Best Cabin Camping near Coleville, CA

We camp here regularly from spring to mid fall. Famous for its black and forest service atv/utv trails. Pool hot tub bar laundry. At&t and Verizon work well. T-mobile does not. Wifi is sketchy no over the air TV.

Nestled on the tranquil shores of Lake Tahoe, our family's stay at the cabins was nothing short of enchanting. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the breathtaking views of the crystal-clear Tahoe water. My wife and I were having a celebratory wedding weekend with family, we had just gotten married (eloped) in Yosemite the day before driving to Tahoe. The cabins were full of rustic charm, very cozy, and in a great location!

One of the highlights of our trip was waking up to the beauty of Lake Tahoe right outside our window. Whether we were sipping coffee on the porch or enjoying a family campfire by the shore, the lake served as the perfect backdrop for our celebratory memories.

The campground itself was well-maintained and staffed by friendly and accommodating personnel who were very helpful when it came to our firewood needs! We took advantage of the various recreational activities available, from hiking trails to water sports, and even had a chance to roast marshmallows over a campfire under the starry night sky.

Overall, our experience at the Meeks Bay Resort cabins exceeded our expectations in every way. It provided the ideal setting for quality family time, relaxation, and adventure amidst the stunning beauty of nature. We can't wait to return for another unforgettable getaway. Everyone voted that we should do this every year so we are looking forward to making this a yearly event!

There are 4 cabins that can be rented from the Park Service however, they are not actually in the park. They are across the highway and up in the hills. We drove to the park but it's only short distance.

The cabins are great but expensive, $170 per night, so I deducted a star. They are rustic. No TV, no air conditioning (just ceiling fans), no bedding or towels. You bring your own.

Jake from the Dyrt here!  If you're looking to get out there but still enjoy some nice amenities, Sierra Inn has some great cabins with a quick drive to famous Lake Tahoe.  Check them out and leave a review on the Dyrt!

We stays at the Coleville/Walker Meadowcreek KOA as a base camp during a recent trip to Mono County. We had driven by the campgrounds for years and didn't think to must about it. Well, this facility is really excellent! The hosts and staff are some of the finest folks we have ever met. Being along US 395 it does get truck and traffic noise on the two-lane highway, but with all of the amenities and access to tons of local activities the road noise was more than bearable. Clean and fresh, I mean a really upscale KOA. And they are still improving on what their have done. It's no wonder that it is on the KOA President's list of top locations in the Country. And you ask, will we visit again, you bet we will!!

We stopped here to eat dinner and since the sign said campground, of course, I inquired further. Not really a campground but what the owners called an outdoor experience. 

There are two covered wagons but since they were both occupied, we could not see inside of them. They have a double bed (linens provided for an extra cost) and no heat. There is also a five-room motel and 12 cabins, some of which have kitchenettes and some without. 

The bathhouse was small but clean. The trout project was interesting (Started in 2006 to improve Bridgeport area fisheries. The family that owns the Settlement continues to hatch and raise trout specifically to plant in Virginia Creek as a thank you to the anglers that support them. It is a non-profit that is supported by people eating in their restaurant and staying on their property). There is corn-hole, a horseshoe pit, and a fish cleaning station on-site as well as a Tesla charging station! 

The settlement is located directly on Virginia Creek on Highway 395. We’ve stayed in a variety of accommodations but never a covered wagon – it would definitely be a unique stay but would have to be when it is warmer!

Perfect campground to get away for the weekend. Almost every time I have been here we see lots of deer. Nice hiking trails, beautiful scenery.

We arrived late to the KOA and attempted to follow the late night registration. Nowhere does it say that late night registration will result in them threatening to call the cops on us. There wasn’t any envelopes. I’ve had that happen many times to me at state and national parks. Never had I had it result in harassment and threats. I’ve always had park rangers catch you on the way out or leave an envelope under the windshield wiper. However this is a KOA and a private campground and are allowed to treat customers horribly, which they did. They started banging on our camper at 3 AM woke up my baby. Threatened to cal the cops for trespassing. When I offered to pay for the site they threatened to charge more and more money if I wasn’t able to pay cash. I was never given a receipt. I was treated like a criminal. When I called them during their office hours that states that it was common courtesy not to arrive after 9. This RV park is along highway 395 so it seems bizarre not to accommodate travelers. They also woke up the campers next to us at 3 am for a similar infraction but state that aside from me this has “never happened”. Save yourself the harassment and threats and a good night sleep and just drive past Coleville KOA.

Fallen Leaf Lake Campground is a sweet spot to get away. It is just south of South Lake Tahoe, and generally won't be as crowded. Weekends get busy for sure. We have been several times and my 3 boys loved being near the mountains, out of the heat, and so close to an awesome body of water. Hopefully next time we can get a site next to the lake. Either way, the campground is clean, and the sites are large.

This campground is located at 5000 ft elevation in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is about 2 1/2 housa from the San Francisco bay area. The campsites are a very short walk from the lake. the sites are spacious, well spaced and shady. Amenities are quite good with flush toilets, showers, a general store and more. There is a beautiful trail around the lake. It is very picturesque with the lake being surrounded by granite mountains.Reservations can be had through the USFS and if the main campground is filled there is a first come first served overflow about a half mile by trail or road to the lake.Tthe lake has swimming fishing and pleasure boating with rentals available. It is located along highway 108 east of Sonora Ca.

This campground was one of the nicest I've come across. It's right on the California-nevada state line near Lake Tahoe. In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful places in the US. A lot of the campsites have a view of the lake. They have sites for tents and RVs. The bathrooms are nice and there's fresh drinking water. There are some public grills to use. Really nice amenities at this place.

I personally just love lake Tahoe. Amazing hiking around the lake. Mount Tallac is a killer but gorgeous hike. Go stand on the line between Nevada and California like I did! In the winter this place is awesome too, because the ski resort has some great runs.

Calaveras is, hands down, my favorite park in CA. It’s beauty and trees are unmatched anywhere in California. It is perfect for hiking, exploring, and nearby fishing. If you do any park besides the more well known ones in CA, do not pass this one up!

I think this is my favorite California State Park. It is situated in the Calaveras Big Trees Giant Sequoia Grove.

The campsites are spacious with lots of room between you and other campers, hot showers, great Visitors Center, campfire programs, puppet shows, self guided hikes, Stanislaus River, Beaver Creek, lots of wildlife, astronomy programs (we even got to see the International Space Station go overhead) and so much more.

We saw a yearling doe with the longest eyelashes I have ever seen on a deer, a fledgling osprey with a little hick-up in his first flight, lots of squirrels, chipmunks, and other critters, birds of all different colors. Just delightful.

Big Trees is close to explore the many little charming Gold Country Towns in the area and if you want to go out to dinner every kind of cuisine you can imagine.

You will have an awesome time at Calaveras Big Trees.

We got a last minute cancelled site at the Fallen Leaf Campground, and thought we’d truly lucked out. We stayed at site 87 which is nestled among towering native pine trees on the South end of the campground and one of the few sites which doesn’t have neighbors on all sides. The sites have the standard standing BBQ's and fire rings at all sites (but we couldn’t utilize them because of the fire ban), old picnic tables and various amounts of space for RV’s/cars and the tried and true bear box. In this campground you NEED to utilize the bear boxes. They have signs everywhere about the mass amount of bear activity and how there is a mother and her 2 cubs which have been terrorizing the campground for some time this season (2018). Again, you need to keep everything (food, toiletries, etc.) in the bear box at all times. The sites are reservable, and on top of the $35 (nonelectric) per site there is a $7 fee for a second vehicle, Yurts go for $86 which do have power and a nonrefundable $10 service fee…. While the campground allows dogs, they aren’t allowed in the Yurts.

There’s lots of bear proof dumpsters around the campground, lots of potable water in strategic spots and a number of decent restrooms, and it was nice that at some of them they provided hot (pay) showers (at $1 per 3 minutes) and while the ADA has some control the standard one has no control over the heat or pressure its simply on or off. Also, the restrooms have no soap, paper towels, or hand dryers, etc. Which was a little disappointing for the cost.

My biggest disappointment in the setup of the campground has to do with the bears and cleaning your dishes. There is no dish-washing area in the entire ~200 site, ~14 bathroom campground. They specifically ask that you don’t wash your dishes in the sinks or at the water spigots as they don’t want any food particles going down the drains. So, when I asked about disposing of the dish water they said to just toss it at the base of a tree, as it’s dry and the trees would appreciate it. This doesn’t help keep the bears away… While we scrapped and collected every bit of food waste we could and tossed it into the dumpsters, ff you’re just tossing food scrap-soaked water at the base of the trees the bears are going to come for the smell… I’ve stayed at other sites in bear country which have setups for disposing of the waste water and food scraps to detract bears and Fallen Leaf definitely is lacking and this is possibly part of the reason they’re having such an issue with bears.

While, our site (87) would probably normally be a great location with the Fallen Leaf Lake being the only thing behind you and no neighbors on at least 2 of your sides, we happened to somehow book the same weekend that a corporate event was taking over the vast majority of the campground with almost 200 people….

While, not entirely the campgrounds fault it was a little disruptive to have this mass number of people come directly next to us in site 88 for their meals as they’d decided to make that site the meal prep site for breakfast (they started prep at 5:30 am) and dinner (we actually had to ask the drunk group to stop screaming at midnight) these were both well outside the “quiet hours” and definitely surpassed the “6 people per site” rule.

Otherwise this campground is in a great location to see the area as it’s only approximately one-quarter mile north of Fallen Leaf Lake. The trail from the campground was only 3 sites over from us. The Taylor Creek Visitor Center is directly across Highway 89 and is a great location to talk to the Rangers about other potential hikes in the area. They also have interpretive programs, guided walks on the Rainbow Trail and to the Stream Profile Chamber (which was closed because someone decided to break it. Although it should be repaired now… end of September 2018). Also, nearby Baldwin Beaches or Pope Beach, which cost $10, or you can go to the Tallac Historic Site with tours and events at its historic buildings and grounds and the free (dog friendly) Kiva beach which is exactly the same as the other pay access beaches….

There’s also a really nice paved bike trail that runs 3 miles along Highway 89 and can be used to access all of the above. You have access to excellent day hiking and backpacking in Desolation Wilderness via the Glen Alpine or Mt. Tallac trailheads which are also nearby.

Fallen Leaf Campground • South Lake Tahoe

$34.50 - 36.50 • Sites 078, 156

Pulling into Tahoe via Stateline, Nevada is like pulling into a Las Vegas/Up North baby. Casinos and resorts turn into camps and fudge shops. From the East you’ll pass thru all of that, past the Camp Richardson and finally turn away from Lake Tahoe into Fallen Leaf Campground. If you’re going to camp in Tahoe you’ve made the right decision. Fallen Leaf Lake is at the rear of the camp. While smaller and not as well known it is also not overly trafficked, crystal clear and surrounded by hiking paths along the water.

Fallen Leaf Campground is a massive 206+ site compound complete with its own store, shower houses and if you travel past the camp all the way to the other side of the lake (and other campgrounds) an ice cream shop. That said, Fallen Leaf Campground does a great job of keeping an “out in the woods” vibe. It is absolutely that place that families go year after year after year, but if you can get a site on the outer loop you can still have some separation, plenty of trees and with the lake so close, feel like you’re in the heart of nature. One of the better jobs by a large scale campground I’ve experienced.

But be prepared. It’s going to be full of kids and dogs and campers who are not necessarily out there to experience nature but to see family and friends and likely drink a caseload of Bud Light a day. There may also be bears. Bears are everywhere here. Or so we heard. We never saw one, but the camp staff and campers around us all had bear stories that "just happened yesterday! or last week! or in 1950!" Basically, bears. There are bear boxes at each site, and kids everywhere you probably won't be a bears first target. Just be bear aware. Across the main road from the campground is the mighty Lake Tahoe. It was okay. Lots of people, lots of choppy waves. We preferred setting up the hammock by Fallen Leaf Lake.

The showers were nice but pricey. Four U.S. Quarters for 3 minutes. You can get done what you want but no more. There are about four per loop (give or take 25 sites) but we never had a problem finding one open. There are no outlets for charging or bathroom appliances though. The older bathrooms along the inner loop are dated and worn but have accessible outlets if you need some juice. The toilets everywhere are flush and each loop has at least one camp host staying on it. The staffers were friendly, helpful and accessible.

The outer loop is where you want to be if you are looking for any privacy or traveling alone. The inner loop, with its lack of privacy, was the spot for large groups. On our second night we stayed in the inner loop and our neighbors had booked 19 sites for incoming family and friends. It’s tough being in the middle of that when you weren’t planning on joining a new family. The outer loop sites are mostly well shaded and have a lot more privacy, as well as lake accessibility if you are in the back row which I’d recommend. At $34.50 you want the best spots. It also forced me to ask myself, “How much is too much for a campsite?”

Fallen Leaf Lake Campground gets 3 Tent Stakes of Awesomeness. In Tahoe, you’ll never escape the crowds or tourists, but Fallen Leaf Lake Campground does a good job of insulating you somewhat from that while maintaining a nice campground on the edge of a lovely lake. No blasphemy intended but I’d spend the day at Fallen Leaf Lake over Lake Tahoe any day.

Pro-Tip #1: Site 078-079 are massive pull-thru sites but great if you’re tent camping. More private, well shaded and closest to the lake and free downed firewood.

Pro-Tip #2: Site 156 sucks. Unless you want to look at stars. No shade or privacy. A long way from any shower/bath house and electric wires running above you.

_Pro-Tip #3: Firewood is readily available downed by the lake or on trails if you’re willing to put in five minutes of effort. _

Pro-Tip #4: The Baldwin ruins aren’t worth it, but the walk around the lake or along the Morraine Trail is.

Pro-Tip #5: There is a decent wind that starts early to mid-afternoon coming in against the shore over the lake. It is blocked to the camp, but mornings are the best time for lake time. Mornings are glassy on the lake for paddle boarding and kayaking as well, but choppier in the afternoon.

This is a top of line KOA!! Scott and Tim have this campground and it’s lodging in tip too shape. Super clean, great grounds and that have daily upkeep. We stayed for 5 days and everyday someone was doing something. Even mowing the lawn while enjoying a cigar. Every night they walked through the grounds to see how everyone was while drinking a glass of wine. Also, we screwed up our reservations and they immediately saved us and we’re able to accommodate an extra day. It’s a bit far from the Yosemite entrance but so worth it! Also, it’s really close to Tahoe, and other great places like Bristlecone Forest. Great location! Love this place!!! One last thing…they will deliver items from their store to your campsite!!!!

We were here in June 2020. The park was clean and comfortable. We were able to explore Bridgeport, Virginia City, and Tahoe for day trips from this location. We had passes to get into Yosemite but could not go in due to a road closure of the 395. We’d definitely stay here again.

This was one of the best stays we have had in a while. It was a perfect break from some of the more rustic sites. The customer service was top-notch, the facility was clean and peaceful, and there was reception and WiFi. For someone with T-Mobile, I got between 1 and 2 bars.

I would also like to point out that the bathrooms were the cleanest and nicest we have seen so far. A+ stay!