Truckee River Bike Trail:
California
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Description:
The popular Truckee River Bike Trail is an ideal rail-trail in many ways. Its smooth, flat surface provides all types of users with a scenic easy-to-negotiate route from Tahoe City to Squaw Valley. It connects to other paths for users who want to a longer stroll or ride, and there are facilities for many recreational activities, such as fishing, picnicking and river rafting, along or near the trail. Plus, the Truckee River that it parallels is magnificent.
In the summer both the trail and river are filled with people enjoying the outdoors. The river is slow-moving during this time of year, and floating down it is a popular pastime for folks of all ages. There are several places along the trail where people can stop to fish for trout. In the springtime, the river moves quickly and the rapids swell. There aren't as many tourists here at this time, which gives the rail-trail a calmer, more tranquil feel.
Embark on the trail at Tahoe City. For the first few miles, you are treated to dazzling scenery of the river on your left and evergreen trees on your right. At about 3.5 miles in, you climb a short hill and then come to the River Ranch Lodge on your left. An excellent place to stop for a drink or a bite to eat, the lodge overlooks the river and offers fantastic views. Continuing along the trail past the lodge, you cross Alpine Meadows Road before reaching the Midway Bridge. To extend your trip from here, you can detour through Squaw Valley to the base of the ski resort. A 2.3-mile bike path runs the entire length of the valley, paralleling Squaw Valley Road and ending at the Squaw Valley USA ski resort.
Near the start point in Tahoe City, the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) also connects with the Truckee River Bike Trail. The 165-mile TRT loops around the lake and offers hiking and mountain biking opportunities.
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Parking & Trail Access:
The Tahoe City trailhead is located off of Highway 89 and Fairway Drive. From Interstate 80, exit south on State Highway 89 and proceed 12 miles to Tahoe City. About a quarter mile after you enter Tahoe City, you will see Fairway Drive on your left. Turn here and look for parking in one of several nearby lots on your right.
Parking is also available at Hwy 89 and Squaw Valley Rd. in the nearby park and at the ski resort.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
The trail can be used year-round.
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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Fun Trail
By twirlymaker in July, 2010
An active scenic trail, except for a few short steep grades, it is surprising easy grade. Trail surface has some rough cracks, some marked with paint. Parking in Tahoe City or at Squaw Valley Rd. Noel Keller,11 Jul 2010
Great short term stopover
By Leo Bruning in January, 2005
"What a great surprise! Saw trail along the River while driving from Truckee thru South Shore on way back to Oklahoma on Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Stopped in Tahoe City near the Dam Cafe, rode the 9 miles to Tahoma for lunch at Angela's Pizzeria, returned and made round trip down to Squaw and back. Got in a very easy 30 miles. Saw two recumbents and a regular bike and not many other trail users that day. WAS windy and cool along west shore, however. Got wonderful soup to go at the ""Dam"" and hit road again."
Nice Ride
By Jeff in August, 2004
"I rode this trail while visiting Tahoe City on July 22. Although it was a Thursday, the trail was quite crowded. But it was a nice ride along the river and made for a good out and back.

The positives were that the views were beautiful, the river was scenic, and the trailhead connected to three other trails that radiated out from the trailhead. The negatives were that the trail was busy, and the river had an obscene number of rafters on it. This made me wonder if there were any regulations addressing the number of rafts on the river at one time. All-in-all, though, it was a very pleasant bike ride."
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Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Highway 89 and Fairway Drive (Tahoe City) to Squaw Valley
Counties: Placer
Trail Length: 6.8 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt, Dirt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Snowmobiling, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6015322

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Guidebook: Learn more about other Western rail-trails in RTC's Western Guidebook.
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