Camping sites near Kings Beach sit between 6,000-7,000 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where summer temperatures typically range from 70-80°F during the day and 40-50°F at night. The region features numerous forested campgrounds with Ponderosa and Jeffrey pines providing natural shade, while many sites require bear-resistant food storage containers due to active wildlife in the area.
What to do
Hiking from campgrounds: Several campgrounds near Kings Beach connect to trail networks throughout the Tahoe region. At D.L. Bliss State Park Campground, "You can drive down to the waterside and take a great cliffside hike along the lake. They also have a number of cool rock formations," according to Steve & Ashley G.
Float the Truckee River: The Truckee River offers refreshing summer recreation opportunities. At Granite Flat, campers can "float from one end of the campground down to the other end or keep going if you can find a ride (Uber) back to the campground," shares Sherry L. This makes for a perfect hot-weather activity.
Winter camping options: While many Kings Beach area campgrounds close seasonally, some remain open year-round. At Washoe Lake State Park Campground, "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," notes Andrew R.
What campers like
Beach access and swimming: Lake Tahoe's clear waters provide excellent swimming opportunities. At Sugar Pine Point State Park, the campground is "across the street from the state park day use area where you can access the lake, but it's so easily accessible and you don't have to pay for the day use area once you pay for your campsites," explains Natalie G.
Wooded privacy: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Kings Beach offer sites with natural separation. At Boca Rest Campground, reviewers appreciate the scenery: "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," notes Andrea M.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms at campgrounds near Kings Beach. One camper at Sugar Pine Point State Park Campground reports, "The campground bathrooms and showers were so clean, the camp hosts were AWESOME and our site was huge!"
What you should know
Bear activity: Bears frequently visit campgrounds around Kings Beach, requiring proper food storage. At Village Camp Truckee, secured storage is essential. Similarly, at Sugar Pine Point State Park, one camper noted: "A mom bear did appear around 10:30pm in our site but she left once she confirmed the bear vault was properly closed."
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds in the Kings Beach area close during winter months. William Kent Campground operates "May 5 - Oct 11" according to The School for Y., while Tahoe State Recreation Area operates "May 26 to September 4."
Highway noise: Several campgrounds near Kings Beach experience road noise. At Granite Flat, "The Highway is loud during the day, that's the only downfall from this beautiful spot," mentions Chad F. Similarly, at Davis Creek Regional Park, you'll find "very shady sites as it sits in a grove of tall mature pines" but it's "about a half mile off highway 395."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly beach options: Not all beaches allow dogs, so research pet-friendly options. Near Zephyr Cove Resort, one camper notes, "No dogs are allowed on the beach which was a bummer, but I assume was for wildlife preservation, or preventing landmines."
Kid-friendly water access: Shallow water areas provide safe swimming for children. At Boca Rest Campground, "families with young kids were paddling around the shallows on inflatable rafts," observes Norma Y.
Extra vehicle planning: Many campgrounds limit vehicles per site or charge extra. At Davis Creek Regional Park, "fees are pretty based on the honor system. $20 a night, $5 for an extra vehicle and 7 people max per site," explains Lindsay B.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose sites based on your specific needs. At Village Camp Truckee, "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," warns Dennis W.
Winter RV options: For year-round RV camping near Kings Beach, Washoe Lake State Park offers winter amenities. "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," explains Mea H.
Leveling requirements: Uneven terrain is common in mountain campgrounds. At D.L. Bliss State Park, "The sites are somewhat uneven, so you will need levelers if you are sleeping in a van or small RV," advises a reviewer.
