Camping in Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is all about the great outdoors, so it’s natural that it would be a popular camping destination for visitors from around the country. Here in this mountain paradise, there are so many camping opportunities ranging from very primitive sites, to beautiful National Forest Service facilities with great views, to commercial campgrounds offering a host of amenities. Which you choose depends on the level of creature comforts you seek during your camping trip, but the possibilities are certainly endless.
There are camping facilities in North and South Lake Tahoe and on both the Nevada and California sides of the lake. Here’s a list of some of the most popular state and private campgrounds.
South Lake Tahoe
- D.L. Bliss State Park (California) – This attractive park offers about 150 campsites that can accommodate trailers up to 15-feet and campers up to 21-feet long. No hook-ups are available but showers and flush toilets are on site. The views are stunning! Reservations are made through California State Parks – (800)444-PARK.
- Emerald Bay State Park (California) – This area is for boat camping ONLY. There are 20 boat sites with mooring buoys and boaters can sleep on their vessel or at a site assigned to them on shore. Campsites have storage lockers, a table, and a fire ring. Chemical toilets are available but there are no showers. Sites are available on a first come, first serve basis only.
- Sugar Pine Point State Park (California) – A very lovely place to camp, Sugar Pine Point has sites that accommodate RVs up to 30 feet and trailers up to 24 feet long. Amenities here include flush toilets, hot showers (in the summer), dump station, a pier, nature trails, and even a museum. These campsites are open year round and this is an excellent place for cross country skiing as well.
- Campground by the Lake – Operated by the City of Lake Tahoe, this facility has 157 campsites, can accommodate RVs, and is open early April through October. Amenities include some sites with electric, BBQs, free showers, fire rings, picnic tables, and a dump site.
- KOA of South Lake Tahoe – This popular KOA campground includes hot showers, modern restrooms, a heated pool (in season), dump station, propane, and a fully-stocked general store. RV sites have full hook-ups and some have cable TV. Sites for tent camping are available as well.
- Tahoe Valley Campgrounds – This large facility has 415 sites available and can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet long. Full hook-ups are offered. There are also hot showers, flush toilets, a pool, tennis courts, laundry facilities, and a camp store for necessities and snacks.
- Zephyr Cove Resort (Nevada) – Nicely secluded and very quiet, Zephyr Cove offers a variety of campsites as well as a number of private cabins. Tent and pick-up campers are welcome as well as RVs and trailers. Restrooms, hot showers, and coin-operated laundry facilities are onsite.
North Lake Tahoe
§ Tahoe National Forest (Truckee Ranger District) – Located 13 miles north of Lake Tahoe, this area offers campgrounds in three areas: Highway 89 north of Truckee, Stampede and Boca reservoirs area, and the Truckee river corridor along Highway 89 between Truckee and Tahoe City. In all, there are a total of more than 500 sites available here in the National Forest. Amenities vary with the site chosen. Reservations can be made online in advance or by calling (877)444-6777.
§ Donner Memorial State Park (California) – This state park has 150 campsites available to visitors and is ideal for those who want to take advantage of some hiking and other outdoor activities just outside their doorstep. There are several trails within the park as well as access to fishing. Restrooms are onsite and there’s a day use area as well.
§ Tahoe State Recreation Area – Here you’ll find 31 tent and RV sites that disappear quickly in the busy vacation season. Campers can measure up to 21 feet and trailers up to 15 feet-long. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, a fishing pier, laundry facilities, and a general store.
§
Coachland RV Park – Located in Truckee, this
privately-owned park has more than 130 RV sites and can accommodate vehicles
up to 40 feet. A good choice for families, the park recently built a new
clubhouse and there’s also a ball field, horseshoe pit, and craft room. Hot
showers and flush toilets are available.
Return to Lake Tahoe Travel Guide Main Page