Are dogs allowed on the Mt. Tallac Trail?

Yes. The trail is on national forest land and crosses into Desolation Wilderness, where pets should be kept on leash and pet waste packed out or buried 6 to 8 inches deep.

How long is the Mt. Tallac Trail?

The Forest Service lists the summit at 5 miles one way, rated difficult, from the Mt. Tallac Trailhead on Highway 89. Floating Island Lake is 1.7 miles one way and Cathedral Lake 2.5, both rated easy to moderate.

Mt. Tallac Trail With a Dog

Q: Do I need a permit to day hike Mt. Tallac?

From Memorial Day weekend through September 30, yes. The trail crosses into Desolation Wilderness, where a free day use permit is required only while the permit boxes are installed at the trailheads, Memorial Day weekend through September 30. In winter, roughly October to March, day use permits are not required. Overnight trips need a permit year-round.

The short answer

Dogs. Yes, leashed, the whole way.
The permit. Desolation Wilderness requires one for a day hike from Memorial Day weekend through September 30, and for an overnight trip year-round.
The climb. Five miles one way to the summit, rated difficult by the Forest Service.

Numbers and rules from the Forest Service pages for the trailhead and the wilderness.

From the shop

6,225 FT of Good Dog

Tee • Khaki

$38

Trailhead Committee

Tee • Khaki

$38

Pack It In, Pack It Out

Tee • IvoryUnisex and Women’s fit

$38

Stay Close

Leash • Pine

$44

The trail

From the trailhead, Floating Island Lake is 1.7 miles one way and Cathedral Lake is 2.5 miles. The Forest Service rates both easy to moderate. The summit is five miles one way, rated difficult, and reaches 9,735 feet.

The rules for the dog

Keep your dog leashed. In Desolation Wilderness, pack out pet waste or bury it six to eight inches deep where permitted. Carry drinking water for your dog; the Forest Service warns of Giardia in lakes and streams.

The permit

Mt. Tallac crosses into Desolation Wilderness. The Eldorado National Forest requires a free day use permit only while the permit boxes are installed at the trailheads, Memorial Day weekend through September 30; in winter, roughly October to March, day use permits are not required. Overnight trips need a permit year-round. Campfires are not permitted at the trailhead or in the wilderness; portable stoves with on-off valves are allowed with a valid permit.

The season

The trailhead has seasonal parking, no drinking water, and no restroom or trash service in winter. Bring water and layers, and allow time for changing mountain conditions. Camping at the trailhead isn’t allowed.

Getting there

The Mt. Tallac turnoff is 3.5 miles northwest of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89, across from the Baldwin Beach entrance. Follow the dirt road to trailhead parking. Dogs aren’t allowed at Baldwin Beach.

More guides

Eagle Falls with a dog • Van Sickle with a dog • All guides

A dog on Mt. Tallac