10 Best Lake Tahoe Campgrounds
Our list of 10 best Lake Tahoe campgrounds are found around the lake with one in Nevada and ten in California. With the exception of Fallen Leaf Lake and Camp Shelly, the other 8 campgrounds are within walking distance of the lake shore.
All of these campgrounds sell out quickly so get your reservations in early. Try our Campsite Assist tool if you don’t get a reservation. It will alert you when a cancelled campsite becomes available so you can try and reserve it.
1) Camp Richardson Resort (CA)
Camp Richardson Resort is located in South Lake Tahoe (next to Lake Tahoe) and has approximately 210 campsites located in three campgrounds. There is also a hotel and cabins available for overnight lodging. Reservations are recommended.
Badger’s Den campground has 84 campsites and is located closest to the lake. Campsites are tent-only and can accommodate either 2 tents/6 people, 4 tents/12 people or 3 tents/18 people. It also has drinking water, flush toilets and hot showers.
Eagles Nest campground has 30 campsites for tents only. It also has 6 group campsites (sites 85-90). Amenities include drinking water, flush toilets and hot showers.
The RV camp has approximately 96 campsites. Partial and full hookup campsites are available. Each site also has a table fire ring and grate. Some also a have bear-proof storage box. Sites 4 to 35 are very close to the main road and are on the small side.
2) DL Bliss State Park (CA)
DL Bliss State Park Campground is adjacent to one of the best beaches on Lake Tahoe and has 165 campsites. It is usually open mid-May to early September. Campground roads and campsites are on the small side (including the parking spurs). Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers (up to 15 feet) and RVs (up to 18 feet).
3) Emerald Bay State Park (CA)
Emerald Bay State Park (Eagle Point Campground) has 97 campsites and overlooks Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay.
With its rugged shoreline and blue-green water, Emerald Bay is one of the most photographed places in the world. Vikingsholm, a replica of a Scandinavian castle (800 A.D.), is part of the Park.
The campground is set up in two loops – Upper Eagle Point (campsites 1-33) and Lower Eagle Point (campsites 34-100). Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and smalls RVs (up to 18 feet), but 45 are tent-only and required a short hike from the parking area. Some of the tent only and standard campsites are designated as ‘premium’ generally because of views. Additional ‘boat-in’ campsites are also available on a first-come first-serve basis. Amenities include flush toilets, hot showers ($) and drinking water. There is no dump station or hookups at Eagle Point Campground. Firewood and ice are also available for sale at the campground.
4) Fallen Leaf Lake (CA)
Fallen Leaf Campground is nestled among towering native pine trees in a peaceful alpine canyon close to Fallen Leaf Lake. It has 206 campsites for tents, trailers and RVs. There are also 6 yurts that have electricity, a heater, lights and comfy mattresses. The yurt sites are 63, 104, 114, 191, 198 and 200.
The campground is approximately 1/2 mile from Fallen Leaf Lake and just a few miles from Lake Tahoe. There are no views of Fallen Leaf Lake or nearby Taylor Creek, but they are a short walk from the campground. Amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers ($), a parking area and picnic area. Firewood is available for sale at the campground.
5) Kapsian (CA)
Kaspian Campground has 9 single-family campsites (tent only) and is right across the road from Lake Tahoe. It can get a bit noisy (cars passing by), but the views of the lake are outstanding. You’re also just a few steps from the beach. Campers can parking one car in the parking lot and must walk to their site (75 – 150 feet). All gear must be packed in and out. Each site also has a table, food storage locker, fire ring and grate.
The campground is open mid-May to mid-October. Amenities include drinking water and flush toilets.
6) Meeks Bay (CA)
Meeks Bay is uniquely situated between the two California State Parks of Sugar Point Park and D.L. Bliss State Park on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. There is also easy access into Desolation Wilderness for excellent hiking.
The campground has 40 campsites and is just a few hundred feet from the shores of Lake Tahoe. It’s generally open from mid-May to mid-October. Campsites sites, roads and parking spurs are pave and mostly flat. The campsites also have good shade from the Ponderosa pines that tower above. Some of the sites also have views of the lake.
Amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, showers a picnic area, marina and bike rentals. Firewood is also available for sale from the camp host. There are no hookups here.
7) Nevada Beach (NV)
Nevada Beach Campground has some prime real estate next to a beautiful mile-long beach. The campground is generally open mid-May to mid-October and has 54 campsites with some among the trees and others with views of the lake.
Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, and a picnic area with 25 picnic sites. You can also rent paddle boards and grab some food at the concession stand.
8) Sugar Pine Point State Park (CA)
Sugar Pine Point State Park Campground (also known as Ed Z’berg or General Creek) has 175 campsites located in a Ponderosa pine forest and about 1/2 mile to Lake Tahoe. The Park has one of the best natural areas on Lake Tahoe with almost 2 miles of lake frontage.
All campsites are available from about mid-May to mid-September, but there are also 24 sites open year-round for snow camping. There are no hookups available. Amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, showers, an RV dump station, campground host, campfire center, picnic area and firewood (for sale).
9) Tahoe SRA (CA)
Tahoe SRA Campground is a nice little campground located 1/4 mile from Tahoe City on Highway 28. The campground has 28 campsites and each also has a paved parking pad, table, fire ring/grill, and food storage container. Campsites can accommodate tents and small trailers/RVs.
The campground is right on the highway (a bit louder for sites 1-6 and 20-27), but it is also right on the bike/walking path and a stone’s throw from the lake and downtown Tahoe City. Tahoe SRA Campground has drinking water, flush toilets and showers. There are no hook-ups or dump stations.
10) William Kent (CA)
William Kent Campground has 81 single-family campsites and is located on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, just a few miles south of Tahoe City. Most sites are rather small, not very level, and are best for tent camping. A few are trailer/RV friendly (sites 72-79). Campsites 2, 10 and 80 are Yurt sites. FYI – there are also many private homes and cabins surrounding the campground.
Campground amenities include potable water and flush toilets A day use area is also just across the street and includes a beach and lake access activities. Each campsite also has a paved parking spur, table, food locker, fire ring and grate.
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These are some great options for camping in Lake Tahoe!