Private Nature Retreat. Dog-Friendly. Fenced Yard. Hot Tub. Walk/Bike to Trails
Escape, Unplug & Unwind at Muskwaki Pines
Welcome to Muskwaki Pines, your serene Lake Tahoe getaway tucked away in one of South Shore’s best-kept secret neighborhoods. Escape the everyday and reconnect with nature in this peaceful retreat—nestled off the beaten path, yet just minutes from all Tahoe has to offer.
The Perfect Blend of Privacy & Proximity
Set just off Pioneer Trail, Muskwaki Pines backs up to open forest and meadowland along the Upper Truckee River—only a ten-minute walk from the front door. The home’s tranquil setting offers meadow, forest, and mountain views, along with regular visits from Tahoe’s local wildlife, including bears, coyotes, migratory birds, and the occasional raccoon. Though you’re only fifteen minutes from Lake Tahoe’s beaches, trails, and attractions, you may never want to leave.
Experience Tahoe Year-Round
Every season has its magic here.
Spring: Rivers and creeks brim with snowmelt, meadows burst with wildflowers, and birds migrate north.
Summer: Long sunny days invite mountain biking, hiking, and lakeside lounging.
Fall: Cooler air, vibrant foliage, and peaceful trails make this a local favorite time of year.
Winter: Step out the front door for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing through the Upper Truckee River meadow, or hit one of three world-class ski resorts—Heavenly (15 min), Sierra-at-Tahoe (20 min), or Kirkwood (30 min).
Outdoor Adventure Awaits
Bring your mountain bike and hit legendary Tahoe trails like Powerline, Fountain Place, Hawley Grade, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and Angora Ridge—all within pedaling distance. In warmer months, set up a game of bocce or croquet on the lawn; in winter, build snowmen or relax in the four-person hot tub under a starlit sky with minimal light pollution.
Your Mountain Home Away from Home
Lovingly maintained by its longtime owners for over 30 years, Muskwaki Pines is fully stocked for comfort and convenience. The cozy interior features lodge-style furnishings, Tahoe-inspired artwork, and large windows that frame the surrounding nature.
3 Bedrooms / 2 Bathrooms: Two king bedrooms with plush pillow-top mattresses, and a third bedroom with a twin-over-queen bunk.
Kitchen: Well-equipped with appliances, cookware, and essentials—plus a hard-wired natural gas BBQ (no propane tanks needed).
Living Area: Spacious and inviting with a large Smart TV and a fireplace perfect for cozy nights in.
Laundry Room: Fully stocked and conveniently located off the kitchen.
Work Ready: High-speed WiFi and office supplies for guests who need to stay connected.
Step outside to your private fenced yard—ideal for pets—and take in the mountain air from the deck. Catch a spectacular sunset or unwind in the hot tub as the stars emerge overhead.
Guest & County Info
Sleeps up to 7 guests (El Dorado County limits occupancy to 6 guests over age 6; a 7th guest under age 6 is permitted with an additional fee).
Quiet hours: 10:00 PM – 8:00 AM
Please observe county parking, trash, and leash regulations. For details, visit El Dorado County Vacation Rental Guidelines .
Permit #: 073774
Owner is a licensed California DRE Real Estate Broker.
Stay With Us Again
Many of our guests return year after year to make Muskwaki Pines their Tahoe tradition. And if your travels take you south of the border, visit us at the Lucky Tree Ranch near Ensenada, Baja California—featuring the fully equipped Casita de Caballos (Vrbo #2784687) and the romantic Stargazer Glamping Suite (Vrbo #3602633).
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
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Winter parking maximum is two vehicles, no street parking allowed. Inquire with owner for more details.
Guest must read and sign rental agreement, provide photo ID prior to release of access info. Only 6 person over age of 6. Contact host to add people.
Quiet hours between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM, including no hot tub or outside deck use during those hours as mandated by El Dorado County Ordinance.
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number El Dorado County VHR Permit #073774
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
Frequently asked questions
Is Private Nature Retreat. Dog-Friendly. Fenced Yard. Hot Tub. Walk/Bike to Trails pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).
How much does it cost to stay at Private Nature Retreat. Dog-Friendly. Fenced Yard. Hot Tub. Walk/Bike to Trails?
As of 27 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Private Nature Retreat. Dog-Friendly. Fenced Yard. Hot Tub. Walk/Bike to Trails on 11 Apr 2026 start from £205, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Private Nature Retreat. Dog-Friendly. Fenced Yard. Hot Tub. Walk/Bike to Trails?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Private Nature Retreat. Dog-Friendly. Fenced Yard. Hot Tub. Walk/Bike to Trails?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Private Nature Retreat. Dog-Friendly. Fenced Yard. Hot Tub. Walk/Bike to Trails?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Private Nature Retreat. Dog-Friendly. Fenced Yard. Hot Tub. Walk/Bike to Trails located?
Located in Pioneer Trail, this cabin is within 3 miles (5 km) of Lake Valley State Recreation Area, Lake Tahoe Golf Course and Washoe Meadows State Park. Magic Carpet Golf is 2.8 mi (4.5 km) away.
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Great place, the hosts were very nice and accommodating.
Chuck E.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Camille S.
26 Feb 2026
The house was perfect for our girls trip. The only downside was all the dog hair that was on our clothes through out our stay. We were constantly having to use a lint roller. My friend at one point had dog hair in her mouth. Besides that the house, location , and amenities
Camille S.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Feb 2026
If issues are not reported when they arise, they cannot be addressed in a timely manner. Housekeeping would have been dispatched to eliminate the dog hair. This particular incident will be brought to their attention, so that there is no repeat.
Host was very welcoming. Let us know about a big storm coming which helped us be prepared.
Nick K.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Feb 2026
With 40 plus years of living through Tahoe winters, we understand the challenges that winter weather can present. We try to keep our guests informed from the personal "been there, done that" perspective, so they can be better prepared. The home has been outfitted to withstand power outages or other emergencies.
was driving for 12 hours when it normally takes 3 was rough. made rougher because i couldn't access vrbo while driving and just wanted to the code to get into the house when we arrived. owner wouldn't respond with an answer via text or email. let vrbo call me and try to figure it out while driving with kids and dogs. 2 dogs as i told them before, but now wont return my deposit because there was too much dog hair and said i only told them i would bring 1. will never stay here or any property owned by them again.
Matthew D.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Jan 2026
Communication is the key to success. All our guest are required to sign a contract and provide a copy of their ID in advance of receiving the access info. The sooner this is done, the smoother the check-in process and entire stay will go. Waiting until day of check-in may cause delays in the process, as was the case here. There were several responses made to facilitate this guest"s access to the information needed. As a homeowner, not a hotel or property manager, we do our best to be available at all times.
There are also some common sense house rules pertaining to pets, such as clean up after your pet, no pets on furniture, and no pet to be left unattended. When guests choose not to follow these rules, it may impact a guest's damage deposit. Damage and extra cleaning due to a guest's refusal to follow these rules are an example of when a deposit will be impacted. It has been rare, but it does happen. We do not charge an additional fee for pets, but will hold pet owners accountable.
House was pet friendly minus all the snow so could not use the fenced in area in back of house . Hot tub needed to be shocked twice due to really cloudy water . Living room area under furniture and tables had debris, bottle caps and wrappers so could have been cleaner . Some dishes and mugs were put away dirty.
Stacey E.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Jan 2026
So many dogs burst with joy romping in the snow in the fenced backyard. All housekeeping and hot tub maintenance items have been addressed by the respective crews as we strive for a high benchmark.
Spent a wonderful holiday with family at this wonderful Tahoe VRBO. Sue was a great host and was very communicative. She reached out with opportunities to extend our stay, and we wish we could have taken her up on her offer. The place had everything we needed, from the kitchen to the hot tub. It is also pet friendly and the neighborhood was quiet and had nearby trails so we could get the dogs some exercise. We would definitely recommend this place and would love to stay here again. Also the best feature is the wood burning fireplace. It kept the entire house warm and cozy!
The cabin was amazing for me and my friends for a quick little skiing/snowboard trip. We had to wash the bed sheets be more time before we slept the first night as we noticed some fur and hair. Another than that the stay was amazing!
Derrick L.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Jan 2026
The previous guest blatantly did not adhere to the house rules regarding pets. This inconvenienced everyone including housekeeping, the next guests, and the guest who chose not to comply. We do not charge a pet fee, but we will deduct from the security deposit for any excessive cleaning required.
Sue was excellent and super attentive host. We stay in cabins in South Lake Tahoe twice a year for over a decade. The house was perfect and had all the amenities we needed for a week's stay. The beds were comfy, the kitchen was well-stocked, and the location was very peaceful. We enjoyed our stay and would highly recommend this house if you want peace and quiet but still be close to the downtown life. We plan to stay here again in the future!
The house met all our needs, description is accurate. The place is homey and the enclosed yard is great for dogs. We enjoyed the nearby trails. The owners are super communicative and readily available.
House was perfect for our stay, back deck was very enjoyable, house across street needs some TLC, and neighbor to the right seems to be passive aggressive by storing a bunch of building materials right next to the deck of the rental causing a bit of an eyesore. Owners were very easy to work with and property was as presented.
Christopher V.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Oct 2025
Our guests are our eyes and ears when we are not in residence.
The stack of building materials has been addressed and will be moved out of sight immediately.
The house across the street is primarily only visible from the parking pad. Our home is oriented facing away from the street and out to the open area, the view, and the trees.
We had a great time at this home! It was in a great location that was close to town and the perfect size for our family. The check in process was nice as well. We could’ve used more fans in the back bedrooms but other than that it was great!
Had a wonderful stay here with our 6 week old daughter and our dog. It’s a lovely country setting with a nice deck/yard and beautiful trees visible out of the kitchen, dining and living room windows. Easy drive into town and to the lake, relaxing hot tub and good kitchen for making meals as well. Would stay here again!
The home is cute and very clean. Older furnishings and carpet but well kept. The beds were comfy and enough for what we needed. The hallway bathroom door did not shut well or lock which could be an issue for some, but being it was just our family staying there it was not an issue for us. Our dog loved it there and the enclosed back yard was great. The short walk to the trail and river was so beautiful and was dog heaven. We went oh a hike there everyday we were there.The hosts were exceptional and very responsive. When arrivedthe hotub looked less than inviting. The water looked cloudy and dirty. After contacting the owner they arranged to come out the next morning to empty the hotub, clean it and refill it with water. After that we felt comfortable using the hot tub later that night. Thank you to the owners for taking care of tge issyes that came up during our stay. It was quiet and a great place to star gaze at night. We enjoyed oyr stay. Thank you.
Jamie W.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Aug 2025
All reviews are appreciated. Especially during the busy high season, our guests are our ears and eyes. Rest assured, the hot tub is serviced between each guest.
Great place, very peaceful and nice big yard for my pups to play. Big comfortable beds. Nice antique furniture pieces throughout the house. The best for us was the tip on taking a trail walkable from the house, down to the upper Truckee river. Beautiful weather helped make it a great stay.
Brought my dog Rose with me for a birthday weekend a day or two. We had a wonderful time, great location, really nice home, well stocked kitchen and owner super responsive and helpful. We will definitely be back, highly recommend.
Sue and Neal were great host very accommodating even offered us a cheaper extra day rental if we didn’t want to drive back home in bad weather! Place was perfect for a quiet get away in the mountains! Will definetly be back again!
I booked this place because it was pet friendly, had a hot tub, and looked private. The space itself is pretty dated, but has some modern updates with a nice kitchen. The location is great! The house was very clean. We did have someone who said they worked for the property stop by unannounced to look at a camera. That was a little weird since I was in the hot tub. Overall a positive experience and very comfortable.
Lindsay H.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Feb 2025
What our cozy home lacks in state of the art upgrades is made up for in its very unique and special setting. A wwlcoming rural natural setting with privacy. A safe space for animals and children.
About the host
Hosted by Sue and Neal
Lake Tahoe is a special place. We have lived in Tahoe for over 40 years. Once you plant you feet you never want to leave. Max and Riley, our dogs, loved to go to the Upper Truckee River and splash in the water. As scuba divers, we have explored all around the shores of the lake. As boaters, we enjoy our outings in the summer and fall on the big blue.
Why they chose this property
Anytime of year is paradise here. This area is one of South Lake Tahoe's best kept secrets. It is off the beaten path with open space and fewer homes than most areas. The property is bordered by meadow and forest on 3 sides. The natural world is at your fingertips. The Upper Truckee River meadowland is a 10-minute walk out the front door. You can hop on your bike and hit world-class mountain bike trails in minutes.
What makes this property unique
Private setting, Fresh Mountain Air, tall pines and a beautiful lake. The river and flower studded meadow is a short walk from the front door. Wildlife cruises right through the property.
Languages:
English, Spanish
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests