The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Carnelian Bay. Carnelian Bay is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Carnelian Bay camping trip.
$22 - $44 / night
"The campground is in a beautiful setting, easy to get to, and right off the Highway."
"Nice campsite located right on Highway 89, 1 mile from Truckee and a short drive to Tahoe City. Right on the Truckee River and has 68 family sites and 7 walk in sites."
$35 / night
"Two of them have quick walking access to the lake. One is situated between. Most campsites are large."
"Nice state park right next to the Donner Memorial Site and Donner Lake. We were in site 133 which was not the easiest site to get in with a trailer."
$42 - $118 / night
"The sites were large considering the prime Tahoe location - we had plenty of space for our 9x8ft tent. "
"Conveniently located within walking distance of a lot of different places. Beautiful campground. Only enough parking for one car per a spot. Decent bathrooms."
"Close to Truckee, a very nice looking rv park, plenty of nice size spots surrounded by trees. Quiet and well maintained.
This is the one to stay at when visiting Tahoe-Donner."
"Nice place to hub for Donner Lake or one of the other lakes in the close proximity."
$35 - $475 / night
"This campground is on the West side in California about halfway up Lake Tahoe. You take a very winding and narrow two-lane road."
"I had the opportunity to stay in this campground when it was nearly empty."
$15 - $30 / night
"Nice campground situated close to the shores of Washoe Lake. Great amenities; picnic tables, fire pits and shade structures at many of the campsites."
"We stayed here for just under 2 weeks around Thanksgiving. Very beautiful area with hiking near the lake and mountains. The horses nearby were nice. Right between Reno and Carson City."
$30 / night
"Easy access right off the freeway but tucked into trees so you don't hear any road noise. Nice hiking trails, clean restrooms and very nice staff. Well maintained!"
"This is relaxing and very quiet area but next to the hwy. Nosie at night. Ranger is very cool. But nice spot"
$35 - $165 / night
"Lake tahoe is one of the most beautiful place in California. There are plenty of state parks and campsites around the lake, but D.L. Bliss is one of my favorite."
"We got a site right along the lake (stairs to the beach were just adjacent to our site) and there were only 2 other people in the entire campground."
$55 - $57 / night
"Just a small walk away from Lake Tahoe shore. Big beautiful trees cover the entire campground. A couple bathrooms that surprisingly do not smell bad and have a running faucet."
"The beach is about a 5 minute walk from any spot. Only complaints are the beach is not dog friendly so if you have your dog you can’t go onto the beach but, you can drive close to a dog beach."
$59 - $94 / night
"We've always like zephyr cove as it's a bit away from the south shore hectic crowds. Zephyr cove rv park has a ton of rvs, but rent camping as well."
"Short walk across the highway to the beach, which is nice, but couldn’t get over proximity to other campers. We enjoyed our night but likely won’t visit again."
TravelerI stopped by here to check out the campground and found it to be very nice quiet and clean. There is a nice river running along the side with a waterfall and a few nice deep swimming holes. I got the only FCFS site and it was nice.
TravelerThis campground is a hidden gem—just 10 minutes from Truckee and about 20 minutes to Tahoe. We stayed in site #6, which was a first-come, first-served spot. According to the camp host, weekdays are usually easy to snag a site, but you’ll definitely want a reservation if you're planning to stay Friday through Sunday. Most sites offer beautiful views of the lake, and many are on level ground, making setup easy. One tip: avoid site #8 unless you're in a pinch—it’s surrounded by other sites (island spot) and doesn’t offer much privacy, but it would work for a quick overnight stay. The campground feels spacious, peaceful, and scenic. Just keep in mind there are no showers or running water, so come prepared for dry camping. That wasn’t an issue for us since our camper is set up for boondocking. All in all, an awesome spot—we’ll definitely be back!
Scoutlaundry room, showers, bathroom, pool were all very clean! The staff was super helpful, friendly, and available whenever we needed them. Would stay here again!
TravelerIt is a great site just near the road. We arrived on Monday afternoon and there were lots of places. There were other people but everyone has enough space. There’s a pit restroom which seems comparatively new. We didn’t get bugs problems. We car camped.
GuideRoad is rough, especially after first mile to interpretive site. Looks like a few spots there you could camp. The last mile gets rougher. Was fine in my 2wd van but have high clearance and was dry. Might be worse if muddy or low clearance vehicle. Also, coordinates lead to historic sheep camp site. Can probably camp next to it but better spots just beyond though road gets even rougher.
GuideAwesome spots to camp, it’s just insanely close to the 20 so you’ll hear non-stop traffic.
ScoutI enjoyed this spot though beware, you can get stuck in the sand. Many spots may be difficult to maneuver with a larger rig. I did get stuck and luckily someone left a car mat in the sand that they used to get out. It did get windy at the night I was there but calmed down by 10PM. My only annoyance was the poopy smell coming off the water. Not great, but lovely view.
GuidePaid $68 for a tent site with no hookups. Showers take quarters too. Price is a bit steep IMO but the site was nice, a quick walk to the lake to cool off.
ScoutPerfect place for spacious campsites, lake views and stunning sunsets. Camp Host was so helpful and hospitable.
Camping near Carnelian Bay, California, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.
Camping near Carnelian Bay, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, with plenty of options for families and RVers alike. Just remember to plan ahead and stay safe!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Carnelian Bay, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Carnelian Bay, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 360 campgrounds and RV parks near Carnelian Bay, CA and 35 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Carnelian Bay, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Carnelian Bay, CA is Granite Flat with a 3.5-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Carnelian Bay, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 35 free dispersed camping spots near Carnelian Bay, CA.
What parks are near Carnelian Bay, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Carnelian Bay, CA that allow camping, notably Martis Creek Lake and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
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