Camping near Kings Beach, California ranges from high-elevation sites at 6,200 feet to lakeside locations across Nevada-California borders. Summer temperatures average 75-80°F during daytime with nighttime drops to 40-50°F, requiring campers to pack accordingly. The Tahoe Basin camping season typically runs May through October with several year-round options available for winter enthusiasts.
What to do
Hiking from camp: At Granite Flat Campground, situated along the Truckee River, campers can access multiple hiking trails. The camp's proximity to town makes it ideal for day trips. "One negative to this campground is that the highway is right next to it. The Tahoe region is EXTREMELY popular so I'd suggest booking early if you can," notes Sherry L.
Winter activities: Washoe Lake State Park Campground remains open year-round with power hookups on Loop A. "Winter camping is available on Loop A with full power hookups on a first come, first serve basis. Bathrooms are open all winter. Hiking is nice right from the campground and wild horses graze not far away," explains Andrew R.
Water recreation: Fishing and kayaking opportunities abound at Boca Rest Campground, where the lake offers summer recreation. "Beautiful campsite right next to the water. Vault bathrooms were clean. Lots of RV sites and fairly busy campground. People were respectful of quiet hours," shares Andrea M. The reservoir is known for cooler water temperatures and excellent fishing.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campers consistently praise the roominess at D.L. Bliss State Park Campground, where sites are designed to maximize privacy despite being in a popular area. "One thing my wife and I love about this campground is the creative design of the sites. They are close together but beautiful and create such a fun experience," reports Brady R.
Natural shade: The dense forest cover at many campgrounds provides natural cooling. "Davis Creek is the closest place that feels like we're in the mountains. Not many campgrounds in Northern NV have forest like trees. The spaces are a good size but kinda close to one another. Rangers are friendly and often stop by just to see how things are going," explains Sabrina D.
Lake access: Proximity to water remains a top priority. "The beach is unbelievable with water as clear as the east shore. Don't tell your friends - keep it a secret!" exclaims Bobby L. about D.L. Bliss. Most lakefront campgrounds require advance reservations during peak season, with some sites booking 6 months ahead.
What you should know
Highway noise: Traffic sounds affect many campgrounds in the region. At Davis Creek Regional Park, "You are close enough to hear it but it's more a white noise with the occasional truck breaking. You can't see it though so that's a plus," notes Sabrina D. Similar conditions exist at Granite Flat, where highway noise is noticeable but tends to diminish at night.
Bear activity: Bear encounters occur regularly throughout the Tahoe region. "We did have a bear come through our campsite and scared the crap out of us so make sure you put all food items & trash in the bear bin!" warns Josie H. from Sugar Pine Point State Park. Most campgrounds provide bear boxes, but campers must remain vigilant about food storage.
Winter limitations: While year-round camping exists, services decrease substantially. "It's $25 instead of the full $30 required for an out-of-state vehicle at a hookup site. I think $5 was taken off since the water at the sites was still shut off," reports Mea H. about Washoe Lake's winter operations.
Tips for camping with families
Best kid-friendly sites: Donner Memorial State Park Campground offers excellent facilities for families. "I am a 12 year old and I had tons of fun. Me and my friends were up there and there was conveniently a campground available in there same campsite. We went in the summer and the water was perfect! We went fishing and caught crawfish in a trap underneath the bridge near the front," shares Bobby S.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds feature interpretive programs. "Donner Memorial has three camps within this large campground. Two of them have quick walking access to the lake. One is situated between. Most campsites are large. Kids age 0-99 rule the day as there are boulders all around for to climb, a lake to swim in, trails to hike and paved loops for riding bikes. The interpreter center is informative," explains Eleni R.
Swimming options: Water temperatures vary significantly between locations. Lake Tahoe remains cold year-round (55-65°F in summer), while smaller lakes warm more quickly. Boca Reservoir offers swimming in a less crowded setting than main Lake Tahoe beaches during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Village Camp Truckee, RVers should choose carefully. "There are some sites that are nice and wide giving you room from your neighbors and there are some sites like the one we had that left 1 foot of separation. We had respectful neighbors so it was not an issue. We were unable to pull out our awnings due to trees," advises Dennis W.
Year-round accessibility: Washoe Lake State Park provides reliable winter access. "We paid $25 instead of the full $30 required for an out-of-state vehicle at a hookup site. I think $5 was taken off since the water at the sites was still shut off. Only one loop was open for winter," notes Mea H.
Dump station locations: Most RV parks near Kings Beach have dump stations, but not all campgrounds do. Donner Memorial State Park and Washoe Lake State Park offer dump stations, while Granite Flat does not. Fees typically range from $5-10 for non-campers.
