Lake Tahoe Campgrounds and Resorts in California 2024

There's nothing quite like camping at Lake Tahoe—the crisp mountain air, starry nights spent around the campfire, and sipping hot coffee as the sun rises over the lake.

The campgrounds at Lake Tahoe are ideal for beginning your exploration of the epic surrounding the basin, and they are typically available from mid-May to mid-October.

From the North Shore to the South, there are camping possibilities all around the lake, and in true Lake Tahoe style, each has its own distinct flavor.

This is the greatest place to find camping in Lake Tahoe. Grab your camping supplies, put the cooler on ice, and head out to explore!

Best Lake Tahoe Campground

Lake Tahoe, CA campgrounds are often larger and more family-oriented. Consider full connections, convenience stores, RV turnarounds, and on-site rentals.

If convenience and accessibility are crucial components of your camping experience, book a stay on the south shore.

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1. Campground by The Lake

Well located within walking distance of the shores of Lake Tahoe, Campground by the Lake offers a variety of amenities and facilities, from recreation and swimming complexes to baseball fields, ice arenas, and children's accommodations.

There are 178 campground facilities available. There is also a playground, hiking and biking trails, a visitor center, and the Bijou Golf Course.

Located on the shores of the "Jewel of the Sierra," Campground by the Lake features a picnic area, tables, fire pits, modern restrooms with hot showers, and an RV dump station.

Recreational activities in the area include swimming, boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, pedal boating, hiking, and mountain biking.

2. Camp Richardson Historic Resort and Marina

Camp Richardson consists of three different campgrounds with approximately 210 camping spaces. Badger's Den Campground, located on the lakefront of Emerald Bay Road/Highway 89, has 84 tent-only sites.

Eagle's Nest Campground, located on the opposite side of Highway 89 from Badger's Den Campground, has 30 tent-only sites. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, grate, and food locker.

Camp Richardson also features a 96-site RV town, which provides some of the greatest Lake Tahoe RV camping options in the vicinity.

The RV offers both partial and full hookup sites. Camp Richardson Campground provides tap water and restrooms with flush toilets.

3. Meeks Bay Resort and Marina

Meeks Bay Resort and Marina is conveniently positioned for exploring all that Lake Tahoe has to offer and offers a variety of amenities and facilities.

Meeks Bay offers a broad, crescent-shaped beach with shallow water that is ideal for young children and for launching recreational devices such as canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.

The resort features cottages that overlook the lake, a seaside restaurant, and a big campsite with roomy tent and RV sites, plenty of shade from towering pine trees, and easy access to the beach.

Each campsite offers complete hookups, some pull-through sites, and clean bathrooms and showers.

Campers can participate in a variety of activities, including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.

READ ALSO: Southwick Campgrounds and RV Parks

4. William Kent Campground

William Kent Campground, which is only two miles outside of Tahoe City, is a great option for those who want to experience a little bit of everything.

Located across the highway from the lake and tucked away in a pine forest, you'll have equal access to the surrounding beaches and trails, the outdoors, and the city.

Though close to the town, William Kent properties offer a peaceful haven. Nestled in the forest beneath a canopy of trees, the campground offers standard amenities like grills, fire pits, and picnic tables in addition to flush toilets and fresh water.

5. Lake Tahoe State Park

Lake Tahoe State Park is a 14,300-acre park surrounding Lake Tahoe, the "jewel of Nevada." Known for its spectacular natural beauty, Lake Tahoe is considered the jewel of the High Sierra.

Famous for its cobalt blue waters and surrounding snow-capped mountains, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and attracts tourists from all over the world to explore and experience the region's spectacular scenery. Masu.

Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America, features gently sloping beaches, crystal clear water, and unusual rock formations, offering a wealth of activities from swimming, kayaking, and sand harbor diving to boating, fishing, and water skiing. You can enjoy it.

The lake's crystal clear waters are perfect for water activities such as kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and boating in the summer.

Surrounding state parks, national forests, and nature preserves offer a variety of hiking, biking trails, and picnic areas to enjoy.

During the winter months, snow-covered slopes emerge perfect for skiers of all levels, and the cozy lakeside restaurant with crackling fireplace offers beautiful winter views.

6. Kaspian Campground

One could argue that a visit to Kaspian Campground, a primitive campground with just nine tent-only sites, demands a particular kind of person.

Yes, you will have to forgo a shower and your site is a flight of stairs from your car, but you will acquire authenticity in exchange for these conveniences.

You will have many memories of camping the way it used to be during your stay at Kaspian Campground because there are no trailers, RVs, van lifers, or generators.

Of course, there are still grills, campfire rings, and flush toilets. A camp host is also available to assist with any needs you may have. Furthermore, a bike path and the ocean are directly across the street from you.

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7. Meeks Bay Campground

Meeks Bay campsite is a tiny, federally operated campsite located just down the beach from Meeks Bay Beach Resort and Marina. It provides a quieter and more basic camping experience than the resort.

The campground, located along the same excellent stretch of beach, provides big shady sites surrounded by pine trees and with lovely views of the lake.

All sites are back-in and may fit RVs between 18 and 25 feet long, with a few exceptions for longer units. They do not have hookups, and the facilities only have flush toilets, not showers.

8. Camp Shelley

Just 25 simple individual campsites make up Camp Shelley, a small, intimate campground located 1.5 miles from the lake in South Lake Tahoe, nestled in a pine forest.

While some of the sites can house huge vehicles or trailers up to 24 feet in length and 10 feet in height, others can only accept RVs, tent trailers, motor homes, and boats.

Plenty of parking, fire pits, picnic tables, barbecues, and spotless restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets are among their many amenities.

There are lots of activities available at the campground, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, swimming in the neighboring lake, and sports like volleyball, ping pong, and horseshoes.

9. Eagle Point Campground

Located at the Emerald Bay entrance to Emerald Bay State Park, Eagle Point Campground is ideally located for exploring this beautiful area.

This campsite is located on a headland that juts out into the bay and offers a variety of pitches for tents, caravans up to 18ft, and motorhomes up to 21ft.

Eagle Point Campground, operated by California State Parks, has 100 sites that have campground water faucets but no hookups.

Facilities include paid showers and flush toilets. Dogs are allowed with restrictions. Another great campground for hikers, Eagle Point Campground is home to the Rubicon Trail, one of the most popular hiking trails near South Lake Tahoe.

10. Fallen Leaf Campground

Fallen Leaf Campground, nestled among towering trees and surrounded by woodland, provides a more wilderness-style experience and a tranquil respite from the people on the lake's shoreline.

This campground is a hiker's dream, with numerous paths to explore, including the Moraine Trail, Glen Alpine, and Mt. Tallac.

Fallen Leaf Campground provides 200 spacious tent and RV sites, as well as six yurts. The RV sites feature asphalt parking pads, and some are pull-through, while others may handle very large vehicles. The facilities include flush toilets and showers.

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11. Carson Valley RV Resort

This RV park is a good option if you wish to base your trip in Minden. The Carson Valley RV Resort puts you near the attractions of Lake Tahoe (20 miles) and Reno (49 miles) with all the comforts of small-town living.

Located behind the Carson Valley Station on N Highway 395 lies the Carson Valley RV Resort. Each of the 59 campsites has cable TV hookups, water, sewage, and electricity (50 and 30 amp). Of these, 33 are back-in locations and 26 are pull-through locations.

Guests at Carson Valley RV Resort get access to the spa, pool, and fitness center within the hotel. Free Wi-Fi, a pet area, restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities are available on-site. Convenience shop offering diesel, gas, and some grocery goods is located nearby.

12. DL Bliss State Park Campground

One of the most beautiful spots in Lake Tahoe, Florida, Bliss State Park features golden sand beaches, crystal clear water, dramatic rock outcroppings, and breathtaking views of the mountains beyond.

Located on a lake, this park's campgrounds offer comfortable, spacious sites in wooded areas with plenty of space to park a large RV and views of the lake through the trees.

You can watch it. Each site has easy access to the lake, where campers can launch canoes, kayaks, and other personal watercraft, and children can play in the shallow water. Hikers can access the popular Rubicon hiking trail directly from the park.

13. Sugar Pine Point State Park

Adjacent to the state park of the same name, Sugar Pine Campground provides a delightful taste of Tahoe heritage while being close to the beaches and trails of the west side.

The Ehrman Mansion is the focal point of the campgrounds, and there are two miles of lakefront along with several pathways that meander among native fir, aspen, and pine trees.

In addition to the standard amenities like tables, fire rings, and food storage containers, the campsites here have access to flush toilets, pure drinking water, showers, and a campground host. Overall, this state park is highly recommended and is among the best in Tahoe.

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14. Silver City RV Resort

One of the biggest RV resorts near Lake Tahoe is Silver City. The purpose of this fully equipped Lake Tahoe RV park is to provide guests seeking a peaceful camping location with a pleasurable and restful stay.

The Silver City RV Resort is located on Highway 395, 6.6 miles south of Carson City. Measuring 35 feet wide and 55 to 65 feet long, it provides 202 RV spots. Both long-term and short-term charges are offered for the cement and gravel pads at the sites.

There is a full-service convenience shop, video games, a beauty salon, a rec room, and daily mail service available at the park. The campground also has a playground, a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a laundry room, and free Wi-Fi.

15. Nevada Beach Campground

With dozens of tent and RV sites (no hookups, unfortunately!) only feet from the huge lakefront, Nevada Beach Campground is a popular summer vacation destination.

This campground, located on the lake's south-east shore, includes the necessities, including flush toilets, campfire rings, and a grill.

Nevada Beach, located nearby, has one of the lake's longest expanses of sand as well as one of the best dog-friendly beaches in the vicinity. Some places are just feet from the sand. The rest of them are tucked back in the forest, but still a short walk away.

16. Bayview Campground

Due to its prime location on Inspiration Point Lookout overlooking Emerald Bay, Bayview Campground is a small but perfectly situated campground that is a hiker and tourist hotspot.

The campground is perfectly situated to provide quick access to several of the area's well-known hiking trails, such as Granite Lake, Cascade Falls/Cascade Lake, and other connected paths that meander through the Desolation Wilderness.

The campground isn't as peaceful as other sites in the region because it's off Highway 89, but it has the best access to the lake.

There are 12 first-come, first-served campsites in the small campground, which can hold tents and small RVs. Amenities include picnic tables, fire pits, pit toilets, barbecues, and lockers for storing food.

17. Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park Campground

Ed Z'Berg Sugar Pine spit State Park, located just north of Meeks Bay on a picturesque spit of land on the border of Lake Tahoe, is a magnificent place to camp and is home to over a thousand acres of forested mountains with the tallest pine trees in the world.

The campground offers a pleasant, shaded camping place and is situated somewhat less than a mile from the park's main area. It is thickly covered with huge pines.

Large, well-spaced campsites with flush toilets, showers, and an RV dump station are available. Despite not being close to the lake, the campground is connected to the waterfront area by a path and a number of great hiking paths.

In the winter, Sugar Pine Point State Park offers visitor programs and features more than 20 kilometers of designated cross-country ski and snowshoe routes.

The Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, often called Pine Lodge, is another landmark in the park. Built in 1903, it offers a fascinating look into the affluent people's lifestyles on Lake Tahoe.

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18. Zephyr Cove Resort

Zephyr Cove Resort and campsite, located in Lake Tahoe's south-east corner, is a wonderful, full-service campsite ideal for both RV and tent campers.

Zephyr Cove has 93 RV, 47 walk-in, and 10 drive-in sites along the shoreline, making it ideal for a family camping experience.

Although campsites are secluded in the wilderness among stones and towering pines, there are plenty of modern amenities to enjoy.

The campground has restrooms, showers, and full hookups (with TV), while the resort has an on-site restaurant, marina, rentals, and more.

19. Tahoe SRA Campground

Tahoe SRA Campground is a charming tiny campground on Highway 28 that is 1/4 mile from Tahoe City.

Each of the campground's 28 campsites include a paved parking pad, a table, a grill or fire ring, and a container for storing food. Both tents and tiny trailers/RVs can be parked at campgrounds.

The campground is close to the bike/walking route, the lake, and downtown Tahoe City. It is, however, directly on the highway, with a slightly louder noise level for sites 1-6 and 20-27.

Showers, flush toilets, and drinking water are available at Tahoe SRA Campground. Dump stations and hook-ups are absent.

20. Luther Campground

Luther Campground is just a few miles from South Lake Tahoe and is a great place to stay for travelers on a budget.

The campground is free, open to all users, and has a seven-day stay limit. At the end of the trail is the Big Meadow Trailhead, a parking area for hikers and hikers visiting part or all of the Tahoe Rim Trail.

Camping here is considered scattered as there are no vehicles near the campsite, but the walking distance to each campsite is no more than 50 meters.

Some areas are completely isolated from others, providing a level of privacy and solitude. There is no drinking water; however, Big Meadow Creek runs nearby and provides a freshwater source.

Yellow jackets are a problem here, buzzing around any food that isn't in a sealed container. These insects are generally not aggressive and will not bite unless provoked, but you should be careful, especially if one of your party has allergies.

READ ALSO: Lake Almanor Campgrounds

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the price of camping at Tahoe?

The type of camping and the amenities offered by the campsite affect the cost of camping in Lake Tahoe. Bicycle and hiking trails start at about $7. RV and tent camping sites in Lake Tahoe typically cost between $20 and $60.

Q2. Is swimming safe in Lake Tahoe?

Yes, swimming is safe in Lake Tahoe, but be prepared for cool water due to snowmelt and rain. With more than 40 sand beaches, swimming is a popular activity for most tourists to Lake Tahoe.

Q3. How much time is enough to spend at Lake Tahoe?

If you wish to take advantage of Lake Tahoe's many attractions and enjoyable activities, schedule at least three days to camp there. That being said, you could easily spend a week at Lake Tahoe without getting bored.

Q4. Is camping at Lake Tahoe free of charge?

There is a charge for campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe basin. Moreover, scattered camping is prohibited inside the basin. However, there are many of locations close to Lake Tahoe that permit scattered camping.

Near Lake Tahoe, Luther Pass, Hope Valley, Scotts Lake, and Dog Valley Road are our top picks for scattered campsites. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is home to the latter two.

Q5. Which season is ideal for traveling to Lake Tahoe?

The ideal months to visit Lake Tahoe during the warm months are June through September. Unsurprisingly, this is Lake Tahoe's busiest time of year, so be prepared to share the trails and the water with other tourists.

If you want to avoid the crowds, think about visiting in the spring in April and May or the fall in September through November. Wintertime in the Lake Tahoe area brings lots of snowfall from December to February, which is the ideal time of year for snowboarding and skiing.

Bottom Line

There can't be fifteen million erroneous answers! That is the total number of tourists that Lake Tahoe receives each year.

Although there are more than 1500 tent and RV campsites nearby, at the busiest times of the year, Lake Tahoe camping areas quickly fill up.

Choose your preferred kind of camping, secure your location well in advance, and then visit Lake Tahoe to take in the breathtaking surroundings.