Parking for the hike at Tahoe Meadows is convenient and relatively abundant. And, best of all, it’s free!

The most direct access for hiking Tahoe Meadows is to park at the Tahoe Meadows South Trailhead. The south aspect of this parking area puts you right at the boardwalk leading to Tahoe Meadows.

The Tahoe Meadows south parking area is approximately 6.5 miles from Lake Tahoe. From Incline Village, drive uphill along Mount Rose Highway (SR 431) beginning at the roundabout intersection of SR 28/SR 431. For hikers in North Tahoe seeking a short and easy trail with quick access and free parking, choose to hike at Tahoe Meadows. Additionally, you’ll find an exceptional selection of Sierra Nevada wildflowers and birds at Tahoe Meadows. Obviously, nature is unpredictable and flowers bloom and birds migrate based on the weather and season. However, I’ve hiked Tahoe Meadows multiple times during the same summer. And, I’ve witnessed new and different plant and wildlife each time.

The hike around actual Tahoe Meadows is short at only 1.25 miles and barely 50 feet of elevation gain. Also note that the Tahoe Meadows boardwalk is an interpretive trail featuring informational signs about local flora/fauna. This all makes the hike around Tahoe Meadows perfect for young and old hikers.

However, if you’re looking for a longer hike I recommend linking up with the nearby Ophir Creek Trail. You will hike about 4 miles and a couple hundred feet of elevation gain by tracing the red-lined route featured in the map below.