South Lake Tahoe sits at an elevation of 6,237 feet in the Sierra Nevada mountains, experiencing warm summer temperatures typically between 75-80°F during peak camping season. Winter camping requires additional preparation with temperatures often dropping below freezing at night. The area's camping options include both lakeside and forest settings within a 30-minute drive radius from the city center.
What to do
Beach access: At RV Village Campground At Camp Richardson Resort, you can walk directly to Lake Tahoe's shore. "Very close walk down to the Lake and the Beacon restaurant where you can have world famous RumRunner," notes Janet G. The restaurant provides a welcome meal option after a day of water activities.
Fishing spots: French Meadows Reservoir offers trout fishing opportunities about 90 minutes from Tahoe. "Great trout fishing. Bear country be advised. Extreme fire danger the summer months and closed due to snow in winter," mentions Toby R. Bring appropriate tackle and check local fishing regulations before arrival.
Casino entertainment: Gold Dust West RV Park provides gaming options within walking distance of your campsite. "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," according to Valerie B. The $9.99 prime rib special receives positive reviews from campers.
What campers like
Variety of terrain: Lake Tahoe camping offers both lakeside and mountain forest settings. "This campground is right in town but there's enough space and trees to give it a natural setting," says Sarah R. about Tahoe Valley Campground. Many sites balance accessibility with natural surroundings.
Winter camping options: Some Lake Tahoe RV parks remain open year-round, allowing for snow camping experiences. "We ended up camping in a truck camper at Tahoe Valley Campground after being caught in a snow storm. For a last minute find, it turned out to be an awesome choice...nothing beats making a fire in the snow and waking up to a couple of feet of white fluffiness!" shares Basia M.
Swimming conditions: Water temperatures vary across locations. At French Meadows, "Loved the water access, and water was perfect temperature for swimming for our toddlers even," notes Anastasia P. Water temperature tends to be coldest in early summer when snowmelt feeds the lake.
What you should know
Site elevation differences: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain that affects tent placement. "WARNING- two thirds of the campsites were on a slope with no where to setup a tent on level ground. We got lucky and reserved a site with a 'decent' spot to place a tent," warns Graham K. about French Meadows. Request information about site levelness when making reservations.
Age restrictions: Some RV parks enforce vehicle age policies. "There is NO mention of an age restriction on their website...But they WILL take the reservation online, take your money, then call to check the age of your rig," reports Leah T. regarding Sparks Marina RV Park, which has a 10-year rule for RVs.
Quiet hours enforcement: Enforcement varies between campgrounds. "Nicely kept campground but no night enforcement for quiet hours. Had several rowdy groups keeping us up til 2am. A few air horns, car alarms going off. No camp hosts or ground keepers around," according to Cassidy R.
Tips for camping with families
Planned activities: Some campgrounds organize regular family events. Tahoe Valley Campground "put on a ton of events like karaoke nights, live music, and smores nights," reports Dani P., making it suitable for families seeking structured activities.
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with dedicated swimming areas. "There is a pool, and kids pool. Great showers, basketball courts, volleyball," mentions Craig & Linda L. about Ghost Mountain RV Campground. These facilities provide alternatives when lake water is too cold.
Bear safety: Secure food storage varies between campgrounds. "Our neighbors told us of bear stories coming up to their camp the day before so I was not sure why bear boxes were not includes for each site. Is that a thing for RV villages?" questions Sarah B. When camping with children, prioritize locations with proper bear boxes for peace of mind.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Silver City RV Resort offers complete utility connections. "Beautiful setting and great, complete amenities. Lots of long term folks staying here but many overnight spots available most of the time," notes Alison. Call ahead during summer weekends to confirm availability.
Site width considerations: Many Lake Tahoe RV parks feature narrow sites. "Sites are wide and recent upgrades will have nice vine covered privacy fences between each site," comments Lyf Uninterrupted about Silver City RV Resort. However, at other locations: "With the slide out and stairs down we were hanging over the edge of the pull through site."
Check-in procedures: RV check-in can be time-consuming at popular destinations. "The line at 2pm was horrible! I got there at 2:01 and there were already 20 people in front of me. The process is painfully slow," cautions Nicki M. Arrive mid-week when possible to avoid weekend crowds and lengthy waits.
