Best Tent Camping near Carnelian Bay, CA

Recent Tent Reviews in Carnelian Bay

1122 Reviews of 78 Carnelian Bay Campgrounds

• 

  Lauren Hannah G.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 11, 2024

  Sugar Pine Point Campground

  Cute Campground near creek

  Loved the big beautiful trees. Enjoyed the creek behind. Lovely campground. Nice, clean facilities. Has bear lockers, pinicic tables and fire rings.

• 

  Tyler C.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 2, 2024

  Reno View Dispersed

  amazing view

  okay. let’s be real. the road is a beast. I would not drive it with any vehicle other than SUV/Truck. DO NOT bring up an RV/Trailer. you’ll regret it. we stayed and car camped. an awesome view of the lights of Reno. can be very windy but if you get between some of the trees it’s not to bad.

• M

  Matthew A.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 27, 2024

  Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

  Great 1 night stay

  Came on a Saturday around 4pm, there were 2 other campers other than me so it wasn’t busy at all. No service for at&t. Overall had a good stay here with my 2 dogs

• U

  UT801

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 17, 2024

  Campground by the Lake

  Great option if available for Lake Tahoe

  Camped here for what we thought would be a couple of nights for an event. However, event was canceled due to massive wild fire (air quality index was horrible, so stayed 1 night and left ASAP next morning). Campground is right on the main drag through town and just across the street and a short walk to the lake, although the lake does not permit dogs in this area. Nice walking/biking paths, but heavily commercial district means lots of traffic going by. Site (#E06) is huge with enough space for several RVs, but we parked sideways adjacent to the picnic table and had spot near to bathrooms/showers which are clean but a bit ragged around the edges. 

  Food aside: Dinner of Curly's pork with cheese and Hatch green chile tortillas. Good to come back here at some point when not high season and can stay more in camping zone, this is a pretty commercial district.

• P

  Paul K.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 16, 2024

  Tahoe Valley Campground

  A little pricey

  We were only after a night, so didn’t need much. Travelling this time of year when campgrounds are closed makes for desperate last minute decisions. BUT if you’re staying here, go across the road to Lake Tahoe Pizza Co. the best pizza!

• A

  Anthony F.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 14, 2024

  Hope Valley Dispersed

  Hope Valley dispersed

  Free camping

• 

  ron R.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 12, 2024

  BLM - Water Tank Road Dispersed

  Not easily accessible

  The two closest roads coming in from the West are blocked off and labeled no unauthorized vehicles. This is due to the construction of the new neighborhoods and they probably annexed the area. You could probably access it from the East but I have no idea how many miles it would be in from where you would come in.

• 

  ron R.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 12, 2024

  Peavine Road Dispersed Camping

  Complete trash dump

  It's sad where we have this public land to camp on and people just dump tons and tons of trash and abandoned cars and demolished cars on the property would not recommend going. There's some more BLM land about 15 to 20 minutes north on Red Rock road.

• 

  Shane T.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 11, 2024

  Fallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe

  Great spot!

  We stayed one night on our way through the area. Spot was nice level and clean. We loved the bike paths all though out the area. Rode In to south Tahoe and had a great experience.

• 

  Mason W.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 9, 2024

  Zephyr Cove Resort

  Simple, clean, but loud

  Very simple and clean park but it is right next to the highway with very limited amenities. Their “amenities” they list online are not accurate but again it’s nice and clean. Also make sure you have a secondary form of transportation since this place is secluded due to private neighborhoods so there is no access to town via bike or on foot.

• B

  Bradford H.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 3, 2024

  Loon Lake

  Old boat ramp, rock and uneven

  Nice peaceful spot. Few cars go by, but it’s tucked away enough.

• 

  Paxton B.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 30, 2024

  Merrill Valley Dispersed Camp

  The road is terrible

  Not really sure if we camped in the right spot. It isn’t great, but it got the job done to just crash for a night. Felt like we were in a construction zone

• 

  Raymond V.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 25, 2024

  Zephyr Cove Resort

  Tight spaces but close to lake

  Tight spaces but close to the lake if you want to enjoy the water and beach. Toilets and showers where filty but okay. Lots of chipmunks to enjoy..

• k

  kelly

  Scout

  

  Sep. 12, 2024

  Nevada Beach Campground and Day Use Pavilion

  Peaceful lake

  Large sites very peaceful. Most sites close to the lake. We visited the last week of August. Expect to see bears. Hosts were clear about the need to keep campsites clear of food. Since you could not dump dish water on ground because of the bears it was more effort to wash up after meals. It would be nice if there was a dish washing station . We have seen this at other campsites we have been to. The have AT&A cell service had good service

• M

  Marty P.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 12, 2024

  Logger Campground

  Beautiful campground with lake views.

  Love our stay at Logger Campground, very clean vault toilets, and facility. Most of the spots are very tight, narrow spaces. Make some when you book, you get the right size spot. Pay dump just offsite.

• K

  Kim G.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 11, 2024

  Carson RV Resort

  Worthy of the resort title!

  We normally prefer wilderness parks, and generally avoid RV parks. We’ve stayed in a few though and this one is by far the absolute nicest one we’ve ever stayed in!! It recently changed ownership and the new owners have invested in a first-class place! We had to find a last minute place on a Sunday due to the Davis Creek Regional park fire. We pulled in here and were helped by a wonderful young woman in the office. What I liked most about this place was that it is more spacious than typical RV parks. Also, more importantly, the bathrooms were amazing and deserving of the “resort” name. While there may have been a few rigs here longer term, their sites were neat and orderly. The location is by a highway (and behind Costco), but the noise wasn’t bad at all. The pool area is beautiful and includes outdoor grills and a gas fire pit. There is minimal shade as the trees are all new. The laundry rooms (2!) were lovely. We would stay here again in a heartbeat. Beautiful and well run facility. Does it compare to a state or National park, no. But for what it is it is outstanding!

• r

  rob D.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 10, 2024

  Boca Reservoir - Water Recreation

  Nice USFS campground

  All camp sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Please ensure fires are permitted before starting a fire. The campground was clean and quiet. Pit toilets were clean and well stocked. Please note that I was there during the week. I imagine that during summer weekends it can get quite noisy with boat and jet ski traffic being so close to Reno. I would definitely stay again.

• H

  Hope H.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 10, 2024

  Bear Valley Campground

  Remote Forest Camping

  FCFS OHV campground that can be approached from a couple of rough dirt roads,  high clearance helpful,  4wd not needed.   Not all sites are flat.  People from the area (i guess)  seemed to be "reserving"  sites with styrofoam coolers and water jugs...  they did not occupy their sites at night. I didn't use the vault toilet facility.  Took a hike.  Very pretty.  No OHV noise,  but a copter was circling the area in the middle of the night.

• K

  Kim G.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 8, 2024

  Davis Creek Regional Park

  It was on fire 9/7

  My 1-star review is only because, sadly, a fire started at this campground and was out of control by the time we arrived. It grew to 1,500 acres and destroyed 6 structures. I was really looking forward to staying at this park. Sadly, it has likely been destroyed.

• 

  Anna B.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 8, 2024

  Moon Rocks Camp

  Camping on Mars

  (September 28th, 2023) Got here after dark and found an empty clearing to park in for the night. The moon and the stars were so bright, it felt like we were on another planet. Got to explore the area in the morning, such a cool spot! Very quiet when we were there.

• T

  Taylor A.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 7, 2024

  Lodgepole Campground

  Perfectly Situated in the Sequoias

  I thought this campground was pretty decent for being NPS run and due to its large size. The campsite was close to other campers, but not right on top of them. The location is ideal. Bathrooms were the least favorite part, only one bathroom (with 4 stalls?) for one large loop of campsites. Check-in was a breeze. Nearby visitor center and camp store was convenient. There were hiking trails nearby. Be bear aware!

• O

  Onyx E.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 6, 2024

  Mormon Emigrant Trail Dispersed Pull Off

  Large dirt pull off

  Large pull off area I found and stayed at for 4 days with amazing views of the sunset and sunrise! I was there on weekdays so was pretty much alone the whole time but even if the main spot is occupied there’s a couple of dirt roads that lead to more areas to camp. A couple of level spots and lots of room to hike around. Completely free and peaceful but 0 amenities so come prepared. Currently there is an abandoned red semi truck cab so it’s easy to find not sure if that will ever be moved in the future though!

• S

  Shawn M.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 6, 2024

  Bowman Lake Dispersed

  Lake side Campsites

  If you are looking to be near the water and no service, this is perfect. The rough road in I believe must keep some folks out but the lake is amazing.

• O

  Onyx E.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 4, 2024

  Silver Fork Campground

  Peaceful getaway

  Beautiful river area, friendly people, hills to hike around! There’s a fire pit and bbq set up at each site and bathrooms and drinking water around the campgrounds. Seems like an amazing spot for a family camping trip! I believe it was $28 a night for a single spot or $14 with a discount. Cons for a nomad is there’s 0 service out there even hiking to the top of the mountain. It’s also about an hour of winding roads from the nearest town to get there. IMO not worth it when there’s plentyyyy of free camping pull offs you pass on the way there.

• 

  Stephen B.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 30, 2024

  Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

  Beautiful, popular, treacherous

  I’m motorcycle camping and the ground level was about half full, mostly RVs, so I attempted to head up Scott Lake Road.

  The dirt was manageable but there are sections of large rocks difficult to pass on two wheels. I crossed several but I dropped my bike before the second circle. Defeated and exhausted from a long day’s ride, I headed back down to set up my camp among the RV set.

  No shade to the lifestyle but this is an awfully long drive to watch TV at top volume.

• 

  Kirsten G.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 26, 2024

  Bordertown Casino RV Resort

  Easy stop on the way thru

  Easy stop going north - level site, free showers. Laundry was 4.00 for aload to wash/dry. Had a nice simple meal at casnio

• 

  Azizah T.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 26, 2024

  Ice House Campground

  Quiet campground with frequent bears

  I made reservations here a week prior to our trip because I was looking for a warmer place to camp. I previously had reservations at Pinecrest, but it was going to be in the 50s during the day and 30s at night. Which isn’t ideal since I have a 7 month old and a 3 year old. But it ended up getting pretty chilly here as well - high 50s, low 40s. I do not recommended campsite 3, where we camped. It is a double site and is spacious enough for two families. But the campground had 3 bears that were visiting every night. One huge black bear, and a mama black bear with her cub. It was disappointing to learn this by getting a visit by the black bear who comes down from behind our campsite (which is why I do not recommend campsite 3). Luckily, our kids were asleep when the black bear came around 9pm. The camp host never came by to check us in, even though we were right next to their site. They did not inform us of the three bears that would be coming by. Obviously we are in bear country, so precautions were taken. But it would have been nice to know, since we have little ones exploring the area behind us (where one of the bears was coming down). When my husband informed the camp host of the bear that came by she wasn’t surprised at all and said “oh there’s three that come every night. One big black bear who is about 4.5ft tall on all fours - he’s a big guy! And a mama bear with her cub.” This was very strange to me that she didn’t come by and tell us this, nor did she tell the other campers around us. We went and informed the two sites by us so that they were aware of this. Aside from that, the campground is beautiful. You can chop your own wood, since there was a couple of dead trees around. The walk to the reservoir is short and sweet. The water isn’t freezing either, our dog enjoyed her daily swim. I recommend this campground for its beauty but be prepared for a bear visit.