South Lake Tahoe Camping
At South Lake Tahoe campers can choose from a great mixture of state parks, National Forest campgrounds, municipal campgrounds, and private campgrounds.
Sugar Pine Point, Emerald Bay, and D. L. Bliss state parks are situated right on the lake and close to many attractions. Both offer reservations, which at Lake Tahoe is the smartest way to plan your camping trip.
Several National Forest campgrounds are found along the lake and at nearby Fallen Leaf Lake. Others are along the Truckee River a short distance north of Lake Tahoe.
Beaches and Picnic Sites
A string of more than a dozen public beaches and picnic sites ring South Lake Tahoe, starting from Bliss State Park and carrying around to Nevada's Zephyr Cove. Most charge an admission fee.
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Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
Location: West shore of Lake Tahoe, 17 miles north of South Lake Tahoe
Campground Facilities: WiFi, Nature Center, Gift Shop, Flush Toilets, Piped Water, Showers, 123 Family Campsites
Campsite Amenities: Bear Boxes, Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Online Reservations at ReserveCalifornia:
Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park Campground Reservations
Fees: Drive-in Sites $35 per night, Group Site $165
Nearby Attractions: Hellman-Ehrman Mansion available for tours and special events, Dolder Nature Trail, Sugar Pine Point Day Use Area
D. L. Bliss State Park
Location: West shore of Lake Tahoe, 4 miles north of Emerald Bay
Campground Facilities: Flush Toilets, Piped Water, Showers, 268 Family Campsites, Trailers to 15', RVs to 18'
Group Campsite: Accommodates 50 People and 10 Vehicles
Campsite Amenities: Bear Boxes, Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Online Reservations at ReserveCalifornia:
D. L. Bliss State Park Campground Reservations
Fees: Drive-in Sites $35 per night, Group Site $165, Hike and Bike $7, Lakefront Sites $45
Nearby Attractions: Balancing Rock Nature Trail, Emerald Bay, Swimming Beach
Emerald Bay State Park
Location: West shore of Lake Tahoe at Eagle Point, Emerald Bay
Campground Facilities: Flush Toilets, Piped Water, Showers, 100 Family Campsites, Trailers to 18', RVs to 21'
Boat-In Campsites: 20 Primitive Sites
Campsite Amenities: Bear Box, Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Online Reservations at ReserveCalifornia:
Emerald Bay State Park Campground Reservations
Fees: Drive-in and Boat-In Sites $35 per night
Nearby Attractions: Emerald Bay, Vikingsholm, Underwater Park
Meeks Bay Campground
Notice: "Meeks Bay Campground is now a part of the Meeks Bay Resort. Please use the Meeks Bay Resort page to view sites and make reservations. In order to provide for a more rustic family experience, RVs and pets are not permitted."
Location: West shore of Lake Tahoe, 8 miles north of Emerald Bay, between Sugar Pine Point and D. L. Bliss State Parks.
Campground Facilities: Flush Toilets, Piped Water, Close to Beach, RVs to 20', 40 Sites
Campsite Amenities: Bear Boxes, Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Meeks Bay Campground
Fees: $33 per night ($2 more over holidays)
Nearby Attractions: Meeks Bay Day Use Area, Beach on Lake Tahoe
Bayview Campground
Forest Service Notice: "The Bayview Campground at Emerald Bay is temporarily closed for conversion to a day-use area, and parking in other nearby lots is in high demand. The trailhead remains open." (3/2024)
Location: West shore of Lake Tahoe, 8 miles north of South Lake Tahoe.
Campground Facilities: Vault Toilets, No Water, RVs to 20', 13 Sites
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Reservations: No Reservations
Fees: $17 per night
Nearby Attractions: Inspiration Point, Emerald Bay
Campground by the Lake
Operated by the City of South Lake Tahoe Parks & Recreation
Location: 1159 Rufus Ave., South Lake Tahoe, CA
Campground by the Lake
Open: April - October
Campground Facilities: WiFi, Tent Cabins available, Dump Station
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Table, BBQ, Fire Ring
Reservations: (530) 542-6096
Summer Fees: (6 people, 1 vehicle) $45 per night
Nearby Attractions: El Dorado Beach
Nearby Campgrounds
Fallen Leaf Campground
Location: SW shore of Lake Tahoe, at the north end of Fallen Leaf Lake
Campground Facilities: Piped Water, Flush Toilets, Showers, 188 Sites, RVs to 40'; 6 Yurts which Sleep 5-6 People
Campsite Amenities: Bear Boxes, Picnic Tables, Fire Rings, BBQs; Yurts have electricity and space heater
Reservations: Recreation.gov - Fallen Leaf Campground
Fees: Campsites $38 per night; Yurts $100 per night
Nearby Attractions: Taylor Creek Visitor Center, Rainbow trail to Stream Profile Chamber
Granite Flat Campground
Location: Highway 89 near Truckee, along the Little Truckee River
Campground Facilities: Vault Toilets, Piped Water, 74 Sites
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Granite Flat Campground
Fees: $22 per night for single sites
Nearby Attractions: Truckee, Donner Lake
Silver Creek Campground
Location: Highway 89 near Truckee, along the Truckee River
Campground Facilities: Flush and Vault Toilets, Piped Water, 19 Sites
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Silver Creek Campground
Fees: $20 per night for single sites
Nearby Attractions: Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe
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