Are you in need of a campground near South Lake Tahoe, CA? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—South Lake Tahoe is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near South Lake Tahoe, CA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
$47 - $128 / night
"Fallen Leaf Campground is located on south lake Tahoe about a mile from the beach."
"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."
"South Lake Tahoe had gotten 20 inches of snow in the 14 days prior to our arrival, then got four more inches while we were there."
"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."
$25 - $45 / night
"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."
$59 - $94 / night
"We've always like zephyr cove as it's a bit away from the south shore hectic crowds. Zephyr cove rv park has a ton of rvs, but rent camping as well."
"Short walk across the highway to the beach, which is nice, but couldn’t get over proximity to other campers. We enjoyed our night but likely won’t visit again."
$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."
$75 - $92 / night
"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."
$41 - $45 / night
"This large campground (which is run by the city) is right in the middle of South Lake Tahoe and across the highway from The Lake."
"Campground is right on the main drag through town and just across the street and a short walk to the lake, although the lake does not permit dogs in this area."
$47 - $49 / night
"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."
"The absolutely best thing about camping here was being a short, short walk from the shore of Lake Tahoe. "
$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."
$25 - $475 / night
"Only $35 dollars, which is the cheapest you'll find north of South Lake Tahoe. Perfect for tent camping. Not busy at all during the non reserve season. Would go again for sure."
"You can drive and park over there or walk or ride a bike.
The campground bathrooms and showers were so clean, the camp hosts were AWESOME and our site was huge!"
TravelerI absolutely adore this dispersed site because of the fond memories that I had growing up using the site while it was fully operational (for 28 years). It used to be a fully operational campground, but it's now decommissioned and only accessible by walking in. That said, this spot likely won’t meet the expectations of most campers looking for convenience or amenities.
The road to the campsites is closed to motorized vehicles, but you can still drive up to a gate where there’s space to park about 5 vehicles—more if you don’t mind double parking with people in your group. From there, it’s a short walk in. Some sites still have old wooden picnic tables, but they’re pretty worn down. If you have a group larger than 8, I’d recommend bringing an extra table or some additional seating. Be mindful of your surroundings—there are many dead-standing trees and potentially hazardous branches, so choose your tent and eating areas carefully.
There are no toilets, no running water, and very few visitors aside from the residents who live along Hells Halfacre Road. However, if you walk down the hill from the campsites, you’ll find a few great swimming holes—definitely worth the effort on a warm day.
If you do visit, please respect the land and the locals. It’s a quiet, off-the-grid kind of place—perfect for those who appreciate solitude and rustic camping.
GuideWe were at another location up the road that was listed on Dyrt and the Forest Service Fire Team came up and started talking and they suggested this site and its awesome. You cross the bridge over the river and the trail is to the right. There are a total of 3 established sites. The 3rd site requires a vehicle with a little more clearance. We got our group to the second site and that included a van camper that was 2wd so its easy to get to the first two sites. All the sites are on the river and have paths down tonthe water with a little beach. When we were there I early June the water was still very cold. It's a popular fishing spot with the locals. Not much traffic at all as its on a side street. Each site is large enough for 3 campers to fit. Stone fire pits hard already been established as well. Would definitely come back given the chance.
ScoutThis campground is well played out, with nice shade trees. There is a decent laundry facility and pool/spa access. All this and easy access from the freeway. For those who enjoy some adult games, there is a casino that you can spend some time and support the Nevada economy. You might earn a prime rib dinner if you get a players card and earn enough points.
ScoutA paved road leads you up into a recently deforested area that seems to have had a fire recently. Found a nice spot near the top with a wide open clearing, perfect for watching the sun set next to a fire. Very quiet. Will likely be back at some point.
ScoutRelatively quiet and well maintained, the sites were more compact than we expected. It is great if you are planning to spend your time exploring the area. There is quite a bit of sap, but I suppose that is normal for this time of year.
Travelerthe campground is typical - flat for parking and tents. bathrooms with flush toilets. it’s very close to US HWY 50, and the road noise reflects that.
ScoutSpent one night here. A little airplane noise, but tolerable. General vibe was a very quiet space. Lovely campground among the pine trees overlooking a small lake.
ScoutStayed here 7 months besides the constant nagging from maintenance… which I get… it’s nice and they wanna keep it that way. Overall great place to stay NOV-JUNE
ScoutNever saw anyone working to rv park. That maybe a good thing, or not. Store had no inventory. Basic needs & full hookups. Not much to look at but it is high desert. Close to the town of Virginia City. When we got here the wind was blowing incredibly. No fires allowed. Park was on the mall side with several year round residents if you know what I mean. Overall it is just a place to stay if you there to see the touristy Virginia City.
Camping near South Lake Tahoe offers stunning views and a variety of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax by the lake, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful area.
Camping around South Lake Tahoe is a fantastic way to enjoy nature, but being prepared can make all the difference. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's a spot for you in this beautiful area.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, South Lake Tahoe, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 367 campgrounds and RV parks near South Lake Tahoe, CA and 35 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South Lake Tahoe, CA is Fallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe with a 4.5-star rating from 33 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 35 free dispersed camping spots near South Lake Tahoe, CA.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near South Lake Tahoe, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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