Public Camping Information for the Lake Tahoe Basin
Camping in Lake Tahoe Basin can take many forms and provides visitors many great location options around the lake. On this page you will find basic info on Public Camping options for the Lake Tahoe basin and nearby options for when they are full. When Camping in Lake Tahoe visitors generally are looking easy access tot he following: Boating, safe Swimming, Kayaks or Paddleboards, Trails. or shade. These campgrounds will give you an assortment of all these.
Lake Tahoe East Shore
Nevada Beach Campground and Day Use Pavilion
Nevada Beach Campground and Day Use Area Pavillion are located on the sandy shore of Lake Tahoe. Nestled among native pine trees, it’s a quiet beach location that offers a wide range of recreational activities. Nevada Beach Campground and Day Use Area Pavilion are operated by a private concessionaire, California Land Management. For campground information (this number is not for reservations) call 775-588-5562.
Please note: Campfires are only allowed within metal fire rings in the campground. Campfires and portable charcoal grills are not allowed on the beach.
The campground offers dozens of campsites, available for tent and RV camping. Some sites are in wooded areas and others are not, many of the sites have a view of the lake.
Directions:
Nevada Beach Campground is located on the East Shore of Lake Tahoe, three miles north of Stateline, Nevada, off Elks Point Road. Take U.S. Highway 50 to Elks Point Road. Nevada Beach is on the lake side of the highway, 1/2 mile west of the intersection and the shopping center at Round Hill.
Zephyr Cove
Located on the east shore of Lake Tahoe on Highway 50. Adjacent to Zephyr Cove Resort, the day use area is located across the street from the campground and provides easy access to beautiful Lake Tahoe for numerous water activities. Few places on earth rival Lake Tahoe for unspoiled beauty, making it a natural choice for those who love to explore the great outdoors. Please note: Campfires and portable charcoal grills are not allowed on the beach. Zephyr Cove Resort and Lake Tahoe Cruises are divisions of Aramark.
Zephyr Cove WALK-IN & DRIVE-IN CAMPSITES
- 47 “walk-in” campsites (sites are uphill from parking lot.)
- 10 “drive-in” campsites, some with lake views
- Picnic Tables
- Fire Rings
- Bear-proof food lockers
- Barbecues
RV CAMPSITES
- 93 RV campsites
- Accommodate vehicles up to 40′ long
- Water, sewer, 30/50 electrical
- Cable TV lines
- Picnic Table
- Fire Ring
- Several Sites allow for one tent, off-pavement
AIRSTREAM CAMPING
A legendary camping experience for vacationers from all around the world is now available at Zephyr Cove RV & Campground. A way of life for many, a new adventure for others, Lake Tahoe will be bringing home to you.
Amenities Included
| 1 Queen Bed (sleeps 2)Convertible Dinette Table (sleeps 1)Lounge/Bed (sleeps 1)Fully Equipped KitchenGas Stove TopMicrowave | BathroomGas Grill w/ Utensils Fire PitAdirondack ChairsPicnic Table2 Bundles of Firewood per Stay |
Lake Tahoe South Shore
Bayview Campground
Bayview Campground is located near Emerald Bay and sits at an elevation of 7,100 feet. Opening and closing dates are dependant on the weather. Bayview Campground serves as a Trailhead for Desolation Wilderness. A Wilderness Permit is required to enter Desolation Wilderness.
Day hikers may pick up a day-use permit at the self serve area at the Trailhead. Overnight hikers must obtain an overnight permit before arriving at the Trailhead.
Campfires are only allowed in provided metal fire rings.
Camp Richardson
A year round destination resort, Camp Richardson Resort and Marina offers everything wonderful about outdoor recreation in Lake Tahoe in the spring, summer, winter and fall. Warm seasons provide hiking, biking, beach-going, waterplay, boat rentals, fishing, and more. Snowy seasons offer cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowplay and nearby ice-skating and sledding. The campground is just a short walk from Lake Tahoe with over 200 tent sites in two locations nestled in the shelter of towering pine trees. Badger’s Den Campground, located on the lake side of Highway 89; and Eagle’s Nest, across the street from Badger’s Den Campground, offer two tent campground options for the summer visitor. Enjoy Camp Richardson’s full amenities while camping including a full-service marina with boat rentals, lakeside restaurant, general store, mountain sports center, and ice-cream parlor are all within a short walk. Enjoy the exquisite nature that Lake Tahoe has to offer, just steps from the conveniences of a full resort. Please note: Campfires and portable charcoal grills are not allowed on the beach.
Camp Shelly
Camp Shelly is located in South Lake Tahoe on highway 89 conveniently between Fallen Leaf Lake and Emerald Bay. The campground is centrally located in the whispering pines, allowing visitors to take advantage of both the natural wonders of the Lake Tahoe basin as well as the indoor attractions of a major tourist destination. Amenities include hot showers and a metal fire pit and grill in every campsite. Most sites can accommodate tent trailers and campers and some can accommodate motorhomes up to 24 feet in length. Lake Tahoe and the Glen Alpine and Mt. Tallac trailheads are all within hiking distance. Nearby are the Taylor Creek Visitor Center and Vikingsholm.
Fallen Leaf Campground
Fallen Leaf Campground is situated on the north shore of Fallen Leaf Lake and adjacent to Taylor Creek. The south shore of Lake Tahoe is less than a mile away. The campground features 206 sites that include six yurts and standard tent and RV sites. The campground is typically open from mid-May through mid-October. Fallen Leaf Lake is less crowded and not as well-known as Lake Tahoe, making this a great base camp for exploring the many sights and recreational activities in the area. It’s a popular campground and tends to fill quickly.
D.L. Bliss State Park
D. L. Bliss State Park is a state park of California in the United States. It is located on the western shore of Lake Tahoe just north of Emerald Bay State Park. Notable features include Rubicon Point Light, the highest-elevation lighthouse in the United States. The campsite fee ($45 for Beach Camp and $35 for all others) includes one vehicle. The max trailer length is 15′. The max motorhome length is 18′. This is a historic campground with small roads, small campsites and small parking pads. This campground does not have hook-ups, however, there is a dump station available for registered campers
Lake Tahoe is a popular destination and reservations are required. Reservations for DL Bliss Campground will begin May 27th – Labor Day 2021. To make a reservation, go to reservecalifornia.com or call 800-444-7275 – Reservations may be made 6 months in advance of your arrival date.
Eagle Point Campground
Cozy lakeside campground with basic facilities, including toilets & coin showers, plus scenic views. Emerald Bay State Park is located 12 miles north of South Lake Tahoe. Vehicles cannot drive down to the lake, however, there are many vistas and hiking trails. Vikingsholm can be reached by parking in the Vikingshom parking lot by Highway 89 at Emerald Bay. Access to lower Vikingsholm is via a steep one mile pedestrian trail that drops 400 feet in elevation to the house. Restrooms and water fountain available near the mansion during the summer. Regulations:
No Dogs – Dogs are not allowed on any trails or roads into Emerald Bay, nor on the beach. Dog regulations are enforced year-round.
No Fires
No Drones
No vehicles or bicycles
No camping except within the designated campgrounds
City of Lake Tahoe Campground
Campground by the Lake is located in the heart of South Lake Tahoe at 1150 Rufus Allen Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150. The 178 campsite facility is conveniently located within walking distance to the shores of Lake Tahoe and one of South Lake Tahoe’s most popular parks and beaches ~ Lakeview Commons at El Dorado Beach. Located within the campground and included in campground fees are heated showers, 6 restroom facilities, BBQ’s, Fire Rings, and Picnic Tables at each site.
Tahoe Valley Campground
Whether you prefer the luxuries of an RV or the excitement of tent camping, you’ll be surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of towering pines and mountain vistas at Tahoe Valley RV Resort. You’ll enjoy the beaches or a stroll by the river from this South Lake Tahoe RV park. When you’ve finished playing and relaxing in the great outdoors, the fabulous casinos of Stateline, Nevada offer world famous dining and casino night life for your pleasure.
Tahoe Valley RV Resort offers something for everyone. Bring the whole family to a Lake Tahoe RV park. Some call it camping. We call it fun!
Luther Campground
Campground in El Dorado County, California. Located on HWY 89 out of Myers headed towards Kirkwood. Located at the Big Meadow Trailhead for TRT.
Lake Tahoe – West Shore
The west shore of Lake Tahoe is located on the California side of the lake. Highway 89 stretches along this side of the lake with access via Highway 50 to the south and Interstate 80 to the north. Recreational opportunities abound on the west shore where you will find water activities, camping, hiking, downhill skiing/snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Attractions include nearby Squaw Valley USA, Alpine Meadows, Granite Chief Wilderness, Meeks Bay and Meeks Bay Resort, the Ehrman Mansion and access to the Rubicon Trail, one of the most popular OHV routes in the country.
Meeks Bay Campground
Meeks Bay Campground is uniquely situated between the two California State Parks of Sugar Point Park and D.L. Bliss on the west shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe. There is also easy access into Desolation Wilderness.
Kaspian Campground
Kaspian Campground is located on the west shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe and offers easy access to Lake Tahoe for kayaking and swimming.
William Kent Campground
William Kent Campground is located on the West Shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe. The campground sites are surrounded by big pine and fir trees. A day use area is located across the street from the campground for lake access activities. William Kent Campground is on Forest Service land and is operated by the private concessionaire, California Land Management.
Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
Ed Z’berg – Sugar Pine Point State Park contains one of the finest remaining natural areas on Lake Tahoe. With nearly two miles of lake frontage, the park has dense forests of pine, fir, aspen and juniper.
Another attraction is the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion (also known as Pine Lodge), a summer home built in 1903 in a grove of pine and cedar. From the turn of the century until 1965, the lands of what is now Ed Z’berg – Sugar Pine Point State Park were owned by financier Isaias W. Hellman, and later by his daughter Florence Hellman Ehrman. The mansion provides an interesting view into the lifestyles of the wealthy on Lake Tahoe.
Tahoe State Recreation Area Campground
The campground has 23 campsites with picnic tables, required-use food storage containers. Campground allows trailers up to 15′ and RV/Campers up to 21′.
There are showers and restrooms available for registered campers.
Tahoe SRA does not have hook-ups or dump stations and is best for tent camping or the use of smaller trailers and RVs.
Lake Forest Campground
Lake Forest Campground is your special spot in North Lake Tahoe. Campsites are available on a first-come first-serve basis and located just a few blocks away from the Lake Forest Beach. Feel free to visit Pomin Park during your stay for some baseball or soccer. 20 camp sites – First-Come First-Serve Only– Pump water – Portable restrooms
SILVER CREEK CAMPGROUND
Silver Creek Campground is located along the Truckee River and adjacent to Highway 89 South, seven miles south of Truckee, and not far from Tahoe City. The campground offers 19 single-family sites. Sites range from shaded by large trees to very open. Seven sites are designated for tent-camping only. These sites are a short walk-in and overlook the Truckee River. Other sites are close to Highway 89. All sites are a short walking distance to the river. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, campfire ring and grill. Each site has a bear box that must be used to store food and other scented items such as toiletries and pet food. Firewood available at the campground at host site. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided.Most roads within campground are paved. Larger RVs not recommended. Highway 89 road noise can be heard.
Goose Meadow Campground
Goose Meadow Campground is located between the Truckee River and Highway 89, five miles south of Truckee, and not far from Tahoe City. The campground is situated on the banks above the Truckee River. Most sites are forested and shaded, and all are a short walking distance to the river. The campground offers 25 single-family campsites, each equipped with a picnic table, campfire ring and grill. Each site has a bear box that must be used to store food and other scented items such as toiletries and pet food. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water also provided. Firewood available at campground at the host site. Please note that Highway 89 road noise can be heard from this campground.
Most single family sites and group campgrounds can be reserved at www.recreation.gov or (877) 444-6777.
Mt. Rose Campground
Mount Rose Campground is conveniently located between Reno and Lake Tahoe just off scenic Mount Rose Highway. Visitors love the campground for its proximity to excellent hiking trails and recreational opportunities at Lake Tahoe.
Martis Creek Campground
Located close to Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and Reno, Martis has a beautiful, peaceful campground off the beaten path. Martis Creek area features hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and catch and release trout fishing.
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