I have hiked on the Tahoe Rim Trail, and according to this
site and my experience:
1. Permits on the Tahoe Rim Trail are required to enter the Desolation Wilderness (5. Echo Lakes to Barker Pass section) for overnight use. There is no fee for day use. No permit is required for overnight camping on the remaining trail.
2. Permits are also required for camp stoves and campfires on all portions of the Tahoe Rim Trail.I believe that the rest of the trail outside of Desolation Wilderness is just National Forest, which means almost anything goes...
BTW, everyone here hikes/backpacks everywhere, so it's actually a nice change-up to talk about other places, too.
