Exploring Dog-Friendly Kirkwood
Luna at Winnemucca Lake
Wildflowers, alpine lakes, and sweeping mountain vistas—the Kirkwood area, near South Lake Tahoe along Carson Pass, has it all. Popular for hiking, backpacking, and camping, this high-elevation destination offers something for everyone—and best of all, it’s dog-friendly. While Kirkwood is famous for its winter skiing and snowboarding, in the summer, Kirkwood transforms into a refreshing Eldorado National Forest escape, with cool mountain air, scenic trails, and crystal-clear lakes that are perfect for exploring with your pup.
Wildflowers shot on Sony 6400 with a 35 mm F 1.8 fixed lens
Hiking
There are several dog-friendly hikes ranging from easy to hard to various lakes, including Winnemucca, Woods, Frog, Margaret, Emigrant, Caples, and Round Top. In the summer, these lakes offer a refreshing respite for dogs and people. Who doesn’t love a cold plunge!?
A couple of our favorite hikes are:
Lake Winnemucca Loop, a 6-mile loop with stunning views of wildflowers, meadows, and 3 alpine lakes-Frog, Woods, and Winnemucca Lakes.
Emigrant Lake Trail, an 8-mile out-and-back hike along Caples Lake up to Emigrant Lake with wildflowers, streams, rugged peaks, and crystal-clear, icy-blue water. Very refreshing!
Parking
Paid and free parking is available off Highway 88 at Caples Lake, the Carson Pass Station, as well as at the overflow lot just down the road.
Where to Stay
There are a few first-come, first-served campgrounds-Woods Lake Campground, Kirkwood Campground, and Caples Lake Campground. These campgrounds can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Caples Lake Campground is the largest of the 3 campgrounds, and the only one that can accommodate RVs and trailers. All the campgrounds are dog-friendly with vault toilets and potable water.
Also, Caples Lake Resort, with stunning views of Caples Lake and the surrounding mountains, has several rustic cabins that are designated for dog visitors.
Reactive Dog Note
While this area isn’t as busy as some Sierra Nevada hotspots, it can still get crowded on weekends, so starting early is your best bet for a quieter hike. We crossed paths with several other hikers and dogs—most with good trail etiquette—and still enjoyed plenty of peaceful moments along the way.
Other Tips
Wondering what to bring on your next trip? Check out our Dog-Friendly Camping Packing List for must-have gear and tips.
If you’re camping with a reactive dog, read our Tips on Camping with a Reactive Dog.
Whether you’re planning a quick day trip or a multi-day getaway, Kirkwood offers endless dog-friendly adventures. Summer is the perfect season to catch the Sierra Nevada wildflowers in full bloom and let your pup cool off with a refreshing alpine lake swim. Happy hiking!
