Dardanelles Lake
A longer alternative from Big Meadow leads to Dardanelles Lake and its pale granite shoreline. Meadow, forest and creek crossings make the approach varied, while the lake rewards a generous break before heading back.
- Distance
- ≈ 7.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- ≈ 1,429 ft
- Time estimate
- 4–5.5 hours
- Effort
- Moderate
Why go
Dardanelles shares its opening with the Round Lake route, then follows a side trail toward a different basin. The payoff is a lake framed by granite rather than the stronger volcanic backdrop at Round Lake. Pick this version when you have a little more time and want the destination to be the main event.
Creek crossings add a practical consideration beyond mileage. A route that feels straightforward later in summer can ask more of a group during snowmelt, so leave your schedule flexible. There is no need to scramble along the shore to find a good stop: settle on a durable surface and keep fragile lakeside vegetation intact.
The walk
Out and back · Big Meadow Tahoe Rim Trailhead, Highway 89
Begin at Big Meadow trailhead, cross Highway 89 with care, and follow the Tahoe Rim Trail through Big Meadow into the forest beyond it.
At the mapped junction, take the Lake Valley connection and then the Dardanelles Lake branch. Confirm both turns with a map before the creek crossings.
Continue to Dardanelles Lake and make the shoreline your turnaround. Retrace the same branches to the Tahoe Rim Trail and return through Big Meadow.
A route overview for planning. Carry an offline topographic map and follow current trail signs.
Getting there & going prepared
Start at the seasonal Big Meadow parking area off Highway 89. Do not camp or overnight at the trailhead. Solid-fuel campfires are prohibited in Meiss Country. Expect shared-trail users on the approach, keep dogs leashed and carry an offline map showing the lake branch. Check current trailhead access before setting out.
Keep in mind
Snowmelt can make the creek crossings difficult; never rely on a previous trip report to judge today's water.
Sources & route notes
Approximately 7.8 miles and 1,429 feet gain match the onX mapped out-and-back from Big Meadow. This is Dardanelles alone, without Round Lake. Primary tourism sources corroborate the junction sequence and creek crossings; the exact mapped gain is a third-party measurement.
- onX mapped Big Meadow route
- Visit Lake Tahoe Meiss Country guide
- Official tourism trailhead information
Source review: Oct 16, 2026. Not a field report or a statement that the trail is open. Times and difficulty are editorial planning estimates.