Olympic Valley, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Olympic Valley is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Discover great camping spots near Olympic Valley, reviewed by campers like you.
$35 / night
"Two of them have quick walking access to the lake. One is situated between. Most campsites are large."
"Nice state park right next to the Donner Memorial Site and Donner Lake. We were in site 133 which was not the easiest site to get in with a trailer."
$22 - $44 / night
"The campground is in a beautiful setting, easy to get to, and right off the Highway."
"Nice campsite located right on Highway 89, 1 mile from Truckee and a short drive to Tahoe City. Right on the Truckee River and has 68 family sites and 7 walk in sites."
$42 - $118 / night
"The sites were large considering the prime Tahoe location - we had plenty of space for our 9x8ft tent. "
"Conveniently located within walking distance of a lot of different places. Beautiful campground. Only enough parking for one car per a spot. Decent bathrooms."
$35 - $475 / night
"This campground is on the West side in California about halfway up Lake Tahoe. You take a very winding and narrow two-lane road."
"I had the opportunity to stay in this campground when it was nearly empty."
"Close to Truckee, a very nice looking rv park, plenty of nice size spots surrounded by trees. Quiet and well maintained.
This is the one to stay at when visiting Tahoe-Donner."
"Nice place to hub for Donner Lake or one of the other lakes in the close proximity."
$35 - $165 / night
"Lake tahoe is one of the most beautiful place in California. There are plenty of state parks and campsites around the lake, but D.L. Bliss is one of my favorite."
"We got a site right along the lake (stairs to the beach were just adjacent to our site) and there were only 2 other people in the entire campground."
$55 - $57 / night
"Just a small walk away from Lake Tahoe shore. Big beautiful trees cover the entire campground. A couple bathrooms that surprisingly do not smell bad and have a running faucet."
"The beach is about a 5 minute walk from any spot. Only complaints are the beach is not dog friendly so if you have your dog you can’t go onto the beach but, you can drive close to a dog beach."
$47 - $128 / night
"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."
$35 / night
"Great small campsites right next to Tahoe City and right off the lake. Camp hosts are friendly and attentive. Great biking trail that cuts through the camp and follows the Truckee river."
"Lake Tahoe is a great area year round for camping and skiing, went winter skiing at Lake Tahoe 2004, lodges and cabins for rent, great passes and the lake is beautiful in the summer!!"
$20 / night
"Some friends and I stayed at this campground because of its proximity to Lake Tahoe, where we had planned to take a day trip to kayak.
I thought the campground was very peaceful."
"Trukee river runs right by the campground, however if you want to stay in the sites next to it you will have to hike your stuff to your site. I believe they were sites 23 to 27."
TravelerAwesome site, stayed in my van on the boat launch. There are tent sites above the boat ramp with bear boxes and fire rings. Left side of tent sites is very loud due to the rushing river. Very secluded from others, only 2 others on the boat ramp in vans. do not attempt to do this in anything smaller than an SUv sedans would definitely not be able to make it to this site. Road has lots of holes and rocks sticking up out the ground.
ScoutBathrooms are located in the day use area and a bit of a walk from the camping area. RV dump is closed “until further notice”. Right off Hwy 50 so expect noise. Compared to other state parks along Hwy 50, this one is a dump.
GuideThere were definitely a few long term campers here. But the place was very clean. No cell service fyi. Easy to get to, road is dirt but has very few bumps.
TravelerMy cousins and I stayed in sites one through three. They are extremely close to the lake, near the dam. We were able to leave our chairs and kayaks down by the water, and felt totally secure. we were able to kayak down to the other end of the lake, where there is a small waterfall. our sites had to be reserved, but there are some FCFS sites as well. Pit bathrooms are OK. The portable water spigot was broken, so we had to get some water from Middle blue lake Campground, about a mile away. The water issues is the only reason I am taking a star off, this place is beautiful, and we are definitely coming back. A couple of the sites will accommodate, decent sized rigs.
TravelerNo cell signal here - speed test is from starlink. Note google & garmin routing from Nevada City takes a bridge with a 4 Ton weight restriction.
ScoutNot a fan. Came for the Reno Balloon Race; booked it 4 months in advance. But they only had overflow available. You have to call to make a reservation. They didn't disclose to me that the overflow is just a parking lot where their warehouse is(on the other side of their property). I think this should be on the website because otherwise, you have no idea what you signed up for until you arrive. There's no sewer hookup; you can dump at the end. You have to share the water hose with other Rv's during your stay. So you fill up your tank in the beginning. The electric hookup was fine and was 30 amp. However there was no grass for my dog to potty. Pottying my dog at night was not pleasant. The pool is under repair and currently not an available amenity, which should be disclosed on their website. The lot abutts a gravel company that transports rocks and it gets kind of noisy and dusty, even on weekends. I paid$50/day. I won't be staying there again. But the positives were that the staff were friendly and the place is clean.
TravelerBlue lakes in the Markleeville area are some of the most beautiful lakes I've camped at. Will definitely be visiting again.
ScoutWhat a great camp site. We used site 31, with a tent. While it was a little rocky the site was great. Located near the restroom but not to close (if you know what I mean). The site is while in five to 15 mins of several lakes and breathtaking water falls. The walking trails being the grounds are easy and shady for those hot summer days.
LegendEasy to get to and easy to park at although not a great spot for tents. Unfortunately there was a massive fire here and there is nothing to look at but burned out trees.
Camping near Olympic Valley, California, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.
Camping near Olympic Valley, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With a little planning and knowledge, you can have a memorable experience in this beautiful area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I camp in Olympic Valley?
Olympic Valley offers several excellent camping options within a short drive. Donner Memorial State Park Campground provides spacious sites with easy lake access, boulder climbing, and hiking trails – perfect for families. For a more secluded experience, Tahoe National Forest Wild Plum Campground offers private pine forest sites along Haypress Creek, popular with mountain bikers heading to nearby Downieville. Other options include Granite Flat near Truckee and Tahoe State Recreation Area Campground for those wanting to stay closer to amenities.
What is the best time of year to visit Olympic Valley?
Summer (June-August) is ideal for Olympic Valley camping with warm days perfect for lake activities and hiking. Meeks Bay on Lake Tahoe's western shore offers a beautiful sandy beach during these peak months. Late spring (May-June) brings wildflowers and fewer crowds, while early fall (September-October) showcases spectacular foliage with generally stable weather. D.L. Bliss State Park Campground is particularly stunning during fall when crowds thin out but temperatures remain pleasant. Winter brings heavy snowfall, making most campgrounds inaccessible except those catering to winter sports enthusiasts.
What activities are available near Olympic Valley campgrounds?
Olympic Valley and surrounding areas offer endless recreation opportunities. Near Gold Lake 4x4 Campground, you'll find exceptional fishing, phenomenal hiking trails with Sierra Buttes views, and off-roading adventures. Water enthusiasts can enjoy swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding at numerous lakes. American River Resort provides easy river access plus walkable proximity (half mile) to town for shopping and dining. The region also features mountain biking on the famous Downieville downhill, rock climbing on natural granite formations, and wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the Tahoe National Forest.
Are reservations required for camping in Olympic Valley?
Reservations are highly recommended for most Olympic Valley area campgrounds, especially during the busy summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day). Fallen Leaf Campground and other Forest Service sites typically allow reservations up to 6 months in advance through recreation.gov. Some private options like Olde LYFE Alpacas on Davis Ranch offer a unique experience with more flexible booking. While a few campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, arriving mid-week or very early in the day is essential to secure a spot during peak season.
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