The TrailHead

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for The TrailHead

Lake view
Family Suite
Honeymoon Suite
King Bed w/ Spa | Bathroom
Snow and ski sports

Reviews

6.8 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

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3892 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 96150
  • Place, Heavenly Gondola
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Place, The Shops at Heavenly Village
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Place, Lakeside Beach
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Airport, Lake Tahoe, CA (TVL)
    ‪10 min drive‬

Room options

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

  • Mountain view
  • 28 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking

  • Mountain view
  • 28 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Honeymoon Suite

  • Mountain view
  • 37 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

King - Jetted Tub

  • Mountain view
  • 28 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

King Bed w/ Spa

  • Mountain view
  • 33 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

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About this property

The TrailHead

This hotel features express check-in, express check-out, and a picnic area. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a TV in a common area and a vending machine.
The TrailHead offers 36 accommodations with hair dryers and irons/ironing boards. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Beds feature premium bedding. 32-inch flat-screen televisions come with premium satellite channels.

This South Lake Tahoe hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Additionally, rooms include complimentary toiletries and blackout drapes/curtains.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Our customers tell us they can't get enough of the helpful staff at The TrailHead. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Van Sickle Bi-State Park. Features include free WiFi in public areas and free self parking.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self parking and RV/bus/truck parking
  • Amenities include a terrace, a vending machine, and TV in a common area
  • 11 minutes by foot from Heavenly Gondola and a 1-minute drive from Casino at Harrah's Lake Tahoe
  • Dogs welcome for a fee (restrictions apply)
As a guest of The TrailHead, you'll find a terrace, a vending machine, and ski storage. Public spaces have free WiFi. The TrailHead also features a picnic area, express check-in, and express check-out. Free self parking is available.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this South Lake Tahoe hotel.


Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Ski shuttle nearby
  • Free secured self parking on site
  • Free RV/bus/lorry parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

Things to do

  • Ski storage
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • Mini-fridge

Conveniences

  • Vending machine

Outdoors

  • In a nature reserve
  • In the mountains
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Low-height counter and sink
  • No lift

More

  • 2 floors
  • Built in 1949
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch flat-screen TV with premium cable/satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Microwave
  • Mini-fridge

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Heating (climate-controlled)
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out fee: USD 15.00
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open Sunday - Thursday (8:30 AM - 4:00 PM) and Friday - Saturday (8:00 AM - 6:00 PM)
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions and lockbox information; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 4:30 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk, lockbox

Pets

  • Pets: USD 30 per pet, per night
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Pets cannot be left unattended
  • Certain rooms only, restrictions apply
  • You can request a pet-friendly room by reaching out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Deposit: USD 100 per stay

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet fee: USD 30 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Late check-out fee: USD 15.00

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
This property reserves the right to pre-authorize the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a security system
This property's front desk is open during the following times:
  • Sunday - Thursday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
To arrange for check-in, guests must contact the property at least 24 hours prior to arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests arriving after 4:30 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours must contact the property in advance for check-in information and lockbox information. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Pets are welcome in certain rooms only; other restrictions apply (please see the Fees section for related charges). To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Vagabond Inn Lake Tahoe
Vagabond Inn Motel Lake Tahoe
TrailHead Motel South Lake Tahoe
TrailHead South Lake Tahoe
Vagabond Inn South Lake Tahoe Hotel South Lake Tahoe
The TrailHead Hotel
The TrailHead South Lake Tahoe
The TrailHead Hotel South Lake Tahoe

The TrailHead Reviews

Reviews

6.8
Rating 10 - Excellent. 164 out of 653 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 175 out of 653 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 121 out of 653 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 90 out of 653 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 103 out of 653 reviews

6.8/10

Cleanliness

7.4/10

Staff & service

5.8/10

Amenities

6.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Nagendra

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
Didn’t get 2 rooms check in details, forced us to find alternate hotel first night When we checked in 2nd night, carpet was wet , tv signal was terrible, no chair to sit in the room, commode was dirty, etc
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Miriam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Everything was perfect
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

Timothy, Sparks

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Filthy filthy filthy. Stink stink stink. Has to be the worst room in Lake Tahoe. Disgusting. Putrid smell throughout the room. The carpet looked to have dog vomit, urine and feces not cleaned. The room advertises unique decor. I guess a pine light bar and toilet paper folder constitutes decor. The room literally has a bed and a floor light. No chairs to sit down. Stay away from this motel regardless of it's low price. I took photos of the carpet but there's no link to upload.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Alyson

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

4/10 Poor

DENNY

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This is a tale of two cities. Our first night was awful. We were assigned a room that we learned later had not been used in a "couple of months." Noone was there after hours (it's a 8:30-5:30 situation & you get the key from a lock box). The room we were assigned was a paired down version of a hotel room, basic uncomfortable beds, was not cleaned well (wax and stains on the comforters, hair in bed sheets, dirty sink) and it reeked of cat urine. Two of the lamps were not working, and the floor creaked badly and had obvious depressions near the closet. The cat smell was overwhelming, our kids cried and we were near abandoning ship and going somewhere else but all other options were $420+/night at last minute, so we suffered it out and send an email through hotels.com to the management. To their credit, they called us the next morning as soon as they got into the office, reassigned us to a new room and were very apologetic and gave us a discount on the stay. The new room was like a whole new world- clean, more comfortable beds, no odor of pets/cats, functioning lights and appliances, wall decor, nice newer bed covers, and felt more like what we had experienced the first time we stayed here back in 2021. So I pumped up my review based on this change- I think we were assigned that room as an oversight. We did learn that there are people living in this motel full time as residents, and we suspect it is being used as transitional housing, be aware if your travelling with kids.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

Amber

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was dirty, smelled and there was people smoking outside. Didn't feel comfortable having my kids at the hotel. We ended up getting a different hotel down the street.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

4/10 Poor

Eric

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Jhon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Muy buen ssrbvicio
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

Wei-Yin

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anthony

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It’ was perfect
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Mahsa

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

michael

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Room was clean but the mattress was deplorable. Like sleeping in a taco shell, no support. Staff was incredibly friendly and polite. Without them our trip would have been miserable.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Sai Teja

Travelled with family
Liked: Amenities
Do something with the huge blind spots while coming out of the parking lot. Really hard to see who is coming
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025

8/10 Good

Emilie

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

eliud

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Roman

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Fatima

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rahul

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Overall good.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

4/10 Poor

Steven

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Run down.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Artemio

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

kyle

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

2/10 Terrible

Lori, South San Francisco

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Dirty and old
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Dylan

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

CHARLOTTE

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Large room, clean
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Gilbert

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
The place is old, its unsafe. It really needs a full inspection by health and building inspectors. The place was clean, the girl working the desk was good. It was clean. 2nd floor, going up the stairs, there a 10 or 20 ton jack holding up the 2nd floor cat walk, so if an earthquake came and moved it ud be stuck. The bed, spring type, hard not good ., bathroom no CURTAIN, WHEN ITS LIGHT OUSIDE SAME INSIDE. The bathroom floor is really soft in the underlayment, theres gotta be holes in it. The shower, use at your own risk. Set the temp, but beware of someone else turning the water on in another room or somewhere. Itll be nice, THEN SCALDING HOT. I MEAN HOT. there is no swimming pool and appears to havent worked for some time. Its a cheap hotel. And is as such
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025