Big Reservoir Campground — Tahoe National Forest

The people who work here are the rudest and trashiest people I’ve even had the unfortunate experience to deal with. Instead of treating customers like guests with courtesy they treat them like criminals with rudeness and annoyance. They get paid to run this place FOR the guests not in spite of them. They act like it’s their personal property and you are lucky to be there and pay them. They yell at you for anything they don’t want you to do even if it’s completely benign or not against the rules. Most unwelcoming place I’ve ever been to. We left early rather than be berated by these mouth breathers.

So I found this camp on The Dyrt, and was confused by the rating disparity. I went to the camp & discovered that there are two (2) separate camps. Big Reservoir & Morning Star Lake (I think) There are 5-6 typical USFS spots BEFORE the gate & many, many more camps beyond. I went to the office, found the rude lady, who wanted $50 to camp. I asked about the spots outside of her ‘property’, she claimed they were reserved. I asked about the USFS kiosk, she had no clue. Bottom line, the whole thing felt shady.
I came home & did research. God the reviews for Morning Star are HORRIBLE!!

This is a beautiful spot. Unfortunately it's a Forest Service location that's run by a private concessionaire who runs it like a prison. They staff literally yelled at my family. They have a lot of rules, which is fine, but when someone breaks a minor rule, for example talking quietly after 10 PM, the staff should come by and politely ask them to please keep it quiet. To come up and yell at guests is never acceptable. The staff has been there too long and are on a power trip.

We loved it. Hardest place to book a spot... trying to get someone to answer the phone was the hardest thing ever... great place...quiet secluded...5 mins drive you have the dirt bike trails.. would go again