Best Tent Camping near Carnelian Bay, CA
Searching for a tent campsite near Carnelian Bay? Find the best tent camping sites near Carnelian Bay. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Carnelian Bay, California (80)
1. Donner Memorial State Park Campground
18 Reviews•47 Photos•236 SavesTruckee, CaliforniaDonner Memorial State Park offers the summer vacationer opportunities for Donner Lake camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, water-skiing, and hiking. In winter, visitors can cross-country ski and snowshoe on trails and enjoy the season's beauty. Visitors are welcome year-round at the Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center and at the Pioneer Monument, built to commemorate those who emigrated to California from the east in the mid-1800's. The Visitor Center features compelling new exhibits that tell the stories of the Emigrant Experience, the Donner Party, the Land of the Washoe, Chinese construction of the railroad, and early motoring adventures over Donner Pass.
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
$35 / night
2. Olde LYFE Alpacas on Davis Ranch
4 Reviews•37 Photos•23 SavesWashoe Valley, NevadaImagine waking up and having an alpaca right outside your door!! That's what you might have on this 130 Acre ranch on the Eastern Slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range. At this serene ranch you will find alpacas, llamas, the mini-pot-bellied pig and our old sweet donkey wandering in the grassy fields were you will park, as well as the 30 acre pasture next to it. Visit with the Angora goats, Wensleydale sheep and a random assortment of other livestock in the various paddocks. If a longer walk is what you're looking for, head out into our 90 acre pasture where you might run into the male alpacas sipping from the year-long creek. You can find your complimentary bucket of pellet treats under the porch near the ranch store to hand feed the animals. WARNING!!! You will be swamped with the eager alpacas looking for a treat! Our ranch store is small but stocked with local jellies, honey, farm fresh eggs from our hens and a wide assortment of beautiful alpaca fiber products. We offer walking tours with an alpaca, educational sessions with the alpacas and goats, and custom beanies, scarves, and headbands. Visit our website to pre-order or book an experience. We are excited to share this wonderful ranch and animals with you.
NOTE:: PLEASE refer to your messages as I send details on how to arrive, where to park, the store etc..........There are also signs posted around the ranch.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
$25 - $50 / night
3. Kaspian Campground
3 Reviews•11 Photos•178 SavesTahoma, CaliforniaOverview
Kaspian Campground is located in a mature forest of pine trees overlooking the beautiful Lake Tahoe. Campers will be nestled in a sparse forest of pine trees and evergreen shrubs, just minutes from the bright blue water of Tahoe. The lake and its sandy beaches provides ample recreation opportunities.
Recreation
Kaspian Campground is ideal for visitors planning a full day of biking around Lake Tahoe. Bike trails that traverse the western shores of the lake begin near the campground. Visitors enjoy water sports on the lake and relaxing on its sandy beaches.
Natural Features
The campground is situated in a former picnic area, across the street from the lake. Campsites are spaced for privacy and surrounded by tall ponderosa pine and white fir trees. Some sites offer spectacular views of Lake Tahoe through the trees.
Nearby Attractions
Kaspian Campground is less than 10 miles from the popular Meeks Bay.
Contact Info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (530) 541-1537 for general information.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
$30 - $32 / night
4. Desolation Wilderness - Aloha Zone
5 Reviews•13 Photos•258 SavesTwin Bridges, California- Pets
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
$5 / night
5. Lovers Leap Campground
6 Reviews•4 Photos•102 SavesTwin Bridges, CaliforniaRecreation Opportunity Guides (ROG) - These guides contains information, maps, and directions to assist you in enjoying your trip to the Eldorado National Forest.Lovers Leap__CampgroundFees
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
- Glamping
- Trash
- Alcohol
6. Lake of the Woods
4 Reviews•7 Photos•62 SavesSierraville, CaliforniaLake of the Woods is a nice small lake. It can be quite popular especially on weekends. There are approximately 15 camping spots with fire pits and picnic tables situated along the shoreline. There is no piped water available. This lake generally opens later in the spring as it sits at a high elevation and takes longer for winter snows to melt to gain access. Camping is free and on a first come - first served basis. The lake has both public and private property. Fire restrictions may be different depending on where you locate your camp.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Tent Cabin
- Glamping
7. Bowman Campground
7 Reviews•19 Photos•176 SavesSierra City, CaliforniaBowman Lake Campground is a very remote campground with limited services. There are 7 campsites with tables, fire rings and bear proof food lockers. There is no trash service. Bowman Lake is a large lake surrounded by rocky cliffs and scattered pines that are great for fishing and swimming. A few islands are found within the lake. Car top boat launch only. The road to access the campground is very rough, rocky, and narrow. A high clearance vehicle is needed, and towing boats or trailers is very difficult and dangerous. There are several stretches of the road where it is impossible for two vehicles to pass around each other and so if traffic is coming from both directions, someone will need to back up. Despite the difficult access, Bowman Lake is a popular, heavily used area.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
8. Luther Pass
6 Reviews•2 Photos•437 SavesEcho Lake, California- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
9. Lake Forest Campground
1 Review•38 SavesTahoe City, California- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
10. Lake Spaulding Campground
4 Reviews•5 Photos•242 SavesEmigrant Gap, California- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Recent Tent Reviews near Carnelian Bay, California
1130 Reviews of 80 Carnelian Bay Campgrounds
- JJayson L.
Scout
Meeks Bay Resort & Marina
Great Place to Stay
Clean and best play to stay with beach access, cabins, tents sites and rv sites. Tent site can fit 2 or more tents with fire pit and picnic table. Restroom with shower and warm water.
- D
Daniel D.
Guide
Silver Lake East- Eldorado
Great Lake access
I’ve camped here 4 times- 2 times tent camping and 2 times trailer camping. The lake has a beautiful, and easy to walk to from the campground, especially from the sites in the 40s and 50s. The vault toilets can be a bummer if you are tent camping, and there are no hookups for rvs. But the campground has beautiful trees, and there is a restaurant and camp store for your convenience. Also, across the highway at the Silver Lake East campground is an awesome hidden secret called “Potholes.” Shhhhh!
- Joe B.
Traveler
Fallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe
Cozy
Nice bear boxes and bathrooms. Tent sites were big
- Steven S.Scout
Sparks Marina RV Park
False Advertising
They advertise as having sites for tent camping as well as dispersed camping. This is inaccurate and should be changed.
- KK. O.Scout
Ruck-A-Chucky Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area
Very Peaceful
Went here a few years ago. Perfect for tent camping. Right along the river. Very quiet and gorgeous. Good spot for families.
Dominic J.Guide
General Creek Campground — Sugar Pine Point State Park
Best price
Only $35 dollars, which is the cheapest you'll find north of South Lake Tahoe. Perfect for tent camping. Not busy at all during the non reserve season. Would go again for sure.
- Alisen O.Traveler
Grasshopper Flat
Almost perfect
Absolutely delightful campground with flush toilets and potable water. Super close access to the water. Would be a perfect spot for tent camping if there weren’t so many trailers everywhere.
Joe M.Scout
Logger Campground
Recreation Heaven
Great camp ground with spacious spaces. Accomadates large groups and tent camping. Friendly host and very clean. Stones throw from the boat ramp and Stampede Lake. Only down is the place is a little noisey.
- AAllison M.Scout
Ruck-A-Chucky Campground — Auburn State Recreation Area
The Dyrt has this one wrong
Mostly used by the river rafters and rafting companies that use this stop on the river for their shuttles. Many sites are in direct sun. All 5 sites are tent camping only.
- jjulie B.Guide
East Meadow Campground
A hidden gem
This is a small hidden little gem of a campground. They have flush toilets and bear boxes which makes it nice for those of us that tent camp. Close to the water and sites have plenty of space.
- MMarcie B.Traveler
Boca Rest Campground
Boca Rest Campground
Nice campsite. They are a little close to other campers but still nice. Lake was right down the hill. Bathrooms are close if you are tent camping. Very limited cell service. Camp host wad very nice and accessible. Would camp there again 😊
Alison
Legend
Indian Creek Campground (CA) - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Nice campground with a Lake
Nice campground with numerous RV and tent sites. Bathroom with flush toilets and showers. Big trees provide ample shade. Quiet area close to the amenities of the Carson Valley.
- RRoss H.Traveler
Plumas-Eureka State Park Campground
Great motorcycle campspot
Campground was full but very quiet. Stayed at a great site for tent camping with my motorcycle. Bathrooms were clean, weather good, and bugs weren’t too bad. Also a trailhead for hiking to a few secluded lakes. And the best..no cell phone coverage!!
- SShane M.Traveler
Lodgepole Campground
Good times
Great place to stay. 1 hours drive from Reno. Lake with in 5 minutes of the campground. Spots for RVs, travel trailers and/or just tent camping. Restrooms spread around the area with access to fresh water. Good size creek flowing through the campground from the lake above.
Keef W.Guide
Tahoe Valley Campground
somewhat crowded
much busier overall than the majority of the eastern sierras, still a nice get away. not too close to the lake but access is far from difficult. book ahead of time and request 9 for a tent site.
- Jay B.Traveler
Wrights Lake
Tranquility
At the top of the Sierras, El Dorado national forest, tucked in away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Stunning views, and blue skies, campground is well maintained and accessible. Rvs and tent camping. Shallow lake that warms up a little for kayaking and swimming. Great family lake.
- hharry S.Guide
South Shore Campground
Not too bad
Most site are for tent camping. The sites for trailers are not level do be prepared. There is drinking water throughout the park. Trailers longer than 26, it is a tight squeeze. No cell service at all, no where. Very quiet and not far from the lake. Bathrooms are clean.
Nile B.Scout
Mount Rose Campground
Dig it!
Very nice campground with tent sites and walk-ins. Water, bathrooms, fire pits, picnic tables, and food lockers. Walk-ins have beautiful views of Mount Rose and downtown Reno. Hiking trails, mountain biking, snowboarding, etc. Nearby Relay Peak and Mt Rose summit are great hikes. First come first serve.
- SS K.Guide
Zephyr Cove Resort
Took one look at my site, and left.
Booked a tent site. The campground was completely full. My fire ring was at the bumper of my vehicle, the picnic table was basically in someone else’s campsite, and I had to walk up a flight of stairs where the tent site was supposed to be. The site on one side of me looked down on top of me from 10 feet away, the RV site next to me was crammed on top of me as well. Their front porch was basically staring right at my site, like I would be there entertainment for the night.
I had planned to camp out of the back of my truck for a quick overnight stay. Lots of better options around.
It is nice that it is walking distance from Zephyr Cove. But Zephyr Cove was packed. Nevada beach was only a four minute drive away and much more spacious and relaxing.
$67, plus taxes and fees, for no services and being packed in like sardines, no thanks.
- AAmaya P.Scout
Alpine County Turtle Rock Park Campground - CLOSED INDEFINITELY
Hidden Jewel
Turtle Rock is a hidden jewel. It is well kept and maintained. Showers are provided for a small fee so make sure you have quarters. Toilets are dispersed throughout the campground. There’s a section for tent camping as well as RV camping. No reservations required as I always drive in whenever I go. One of my favorite spot around Markleeville area.
- Casey M.Scout
Crystal Springs Campground
Pretty chill little spot...NOT FOR LARGE RVs or CAMPERS
Great little spot for tent camping or vehicle camping. You'll be fine if you have a smaller RV or Camper trailer but would not recommend for large units. Camp host Scott was really cool and down to earth. The campsite is clean and well maintained. Pit toilets were the best I have ever seen/smelled. The site can be pretty windy so bring tent stakes and cordage to tie out your walls.
Ron G.GuideGrasshopper Flat
Pretty Good Small Lake Campground
Had a great time here - terrific proximity to lake & decent sized camping sites. Nearby Portola, & easy drive from the Reno area.
Lots of generators in use during the day (the only reason I can’t give it 5 stars, since we were tent camping) , but all seemed to abide by hours posted for operation.
Already have reservations for this summer!
- CChaseTraveler
Tahoe Valley Campground
Good last minute find
We were trying to stay up on Luther pass but the snow and forest service has the road to camp closed still in early May. We found this place just driving down into town looking for a new camp. $65 to tent camp which seemed pricey but it was last minute so we took it. Very clean bathroom great staff dog friendly and large sites.
Bowie K.Traveler
Samuel Buckland Campground — Fort Churchill State Historic Park
Clean, spacious but a little noisy
Camping during a heat wave so RVs had generators going and tent site near us was having a party. But overall this was chill, plenty of spots on a Sunday evening in July, easy to find (don’t use the GPS directions from this app - nav to Fort Churchill and camp is in the park.
Cell service came and went.
Anna W.Guide
Scotts Flat Lake
Foothills fun
Scott’s Flat is just five miles outside of Nevada City. It is run by the Nevada Irrigation District. One of the many man made lakes in the region. There are bath houses, tent sites and no hookup RV sites. It is clean but can become loud with rowdy camping neighbors. A beautiful lake to boat, fish and swim.
Erik C.GuideMeeks Bay Resort & Marina
Well kept campground
A great little campground with a fantastic beach on the lake. Sunrise over the water was beautiful. While I personally prefer a more rustic campground (we were in the tent site right next to the bathrooms), I will give them full credit for having a well organized place with very clean bathrooms. Would be a great place to camp with kids.
- Jessica B.Traveler
Ice House Campground
Beautiful Lake
Tent camped in spot 72. No shade what so ever, and it was a hot day! However loved the spacing of the campsites. Neighbors were close, though not so close to be crowded. Spot was very close to the restroom, advantage and disadvantage when a strong ordor would breeze on through. Short walk to the lake which was beautiful, spent the day floating and drinking. Have visited before, and will visit again!
Guide to Carnelian Bay
Tent camping near Carnelian Bay, California, offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the stunning scenery of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Tent campers appreciate these amenities
- The Donner Memorial State Park Campground features clean bathrooms, showers, and picnic tables, making it a comfortable choice for families and groups.
- At Lake of the Woods, campers can enjoy free sites with fire rings and benches, perfect for evening gatherings.
- Kaspian Campground offers drinking water and a picturesque location right across from the lake, ideal for those who appreciate convenience and beauty.
Explore local attractions
- The Donner Memorial State Park Campground is adjacent to the Donner Memorial Site and museum, providing a rich historical experience for visitors.
- Just a short drive from Lake of the Woods, you can access beautiful trails for hiking and biking, enhancing your outdoor adventure.
- Bear Valley Campground is located near scenic forested areas, perfect for exploring the natural beauty of the Tahoe National Forest.
Enjoy specific local activities
- Campers at Donner Memorial State Park Campground can take advantage of nearby trails leading to Donner Lake, where swimming and fishing are popular activities.
- Lake of the Woods is a great spot for kayak fishing, offering a peaceful environment for anglers.
- The Kaspian Campground is conveniently located for easy access to Tahoe City, where you can find dining and shopping options after a day of outdoor fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Carnelian Bay, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Carnelian Bay, CA is Donner Memorial State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Carnelian Bay, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 80 tent camping locations near Carnelian Bay, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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