem.

Trailhead Parking

Tahoe Meadows Trailhead on NV-431 (Mount Rose Highway), 8 miles from Incline Village. Paved lot. No fee. Can be crowded on summer weekends; arrive before 9 a.m.

← Back to Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

More Trails in Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

easyout-and-back

Eagle Lake Trail

2 mi400 ft gain
June through October

A 2.0-mile out-and-back to Eagle Lake above Emerald Bay in the Lake Tahoe Basin, one of the most popular short hikes in the Sierra Nevada, ascending granite steps to a clear cirque lake with views back toward Lake Tahoe.

3 min read

easyout-and-back

Emerald Bay Overlook Trail

1.5 mi200 ft gain
May through October

A 1.5-mile out-and-back to the classic Emerald Bay overlook above Lake Tahoe, the most photographed view in the basin, with Fannette Island, the historic Vikingsholm, and Tahoe's blue water below.

3 min read

moderateloop

Fallen Leaf Lake Loop

6.5 mi500 ft gain
May through October

A 6.5-mile loop around Fallen Leaf Lake south of South Lake Tahoe, through old-growth Jeffrey pine and white fir with shoreline views of one of the Tahoe Basin's most beautiful secondary lakes.

3 min read

moderateout-and-back

Glen Alpine Trail

6.5 mi1,200 ft gain
July through October

A 6.5-mile out-and-back from Fallen Leaf Lake into the Desolation Wilderness along a historic wagon road through Glen Alpine Springs, with access to Grass and Susie Lakes in the Sierra Nevada high country.

3 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Mount Tallac Trail

9.4 mi3,300 ft gain
July through October

A 9.4-mile out-and-back to the 9,735-foot summit of Mount Tallac in the Lake Tahoe Basin, with 3,300 feet of elevation gain through the Desolation Wilderness fringe and a summit panorama ranked among the finest in the Sierra Nevada.

3 min read

moderateout-and-back

Tahoe Rim Trail: Big Meadow

7 mi900 ft gain
July through October

A 7.0-mile out-and-back on the Tahoe Rim Trail from the Big Meadow Trailhead on Luther Pass, traversing the south shore ridgeline above 8,000 feet with Lake Tahoe views and access to the Round Lake and Dardanelles area.

3 min read

moderate-hardout-and-back

Velma Lakes Trail

10 mi1,500 ft gain
July through September

A 10.0-mile out-and-back into the Desolation Wilderness from Bayview Campground, climbing through granite and subalpine forest to three connected granite-rimmed lakes with good backcountry camping and fishing.

3 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Tahoe Rim Trail?
The Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165-mile loop that circumnavigates the entire Lake Tahoe basin, crossing ridgelines on both the California and Nevada sides of the lake at elevations between 6,240 and 10,338 feet. The trail passes through the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, six counties, and portions of the Desolation Wilderness. It is a popular through-hike completed in roughly 10-14 days, but most visitors do day hike sections. No through-hike permit is required outside the Desolation Wilderness segment.
Is the Tahoe Meadows section of the TRT in California or Nevada?
The Tahoe Meadows trailhead is in Nevada, on NV-431 (the Mount Rose Highway) in Washoe County. The trail traverses the Nevada side of the Lake Tahoe basin's eastern ridge, with views back across the lake into California. The Tahoe Rim Trail crosses between California and Nevada multiple times; the Tahoe Meadows section is the most accessible Nevada entry point.
Are wildflowers good at Tahoe Meadows?
Yes. The Tahoe Meadows section blooms from mid-July through early August with a mix of mule's ear, paintbrush, lupine, and asters in the subalpine meadow. The blooms depend on snowpack; in high snow years, the meadow may still be wet in early July. The wildflower peak typically aligns with the meadow's full snow melt, usually by the third week of July.