349 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Kit Carson, California sits within a scenic valley along Highway 88, where the West Fork of the Carson River creates a natural corridor for camping opportunities. The U.S. Forest Service manages Kit Carson Campground, which features approximately 20 sites spread among trees and boulders at nearly 7,000 feet elevation. Within an hour's drive, campers can access diverse options ranging from developed sites at Fallen Leaf Campground near South Lake Tahoe to free dispersed camping along Scotts Lake Road in Hope Valley. The region encompasses both tent-focused sites and RV-accommodating campgrounds, with several locations offering cabin rentals and glamping options for those seeking additional comfort.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May through October, with limited year-round options available at lower elevations. Highway access remains reliable throughout summer months, though winter conditions can restrict travel to many sites. According to one visitor, "The only downside is that Highway 89 runs along the campground so traffic can be heard. Don't let this deter you from staying here." Bear activity is common throughout the region, with most established campgrounds providing bear-proof storage lockers. Cell service varies significantly by location, with one camper noting "Cell reception (Verizon) was very spotty. One bar, maybe two. Occasional data connection." Many campgrounds require reservations during peak summer weekends, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Riverside camping locations receive particularly positive reviews from visitors. The Kit Carson Campground offers direct access to the river, which one reviewer described as "a nice place to fish or swim." Campsites typically include standard amenities like fire pits, picnic tables, and bear lockers, with most providing pit toilets rather than flush facilities. Several campgrounds position visitors strategically for regional exploration, with one camper noting the area is "a super easy campground for a casual trip where you may want to cook sometimes, eat out others, drive to visit various hiking trails." Nearby attractions include Grover Hot Springs State Park in Markleeville (about 10 miles away) and Silver Lake, which offers boating and fishing opportunities. Small cafes and stores near some campgrounds provide basic supplies and WiFi access where cell service is limited.
"Rocky and steep road access to Scott’s lake, but easy camping on the edge of the valley."
"come early for a spot. nice views around. lots and lots of bugs. i sleep in my car and crack the windows a little bit and i woke up to a shit ton of bugs that got in my car. even more surrounding the cars"
"The campground itself is beautiful, walking distance to Fallen Leaf Lake and short drive to South Lake Tahoe. My husband, my pup and I liked the campsite a lot."
"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."
from $47 - $128 / night
Check Availability"There are also many OHV trails close by."
"I camped right on the edge where the view was as far from the highway as possible. The only downfall is that you can hear the highway. I went on a Tuesday."
"Like most other California state parks, you need tokens to operate the shower (there is a token machine nearby), but I did not use the shower. Activities/Amenities: Several hiking trails."
"Camp host was a great help for local recommendations for day trips and directions to a general store about 40min drive away."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"It was very crowded and we stayed in our site and away from public areas. Pool was open as well as restrooms/showers. They talked about bears visiting but we didn’t spot any there."
"The location is pretty good with close by restaurants and stores. We used our bikes and took some great rides from there. Campsites were nice size, didn’t feel too crammed in."
"This is a great place to camp if you want to go to Silver Lake or other area lakes for water recreation or hiking."
"With great sites, some close to the creek, friendly camp hosts, and an abundance of nearby activities, this is a must."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"A great campsite not too far from South Lake Tahoe. While most campsites are on the smaller size, there are a few which can accommodate larger tents."
"The campsite we stayed in was a little bit of a walk in (could not drive to it) but it was beautiful with just a short walk to the crag. Natural and quiet, even though 50 is not far away!"
"Really nice campground for families - bike trails, hiking trails, and access to the lake! Nearby showers are nice, too! Campground is near Tahoma Market if you need ice or last minute goodies."
"Pros: If you’re tired of fighting crowds around Lake Tahoe in peak season, head to the north west side of the lake to Sugar Pine where you’ll find lots of open sites amongst shady pines."
"4d-120.0849062) while exploring the Emerald Bay section of Lake Tahoe."
"Our site was #56 which had a partial view of the lake through the trees in the distance. It was also located directly across from the bathrooms and campground host who’s name was David."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Close to the lake with water, electric, and limited sewer hookups. Though right off the highway, traffic sounds aren’t too bad."
"The sites toward the back, away from the road, are much quieter and more private. Easy walk to the beach. Campground is busy in the summer months."
from $80 - $97 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThis was just an overnight stay for us so we closed the windows and put on music to avoid the hum of the generators surrounding us. Beautiful view as others have mentioned, and easy access back into Tahoe if you'd like. But was already packed by 3pm and a consistent hum of vehicles. But lots of level sites and easy to get back on the road!
TravelerOnly a couple people here dispersed camping on a weekend. Arrived on Friday around 2 PM and the best spot was taken, but there were several others that were very good. It’s an unusual place as it is in abandoned ski resort. Lots of wide open spaces, but to the west there are two spots that are fairly secluded, but still open space and allow for good son for solar and great mountain and Sunset views. Very spotty cell service make sure you bring Starlink. It is a little close to the road so there’s slight road noise and on the weekend you can hear gunfire far away in the distance as people are in the forest taking target practice. No big deal though, very safe place. The sites are about 7500 feet above sea level. So even on the hottest days, it’s relatively cool and very comfortable at night (50s to 60s).
ScoutBeware of camp 212 it’s very isolated and out on the edge, we had a bear encounter and there are no bear boxes so it makes it very dangerous, not only that the host that night of 8/1/26 was useless and pretty much an a-hole he did nothing and just yelled at us in the morning that we couldn’t have two cars parked in our reservation when it specifically states that we can. The maintenance is terrible the bathrooms had no functioning lights, would not recommend especially if you have kids
ScoutBeware of camp 212 it’s very isolated and out on the edge, we had a bear encounter, but not only that the host that night of 8/1 was useless and pretty much an a-hole he did nothing and just yelled at us in the morning that we couldn’t have two cars parked in our reservation when it specifically states that we can.
TravelerLove this campground. Close to lots of hiking options. Tahoe is only 20 mins away as well as Incline Village and Reno is only 30 mins away. Couple of toilets, water access, paved, well maintained, wood available to purchase, what's not to love?!
ScoutGranite Flat offers a beautiful, well-maintained scenic setting right on the Truckee River. However, be prepared for traffic noise since it sits directly along Highway 89; after staying five nights at site 12, earplugs were definitely essential for a good night's sleep. What truly made our stay special was the camp host, Roos. She is outstanding, friendly, hardworking, and genuinely dedicated to keeping the campground in top shape and making campers feel welcome. Her hard work shows—the bathrooms were easily some of the cleanest we’ve ever seen at any campground, and they even smelled fresh! Thank you, Roos, for your exceptional service and dedication. We would gladly stay here again… as long as we pack our earplugs!
ScoutHigh clearance vehicle and 4wd highly recommended. The place has gotten pretty popular, so many groups and in and out traffic I lost count. It’s a beautiful place, we enjoyed the lake.
ScoutWas not aware lake tahoe was surrounded with all kinds of shops in the area we were staying in, extremely friendly people and so were the bears! Our first night a bear came right for our campsite as we were about to cook and took our eggs out of our cooler then invited its other fuzzy friend over. It was hard to cook our food as they were targeting our campsite so we went out to eat instead. The bears walked about the campsite for 6 hours probably but besides that bathroom was clean and so was the shower i felt really safe with other campsites close to me
TravelerThe campsite is set along one side of the middle fork of the Cosumnes River and is quite lovely. It is a popular campground on weekends so reservations are recommended. There are outhouses and fresh water available. Cell service is very spotty (we have Verizon) but drive up the road a half mile and you'll get a signal. There are places to fish and swim in the river, with several day use areas in the campground.
The Kit Carson area sits at the intersection of alpine and high desert environments, with elevations ranging from 6,500 to 8,000 feet throughout nearby camping areas. Temperature swings between day and night can exceed 40 degrees even in summer months, requiring campers to prepare for both hot days and near-freezing nights. Several camping spots near Kit Carson offer direct access to both the Carson River watershed and the Tahoe Rim Trail system.
Hiking to waterfalls: Visit Grover Hot Springs State Park, approximately 20 miles from Kit Carson, where hiking trails lead to scenic spots. "There's a 5.2 mile hike down to the Freeman Creek Giant Sequoia Grove. The bathrooms are not maintained outside of the season and watch out for black widows in the corners of the bathrooms," notes one visitor to Grover Hot Springs State Park Campground.
Swimming in natural pools: Explore natural swimming areas along creeks and rivers. A camper at Silver Lake West mentions: "This campground is a gem. With great sites, some close to the creek, friendly camp hosts, and an abundance of nearby activities, this is a must. Just next to the Potholes, hike down and spend the day in the pools carved out over the millennium by the waters."
Climbing opportunities: Rock climbing enthusiasts can visit areas near Strawberry, approximately 15 miles from Kit Carson. "The cliffs at Lovers Leap are spectacular, and this valley is beautiful. The town of Strawberry has a friendly general store. This is a destination for climbing, and there is also hiking along the old Pony Express trail," shares a camper at Lovers Leap.
Natural hot springs: Soak in mineral waters at Grover Hot Springs, where entry fees apply. According to one visitor: "I have stayed at this campground in summer and winter and found it very pleasant both seasons. Very clean. Lots of space between sites, although not a lot of privacy. The hot springs can get very busy with over an hour wait to get in. Going at night has worked well for me to avoid the line."
Access to alpine lakes: Enjoy fishing, paddling, and shoreline activities at nearby lakes. A visitor to Eagle Point Campground explains: "My friend and I took down our inflatable kayaks and paddled to the Island. It was a huge plus that added to our trip and loving this campground."
Wildlife viewing: Observe native wildlife including black bears, which frequent many campgrounds in the region. One camper at Luther Pass notes: "Great location to the TRT. Stayed here the night before getting on the TRT. Very quiet and plenty of sites open... Definitely will come back to this campground. The creek is nice."
Bear activity: Proper food storage is mandatory at all campgrounds in the area. At Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping, a visitor advises: "Dispersed camping not far from Lake Tahoe. Easy to drive into just be careful of potholes and large puddles from rain, even in summer. No amenities, but it's a very beautiful area. There are herds of cows that will make their way through the area, please be respectful of them!"
Seasonal crowds: Reservations become essential during peak summer months, especially for established campgrounds. One camper notes: "Book far in advance to get a spot in summer" regarding Fallen Leaf Campground.
Weather variability: Be prepared for rapid weather changes, including summer snow at higher elevations. A visitor to Iron Mountain Dispersed camping shares: "The site was covered in snow, and there was a sign saying no camping in snow clearing conditions. Additionally you aren't allowed in without a Sno-park permit from November 1st to May 31st."
Accessible swimming: Choose campgrounds with gentle water access for younger children. A visitor to Tahoe Valley Campground comments: "We loved the bike paths all though out the area. Rode in to south Tahoe and had a great experience."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger programs and nature walks during summer months. At Grover Hot Springs, a camper shares: "There are yurts and information stations about the fields and local flora and fauna! The rangers are incredibly helpful and sweet!"
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with open meadows and safe hiking trails. "My family camps here every Labor Day weekend and has for 25+ years. This is a fun area with some cool hikes and a short walk to the hot springs pools. There is also a creek we take the little ones to catch crawdads in," notes a regular visitor to Grover Hot Springs.
Site selection: Many campgrounds have limited spaces for larger RVs. "We are new to dispersed camping and have a 40 ft 5th wheel as well as a GMC Denali 350 dually. We need a large space to fit into. We arrived on a Monday at noon and found that the large area about 1/4 mile in was not at all crowded. We had our choice of several places to set up," reports an RVer at Iron MT. Dispersed.
Road conditions: Forest service roads can present challenges for larger rigs. One RVer warns: "Holy Christ for the love of god take away the rv tag. There isn't a single spot for an rv, I tried it with my 19' single axle unit and nearly ripped the spare tire off the back the road was so steep" regarding Luther Pass.
Generator restrictions: Check campground policies regarding generator use. At Tahoe Valley Campground, a camper noted: "Great campground. Nice location. Only complaint would be generators running most of the day from all the RV's. Other then that it's a great family friendly site."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Kit Carson, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Kit Carson, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 349 campgrounds and RV parks near Kit Carson, CA and 34 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Kit Carson, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kit Carson, CA is Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping with a 4-star rating from 21 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kit Carson, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 34 free dispersed camping spots near Kit Carson, CA.
What parks are near Kit Carson, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Kit Carson, CA that allow camping, notably Eldorado National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
Keep Exploring
