Lake Tahoe Camping: Our Top Lake Tahoe Campground Picks

Lake Tahoe - or the jewel of the Sierra Nevada - has forever drawn campers and outdoor purists. This alpine lake boasts over a dozen campgrounds typically grouped as east, west, north, and south shore camping spots.

South Lake Tahoe camping grounds are the most popular. Besides its long and clean sandy beaches, this region offers modern conveniences in bulk (think nightclubs with live music, lots of shopping, and gas stations). You’ll also find the best short and long-day hikes on the south shore. 

North Lake Tahoe camping grounds put you closer to all the modern conveniences as well. But this corner has a more laid-back feel to it. For a quieter and more modest camping experience, you’ll want to consider campgrounds on the east side of the lake. 

If you want to go camping in Lake Tahoe, here are some of the best campgrounds you should consider. 

Key Takeaways

• Dispersed camping is not allowed in the Lake Tahoe area.
• Zephyr Cove, Carson Valley, and Silver City Resorts provide full RV hook-ups near Lake Tahoe. 
• Camping at South Lake Tahoe is recommended if you want accessibility and convenience. 
• Consider reserving your camping spot as early as possible, especially if you are eyeing a campground by the Lake Tahoe area. 
• Year-round tent camping at Lake Tahoe is usually nearly impossible. However, most RV resorts are open all seasons. 

Top North Shore Lake Tahoe Camping Spots

Lake Forest Campground

Lake Forest Campground is a first-come, first-served campground operated by the Tahoe City Public Utility District. It’s located 112 miles northeast of Sacramento, CA, 1.3 miles north of Tahoe City, and only ½ a mile from the lake shore. 

This campground has 20 single-family campsites that are great for tents and campers under 25 feet. Each site has a campfire ring, picnic table, and grill. The campground has pumped water on site and portable toilets. 

• Open: May through August
• Cost: $25/night

Tahoe State Recreation Area

If you’re looking for the best Lake Tahoe Campground near Tahoe City, this is it. Tahoe State Recreation Area Campground is just a quarter mile from the charming and beautiful town of Tahoe City on Highway 28. The surrounding Jeffrey Pines, quick access to the shore, and lake views make up for its rather odd location.  

Tahoe State Recreation Area Campground has seven tent-only camping sites and 16 mixed-use sites that allow tents and small RVs/trailers. 

Each site has a camping food storage locker, fire ring, and picnic table. There are flush toilets and tap water on site, but no hook-ups. 

• Open: Late May to early September
• Cost: $35/night

Top South Shore Lake Tahoe Camping Spots

Camp Richardson

Camp Richardson is comprised of three separate campgrounds with around 210 camping sites. Badger’s Den Campground is on the lakeside of Emerald Bay Road/Highway 89 and consists of 84 tent-only sites. Eagle’s Nest Campground is on the other side of Highway 89 opposite Badger’s Den Campground and offers 30 tent-only sites. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, grate, and food locker. 

Camp Richardson also has a 96-site RV village that offers some of the best Lake Tahoe RV camping spots in the area. The RV provides both partial and full hook-up sites. Camp Richardson Campground has tap water and restroom facilities with flush toilets. 

• Open: Badger’s Den and Eagle’s Nest (June through September); RV Village (March through October)
• Cost: tent sites $50-$55; RV sites $75-$85

Camp Shelly

Camp Shelly is a small campground conveniently located seven miles west of downtown South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89. It’s tucked in a pine forest between Cascade Lake and Fallen Leaf Lake. Lake Tahoe is 1.5 miles from here. 

This South Lake Tahoe Campground has 25 campsites. These are primarily tent camping sites, although they can accommodate motorhomes of up to 24 feet. Each site has a metallic fire pit with a grill, a picnic table, and a bear-proof locker. Amenities at the campground include drinking water, flush toilets, and hot showers. 

• Open: Early June to early September
• Cost: $50-$60/night

Tahoe Valley Campground

This is one of the best campgrounds in Lake Tahoe for families. It’s particularly popular with campers who want to experience the great outdoors without giving up on the creature comforts. 

Tahoe Valley Campground is privately owned and operated. It has 415 tent and RV camping sites and offers full hook-up facilities. Amenities include drinking water, restrooms with flush toilets, showers, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi ($). 

The campground has a ton of activities to keep everyone entertained when you’re not exploring Tahoe Lake and its environs. Think of swimming, tennis, basketball, movie nights, karaoke, and ice cream socials. 

• Open: Year-round
• Cost: $85-$160

Fallen Leaf Campground

Fallen Leaf is a good campground if you’re camping at South Lake Tahoe and prefer a quieter and serene place. This campground is located in a forested alpine canyon a quarter mile north of the forested Fallen Leaf Lake shores. Lake Tahoe’s south coast is less than a mile away from here.

There are 206 campsites at Fallen Leaf Campground, comprising six yurts, standard tent sites, and RV sites. The camping sites have paved parking spurs, bear lockers, picnic tables, and fire rings with grates. Campground amenities include potable water, coin-operated hot shower facilities, flush toilets, a parking area, a picnic area, and a dump station. 

• Open: Mid-May to Mid-October
• Cost: $41/night; yurts $110/night

Top East Shore Lake Tahoe Camping Spots

Nevada Beach Campground

Nevada Beach Campground is a quiet campground in the northeastern corner of beautiful Lake Tahoe. This campground is within walking distance of Sand Harbor State Park, which offers numerous recreational activities, including boating, swimming, and fishing. A range of hiking trails, like the Sand Point Nature Trail and the Memorial Point Trail, also start around this campground. 

Nevada Beach Campground has 54 tent and RV camping sites, many of which have lake views. Each campsite accommodates up to six people and two vehicles. The sites have tables, campfire rings, and food storage lockers. Flush toilets and drinking water are available at the campground. 

• Open: Mid-May to Mid-October
• Cost: $30-$45/night

Zephyr Cove Resort

Just four miles north of Stateline on Highway 50, you’ll find Zephyr Cove Resort RV Park and Campground. This is a family-friendly campground conveniently located on Lake Tahoe’s southeast shore. Staying here means that you enjoy all the fun things to do in South Lake Tahoe before retreating to the serenity of a quiet campground in a wooded setting. 

Zephyr Cove Resort Campground has 150 tent and RV camping sites, some with views of the lake. The sites have picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof food lockers. The newly redesigned RV campsites have full hook-up connections and accommodate vehicles up to 40 feet long. 

While it’s particularly popular in summer, Zephyr Cove Resort is open year-round, making it one of the best Lake Tahoe skiing destinations. 

• Open: Year-round
• Cost: $95/night

Top West Shore Lake Tahoe Camping Spots

Emerald Bay State Park

If the south shore campgrounds in Tahoe are full, Emerald Bay State Park Campground is a worthy alternative. This campground is 12 miles north of South Lake Tahoe and 22 miles south of Tahoe City along Highway 89. It covers the entire shoreline of Emerald Bay and offers its guests incredible views of the bay and Lake Tahoe. 

Emerald Bay State Park (a.k.a. Eagle Point Campground) has 97 campsites split into two loops. About half of these are mixed-use sites that accommodate tents, RVs, and trailers up to 18 feet, while the rest accept tents only. You’ll also find 20 boat-in campsites at Emerald Bay Boat Camp. 

Each site has a food locker, table, and fire ring. The campground has tap water, flush toilets, coin-operated showers, and an amphitheater. There’s a dump station but no hook-ups. 

• Open: Mid-May to early September
• Cost: $25-$45/night

Sugar Pine Point State Park

Sugar Pine Point Park hugs Lake Tahoe for almost two miles, making it the largest state park at the lake. The park boasts an unspoiled lakefront and a dense forest of aspen, juniper, and fir. This makes it the best place for camping near Lake Tahoe if you want to base yourself a bit further from the crowds of the south shore but still closer to many wonderful attractions. 

Sugar Pine Point State Park Campground (a.k.a. General Creek or Ed Z’berg) has 175 tent and RV/trailer sites. Some can be reserved, while others are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The sites have a bear-resistant food locker, table, and fire ring, but no hook-ups. There is tap water, restrooms with flush toilets, showers, an RV dump station, a picnic area, and firewood for sale within the campground. 

• Open: Year-round
• Cost: $35/night ($25/night during winter season)

DL Bliss State Park Campground

DL Bliss State Park Campground is another excellent alternative if you’re looking for the best Lake Tahoe campgrounds with the finest beaches. What we love most about this campground is its location. It’s 17 miles south of Tahoe City and a few miles away from Stateline and South Lake Tahoe. Emerald Bay, Cascade Lake, and Fallen Leaf Lake are nearby, too. In short, this campground puts you right at the center of the action. Whether you’re interested in swimming, scuba diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, or mountain biking, you can enjoy it here. 

DL Bliss State Park Campground has 140 camping sites, including tent-only, group, RV, hike, and bike sites. Pets are welcome but must always be attended to. The sites have a fire ring, picnic table, and a food locker. Campground amenities include coin-operated showers, flush toilets, tap water, and an amphitheater. There are no RV hook-ups at DL Bliss State Park Campground. 

• Open: May through September
• Cost: Hike and Bike sites $7; standard sites $35; lakefront sites $45

Top Lake Tahoe RV Camping Spots

Silver City RV Resort

Silver City is one of the largest Lake Tahoe RV resorts. This full hook-up Lake Tahoe RV park is designed to offer a relaxing and enjoyable experience to campers looking for a serene camping spot.

Silver City RV Resort is 6.6 miles south of Carson City along Highway 395. It has 202 RV sites measuring 35 ft wide and 55 to 65 ft long. The sites have gravel and cement pads available at short-term and long-term rates. 

The park has a full-service convenience store with daily postal service, video gaming, a beauty salon, and a rec room. Other amenities in the campground include free Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a laundry area, and a playground. 

• Open: Year-round
• Cost: $40-$55/night, weekly and monthly rates available 

Carson Valley RV Resort

If you want to base your stay in Minden, this RV park is worth considering. Carson Valley RV Resort enjoys all the conveniences of small-town living while putting you close to the attractions at Lake Tahoe (20 miles) and Reno (49 miles). 

Carson Valley RV Resort is situated along N Highway 395 behind the Carson Valley Station. It features 59 campsites, each with electricity (50 and 30 amp), water, sewer, and cable TV hook-ups. Of these, 26 sites are pull-through, and 33 are back-in sites. 

Carson Valley RV Resort guests can use the hotel's spa, pool, and fitness facilities. Other amenities include on-site laundry facilities, restrooms, showers, a pet area, and free Wi-Fi. There’s a convenience store with gas, diesel, and select grocery items nearby. 

• Open: Year-round
• Cost: $39-$60/night

Tips for Camping in Lake Tahoe

Camping in Lake Tahoe is similar to camping in other US campgrounds. However, there are a few things that can make camping at Lake Tahoe a memorable experience:

Reservations

Lake Tahoe is one of the best lakes in the US. Unsurprisingly, the best campgrounds in Lake Tahoe fill up almost as soon as they open up for reservations. Reserve your camping spot as early as six months in advance.

Didn’t Reserve a Spot in Time?

It’s understandable if you’re not a fan of planning months in advance for a camping trip. Luckily, most campgrounds at Lake Tahoe have first-come, first-served camping options. If you prefer first-come, first-served, arrive early (by 8 AM). Planning your trip on a weekday during the off-season increases your chances of snagging one of the best Lake Tahoe camping sites. 

What to Pack?

A tent, sleeping bag, headlamp, and sleeping pad are necessary when camping in South Lake Tahoe and other campgrounds. But you also need to think about what to wear, especially considering that the weather shifts at Lake Tahoe often happen quickly. 

It’s also best to be prepared with a first aid kit to address minor cuts and scrapes when you’re out and about at Lake Tahoe. You can use our first aid checklist to restock your first aid kit content. 

Final Thoughts

Fifteen million people can’t be wrong! That’s the number of visitors that Lake Tahoe gets annually. While there are over 1500 tent and RV campsites around, Lake Tahoe camping grounds fill up fast during peak seasons. Decide what type of camping you want, reserve your spot early enough, and then come and enjoy the unreal scenery in Lake Tahoe.

Featured image by: CHR1.