13 Amazing Campgrounds for Lake Tahoe Camping in 2024 [Free + Paid]  

PLANNING A LAKE TAHOE CAMPING ADVENTURE?

You’re in the right place! We’ve spent months traveling in California and love to camp during our trips. During our last visit to Lake Tahoe, we camped here for about a week and had a great time spending time outdoors and enjoying all of the fun things to do in Lake Tahoe.

There are many great places for camping in Tahoe. Many of the best campgrounds are very economical, but planning ahead is key! Make sure you make your Lake Tahoe camping reservations early because the campgrounds will fill up fast.

It does not matter if you are tent camping at Lake Tahoe or RV camping. You will find a great Lake Tahoe campground. 

If you’re going to be renting an RV for your trip to Lake Tahoe, we highly recommend renting an RV through Outdoorsy. They offer a wide variety of RV rentals in the area and have fantastic customer service.

>>Click Here to Look for RV Rentals on Outdoorsy!<<

South Lake Tahoe Camping 

1. Emerald Bay State Park

• Shore: South
• Address: Emerald Bay State Park, California 96150
• Amenities: showers, fire rings, picnic tables, bear containers, restrooms, water
• Pet-Friendly: Yes, with restrictions

Emerald Bay State Park has three camping options inside the park, making it a great place to go camping in Northern California. The three options are Lower Eagle Point campground, Upper Eagle Point, and a Boat-In Camp Area. Each area has slightly different accommodations, but not all of them have hookups.

The boat-in area can only be accessed by boat and has mooring buoys you can hook your boat to. All of the campgrounds are close together, and they fill up fast. You can book six months in advance. People highly rate these campgrounds and the Emerald Bay, so if possible, booking six months in advance is the best way to get a campsite.

Both Eagle Point Campgrounds can only facilitate small recreational vehicles or tents. The largest trailer allowed is 18 feet long, so if you have a bigger camper, this will not be the area to camp. The boat-in area only allows for tents.

While staying in these campgrounds, make sure you keep food and coolers in the provided bear-proof containers. Keeping your cooler in your car is not sufficient, and you can be fined if you do not keep your food stored properly.

The campgrounds are not a great spot for dogs. You can technically have a dog, but they cannot go anywhere within the park except for your immediate campsite making this location not overly dog-friendly. 

There are wood-burning fire pits provided here, so make sure you bring your fire starter with you so you can enjoy some yummy camping desserts around the fire.

2. Mount Rose 

• Shore: North
• Address: Mt. Rose Hwy, State Route 431, Reno, NV 89511.
• Amenities: Picnic tables, campfire rings, grills, bear-proof food lockers, restrooms, and drinking water
• Pet-Friendly: Yes

Mount Rose is a great campground with many fun opportunities for recreation nearby. There are not a lot of North Lake Tahoe camping options, but Mount Rose is one of the best. It is 15 minutes from Lake Tahoe, and because of its proximity to the Mount Rose Ski Resort, you get lots of outdoor hiking and bike paths.

They offer site options for single, double, and triple-family sites. The campground is always very clean and has great hosts. People also really like the spacing between each campsite. You have enough space to spread out and not feel that everyone is on top of each other. This makes for a great environment to grill up some delicious food and relax in your camping chairs.

They have sites that fit campers that are up to 55 feet long, but they do not have a lot of sites that fit that size. The campground needs to be reserved at Recreation.gov, and you need to make reservations early because they fill up fast. You can reserve your site six months in advance, and it is recommended to reserve a site as close to the six months as possible.

The campground is typically open from the beginning of June until the beginning of September, but the immediate openings are for FCFS, and then later in June, you can reserve a site. These dates can vary depending on weather conditions each year. 

Those who are not able to book six months in advance should check out the Dyrt Pro and take advantage of our 30-day free trial, where you can set up Dyrt Alerts. This will alert you to any cancelations or campsites that become available so you can quickly get them booked.  

The Dyrt Pro has amazing resources that really simplify trip planning:

• Take advantage of PRO Membership discounts to save up to 40% on campground costs
• Plan camping road trips with the Trip Planner
• Find free dispersed camping locations
• Use The Dyrt app anywhere with offline access

We have arranged with The Dyrt to give the CS Ginger viewers a FREE-30 Day Trial using the code “csginger.” Normally the trial is 7 days!

3. Tahoe State Recreation Area

• Shore: West
• Address: Highway 28, Tahoe State Park, N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145
• Amenities: Hot Showers, flush toilets, food storage containers, picnic tables, close to the lake
• Pet-Friendly: Yes

The Tahoe State Recreation Area is a nice campground that is right on Lake Tahoe. They are more dog friendly as they do have some areas on the lake where you can take your dog. You can take your dog to the “Gatekeepers,” which is the outlet for the Truckee River. There is an area on the Lake Tahoe shoreline where you can take your dog.

This park does not offer any hookups or a dump station, so you will need to be self-contained. Having a good RV battery and a portable waste tank can help make your stay a little more comfortable.

The campground does not offer much for large campers or motorhomes, as the biggest camper that it can fit is 21 feet long.

The campground opens in the middle of June, which is typical for the area, but some will open sooner. This is a great option that is highly rated by many, with a 4.6-star rating. One thing to remember is that the showers are coin-operated, and the park is on the smaller side.

4. Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

• Shore: West
• Address: General Creek Campground, 7360 CA-89, Tahoma, CA 96142
• Amenities: water, restrooms, picnic tables
• Pet-Friendly: Yes

Sugar Pine State Park Campground is another great state park that we like to camp at. We like this campground because it can fit larger campers or motorhomes. Sites here have the ability to hold campers up to 32 feet long.

The park is dog friendly, but for the most part, dogs need to be kept on the paved and developed parts of the park. You cannot take your dog on the beach or dirt trails. You can take dogs on the General Creek Fire Road in the summer, which is close to the campground.

A popular activity that is close to this campground is the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion. The mansion is beautiful, and it has some fun history about the area. The house is now a museum, and we thought it was a great place to visit and play in the lake. The park has almost 2 miles of lake frontage in it. 

5. Nevada Beach Campground 

• Shore: South
• Amenities: tables, fire rings, grills, water, restrooms
• Pet-Friendly: Yes, with restrictions

The Nevada Beach Campground is close to the popular Zephyr Beach in Nevada. The campground is on the southeastern part of Lake Tahoe, just a few minutes from the California border and Sand Harbor.

The campground generally is open from May 12th to October 14th but does not accept reservations until June 22nd. This means from May to June campsites are on a first-served basis.

The campground offers a nice group picnic area that can fit around 150 people. This is a favorite campground for many. We love that you still can get cell service in this campground and that the camp hosts are always great.

The campground is well kept and is a great campground on the south end of Lake Tahoe. The campground has a few sites that can fit larger rigs. They have only one site that can fit up to 60 feet and one that can fit a 40-foot RV. The other sites are for smaller vehicles. 

6. Zephyr Cove RV Park & Campground

• Shore: East 
• Amenities: full hookups, water, showers, restrooms, picnic tables
• Pet-Friendly: Yes

The Zephyr Cove RV Park & Campground has lots of great amenities and is a great place to camp. They have multiple sites that can fit RVs that are 50 feet long. The park is dog friendly, but you cannot take dogs to the beach.

For those looking to camp but do not want the hassle of taking the camper or do not have a camper, this campground offers lodges and airstreams for rent. The lodges are pet friendly, but the airstreams are not.

Zephyr Cove Campground also offers dining, cruises, wedding facilities, bike rentals, and tours, including snowmobile tours in the winter months. There is a ton of fun things to do at the campground and in the area, but if you are looking for a cheaper campground, this is not your spot.

If you do not want to spend as much per night, you need to get a spot at the state or federal campgrounds in the area. Another Zephyr Cove option that is nearby is the Zephyr Cove Resort. 

7. Valley Campground

• Shore: South
• Address: 1175 Melba Dr, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
• Amenities: Full hookups, pool, park, water, Thousand Trails Campground, volleyball, basketball, general store, laundry, WIFI
• Pet-Friendly: Yes

Tahoe Valley Campground is a great private Lake Tahoe RV resort that we have enjoyed and think has some nice benefits to staying here. It is a little bit easier to find a spot here because of the campground’s larger size. Also, sites here cost a little bit more than the state and federal campgrounds in the area, but it is worth the extra cost.

The campground comes with some nice amenities like a pool and a fun playground. The nice paved roads make for great bike riding and getting around the campground. It fits larger rigs, and they have full hook-up options. Many of the government-run campgrounds do not have these amenities.

This is a great spot for a longer stay or a short stay, but if you are looking to camp on the cheap, this is not your campground. This is where we stayed during our last camping trip to Lake Tahoe, and we really enjoyed having the pool to swim in after a day of hiking and adventuring.

There are no fire rings at this campground, but you can bring a propane fire pit.

8. Meeks Bay

• Shore: West
• Amenities: picnic tables, fire pits, grills, restroom facilities, storage locker
• Pet-Friendly: yes

The great thing about Meeks Bay Campground is that it is between two very popular state parks giving you easy access to multiple parks and activities. The max length at Meeks Bay is 35 feet.

The campground offers tent sites and RV sites, and they do not offer any hookups. All of the sites are single-family sites, so if you are going with a group, make sure you try and get spots that are close to each other.

This is a good spot to paddleboard and play on the lake. A few things to keep in mind are that some of the campsites are closer to the road than others so if you are close to the road you may have a little road noise.

We always check out the campground maps to see if we can find a spot that looks good on the map. However, if you are looking for a spot during the busy time of year, make sure you book your site six months in advance so you can get a good spot. Most of the campgrounds around the lake fill up fast, especially the state parks. 

The campground is open from the middle of May until the Middle of October, which is longer than many of the other state parks. There are no reservations in May, but the park functions on a FCFS basis until around June 25th. If you like the area but don’t want to camp every time, you can check out Meeks Bay Resort. 

9. William Kent Campground 

• Shore: West
• Address: 1995 West Lake BLDV Tahoe City, CA 96145
• Amenities: picnic tables, campfire rings, grills, restrooms, storage locker, yurts
• Pet-Friendly: Yes

William Kent Campground is a great campground that is a large campground. It is great if you are looking for a campground that offers more space than many of the others.

There are 80 sites, and many of the sites are secluded. This campground also offers yurt camping in Lake Tahoe if you want to rent a yurt. Each yurt can fit 5 or 6 people.

The campground is near a residential area and a large road, so if you are close to the front of the campground, there is a good chance that you will hear some road noise. There are a ton of sites that will fit 40 feet long recreational vehicles. If you have a larger camper and you are wanting an economical and highly-rated campground, this is going to be one of the easiest places to find a campsite because of the many options that fit larger RVs.

The campground is close to Lake Tahoe Park, so you have fairly easy access to the lake and lake activities. There are also nice places to play outdoor games. This campground is only 2 miles from Tahoe City. 

Free Camping at Lake Tahoe 

10. Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It is called Horseshoe Bend because the dispersed and free camping is along the Horseshoe Bend road. This area is a reasonable place that can fit RVs and camp trailers. It is close to Hwy 395. 

You will need to be self-contained here, including your electrical needs. Solar panels and a good battery for boondocking will make it so much easier to maintain your battery levels so you have the power that you need.

11. Luther Pass

Luther Pass has designated boondocking sites and is on the S Upper Truckee Rd. You can find it by searching Luther Campground, which is just off Luther Pass Rd. 

12. Scotts Lake

You will find free camping around Scotts Lake, but for the most part, you must have high clearance and four-wheel drive to access it. This is not a location you want to boondock if you are towing a larger trailer. 

You may also bring some leveling blocks and wheel chocks to help level your RV because some of the spots are not the most level.

13. Hope Valley 

This is one of the better places for dispersed camping near Lake Tahoe. It is only 30 minutes from South Lake Tahoe, which has lots of fun things to do and great restaurants. You can fit larger RVs here. The downside is it is close to Hwy 88, also known as Carson Pass Highway.

To get to Hope Valley dispersed camping, you will travel south 1.5 miles from Pickets Junction. Pickets Junction is where Hwy 88 and Hwy 89 cross. The road is not marked, but it is paved and then turns unpaved.

You will see dispersed camping sites soon after the road becomes dirt and you cross a cattle guard. If you have questions, you can always call the Carson Ranger District at (775) 882-2766.

Lake Tahoe Camping Cabins 

There are camping cabins for rent all around Lake Tahoe. Many have lake views or are right on the Lake. Check out some of the great options below if you are looking to stay at a cabin close to Lake Tahoe. 

The best place to find cabins to rent in Lake Tahoe is VRBO. You can find a variety of different size cabins within a variety of different price points and budgets.

▶ Browse VRBO Cabin Rentals in Lake Tahoe

Best Time for Lake Tahoe Camping 

The best time for camping at Lake Tahoe is during the summer months, starting around May and ending in September or October. If you camp in May, September, or October, it will be a little colder, but you will find that there are fewer people around. You may want to consider bringing an electric heater.

Many of the campgrounds do not accept reservations until the middle of June, but they are open on a first-come, first-served basis from May until the middle of June. 

FAQ: Lake Tahoe Camping 

Is Lake Tahoe Good for Camping? 

Lake Tahoe is a great place for camping if you like camping at state and federal campgrounds. There are many government-run campgrounds around the lake. This is great because they are much cheaper than private campgrounds, and the majority of them are in really good locations close to Lake Tahoe.

The one downside is that most of them in the area do not offer hookups, and they can be a little more difficult to book because they are usually in high demand. 

How Much Does it Cost to Camp at Lake Tahoe? 

If you are camping at a private campground and you are in a camper, you should expect to pay around $100 per night for a campground. If you are staying at a state or federal campground, you can expect to pay around 30 to 45 dollars a night. 

Can you Camp Anywhere in Lake Tahoe? 

No, you cannot camp anywhere in Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe does not have many free camping areas very close, but they do have multiple established campgrounds in the area. 

Can You Camp at Lake Tahoe for Free? 

You won’t find any free campsites at Lake Tahoe where you can camp for free. If you don’t mind driving a little bit, then you can find some free campsites.

Some of the free camping close to the area are around Hope Valley and south of Gardnerville along HWY 395. 

Conclusion: Lake Tahoe Camping 

Lake Tahoe RV camping is one of our favorite things to do. The area is so nice. Don’t worry too much if you are camping in South Lake Tahoe or North Lake Tahoe. You will have a great experience at either end of the lake.

When camping, make sure you store your food properly, including your cooler. There are black bears, and they do frequent the area. Put your food in the provided food storage locker, and remember to enjoy the beautiful turquoise waters Lake Tahoe offers.