If you’re staying longer than a night or two or have more than two humans in your party, a vacation rental can be your ticket to dog-friendly fun in South Lake Tahoe. Tahoe Keys Resort offers pet-friendly rentals in a private marina community bordered by conservation areas on the southwest side of the lake; it’s a great jumping-off place for myriad summer activities.
Another DogTrekker favorite is Zephyr Cove Resort on South Shore’s Nevada side. It’s lakefront, dog-friendly and very busy in summer. Dogs aren’t allowed on the swimming beach here, but you can walk from your cabin to a rocky stretch of shoreline where pups under voice control can stretch their legs and go for a swim. Wear sturdy shoes; you’ll need them for negotiating boulders.