Best Campgrounds near Tahoe City, CA

Campgrounds near Tahoe City spread across the western shores of Lake Tahoe, offering a range of established sites within minutes of the water. William Kent Campground, located in the Sunnyside area, accommodates tents and RVs with amenities like drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings. Several state park options including Sugar Pine Point State Park provide additional camping areas with varying levels of services and proximity to the lake. Most developed campgrounds in the region support both tent and RV camping, with some sites featuring cabin rentals and glamping opportunities.

Seasonal operation significantly affects campground availability around Lake Tahoe, with most sites opening from May through October. "Open May 5 - Oct 11" noted one reviewer about William Kent Campground, reflecting the typical season for most facilities in the area. Winter snow closures restrict camping options during colder months, though some year-round sites exist. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when lakeside campgrounds frequently reach capacity. Proximity to both developed areas and natural settings creates varied camping experiences, with some campgrounds backing onto residential neighborhoods while others provide more seclusion within forested settings. Tahoe State Recreation Area offers sites directly adjacent to the lake but tends to fill quickly during peak season.

Campers consistently highlight waterfront access as a primary appeal of the region. One visitor described William Kent as having a "great spot close to the lake" and mentioned being able to "walk to a small beach" or access nearby restaurants. Sites closer to the shoreline receive higher ratings but typically require advance booking. Several reviews mention the cleanliness of campgrounds, with one camper noting William Kent was "the cleanest campground we've ever stayed in." Road noise affects some camping areas, particularly those located directly along Highway 89. Campground hosts receive positive mentions in multiple reviews, providing local information about hiking trails, wildlife activity, and nearby services. Bear activity is common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage at all established camping areas.

Best Camping Sites Near Tahoe City, California (383)

    1. General Creek Campground — Sugar Pine Point State Park

    16 Reviews
    Tahoma, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 525-7982

    $35 - $475 / night

    "our visit was great. we had an event to go to the following day, so we needed to be able to shower. this campground was perfect. far enough below Tahoe City to be quiet, yet close enough to be able to"

    "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!"

    2. D.L. Bliss State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Tahoma, CA
    13 miles

    $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."

    3. Donner Memorial State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Truckee, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 582-7892

    $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."

    4. Granite Flat

    19 Reviews
    Truckee, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 587-3558

    $22 - $44 / night

    "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."

    "The campground is in a beautiful setting, easy to get to, and right off the Highway."

    5. William Kent Campground

    13 Reviews
    Tahoe City, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 583-3642

    $42 - $118 / night

    "thThis campground is nice and close to Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City. The campground hosts this summer were very helpful, with firewood for sale."

    "The sites were large considering the prime Tahoe location - we had plenty of space for our 9x8ft tent. "

    6. Fallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe

    35 Reviews
    South Lake Tahoe, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 544-0426

    $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."

    7. Meeks Bay

    16 Reviews
    Tahoma, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 525-4733

    $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."

    8. Eagle Point Campground — Emerald Bay State Park

    23 Reviews
    South Lake Tahoe, CA
    15 miles

    $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."

    9. Zephyr Cove Resort

    26 Reviews
    Zephyr Cove, NV
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (775) 589-4907

    $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."

    10. Village Camp Truckee

    12 Reviews
    Truckee, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 290-6210

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Tahoe City, CA

1370 Reviews of 383 Tahoe City Campgrounds


  • T
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Comstock Meadows RV Park & Mini Mart

    Fulltime residents only

    11/01/25
    I am not here to rate this park. Just need RVers to know it is for full time residents only. 
    Rating above is not accurate. 
    I called for an overnight stay and was told only fulltime residents and there is a waiting list.

  • John C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Scout Camp at Fort Churchill

    Large area, space for RV's and smaller vehicles.

    There is a few large, flat, hard-pack areas to park in and multiple dirt roads that lead off to smaller, more secluded sites. Many of the roads will require 4-wheel drive and high clearance but they are not too bad. Some of the area is free while other parts appear to require payment. Many travel trailers out here with huge set-ups and multiple vehicles.

  • Bull D.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Union Flat

    Union Flat Campground

    been there many times in the 90s, good gold panning results

  • John C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Dayton State Park Campground

    Meh.

    As everyone has noted, it is only about 30 feet from the highway...so that is what it is. For $15 for Nevada residents and $20 for non-residents, it's not anything special. It apparently is first come - first served, since there is no Ranger, no host, and the parks.nv.gov website never works properly.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Grouse Ridge Campground

    My Favorite Spot near Truckee

    This is as isolated as it gets. There are a number of pullouts and sites along the road up to Grouse Ridge CG - they're all excellent. Don't expect water or cell reception or toilets. In this area, you're on your own. If the road is muddy, you may not want to take the risk as the mud is slick and getting stuck out here is a true disaster. Even in June, there was still mud, and it even snowed on me which was a thrill to wake up to a white wonderland. Did I mention that you're on your own? Have fun.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Independence Hill Dispersed

    Super quiet, super remote

    If getting away is on your list, then Independance Hill is one place to go. 1 bar Verizon and a small creek (if you continue on up the road). It's really about 2 miles from the village of Iowa Hill, but it is remote. I scared two black bears as I was walking (don't I wish I had that on film...). And yes, that's his footprint on my van door - he was checking out the bag of garbage I had stored on my roof. No services, but there are at least 6 good sites, including a large flat area that can take any size RV. This is my second favorite spot in this area. I'll go again many times :-)

  • H
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Cottonwood Campground

    Quieter Camp with Nice Trail Adjacent

    A two loop campground in a beautiful area. I stayed here in October of 2024. Aside from the host and a forest crew, I was the only camper. It was quiet and lovely. I walked the adjacent trail in the morning, which was very pretty. The pit toilets are old style and smelly, but clean.

  • Michelle R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful boondocking

    Passing through the area, I was pleased to find this site. Large spaces and plenty of room for more than one vehicle per site.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Tahoe National Forest Boca Campground

    Water, front and tree shaded campsites

    Campsites, along the shores of the reservoir are small and close together. The other sites are larger and have more privacy. All of the sites have shade. Elevation is about 6000 feet. I camped here 9/17/25.


Guide to Tahoe City

Sugar Pine Point State Park sits at 6,229 feet elevation on the western shore of Lake Tahoe, offering 175 sites for camping within a historic landscape of old-growth forest. Winter campers can access year-round sites here while summer visitors enjoy hiking trails with direct access to both the lake and interpretive areas featuring the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion. Camp areas typically remain snow-free from late May through mid-October.

What to do

Hike the Rubicon Trail: From D.L. Bliss State Park Campground, access one of the most scenic trails in the Tahoe region. "Rubicon trail is absolutely stunning, and can be rather long since it goes into emerald bay. Nonetheless worth the hike," notes one camper who appreciated the views along this cliffside path.

Paddle clear waters: The pristine lakes surrounding Tahoe City offer excellent paddling opportunities. One visitor at Sugar Pine Point State Park mentioned, "We rented a kayak and paddled around to get a different view while the boys swam by the shore." Several access points allow for easy launching of personal watercraft.

Winter camping: Unlike many Tahoe area campgrounds that close seasonally, winter camping options exist. A camper reported, "Winter camping with RV. Easy to find in dark," at Sugar Pine Point State Park, which maintains plowed access roads and limited facilities during snow season.

Fishing access: Multiple campgrounds provide direct fishing access to rivers and lakes. At Granite Flat Campground, "Fishing is excellent from the banks of the river and this site is open from mid May - September," according to one review, noting the proximity to the Truckee River.

What campers like

Beach proximity: Eagle Point Campground receives high marks for its dedicated beach access. "Just a short walk to the private beach," mentioned one camper. Another noted, "Me and my friends went in the summer and the water was perfect!" The walk from campsites to beaches typically ranges from 5-15 minutes depending on your site location.

Cleanliness standards: Campground maintenance stands out in reviews. One camper at William Kent Campground stated it was "Very clean campground with very nice facilities." Trash removal, restroom upkeep, and campsite preparation between guests receive consistent attention from staff.

Bear management systems: All established campgrounds provide bear-resistant food storage. At Eagle Point Campground, "Park rangers are present and will ticket you if not compliant with placing items/trash in bear boxes, warnings given first though." These metal boxes accommodate standard coolers and food supplies for multiple-day stays.

Bike path connectivity: The paved trail system connecting lakeside communities serves as a major draw. A visitor to Sugar Pine Point State Park mentioned, "There's a great bike path that follows Lake Tahoe for at least 20 miles. Fun to ride along the lake and stop at Sunnyside for drinks or lunch."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Summer camping demands advance planning. "It is hard to get a site. Be ready. Set alerts," advises one Fallen Leaf Campground visitor. Most campgrounds open their reservation windows 6 months in advance, with weekend dates filling within minutes of release.

Site privacy varies significantly: Campground layout and vegetation determine privacy levels. At Meeks Bay Campground, reviews note that "sites are somewhat uneven" and "the spots are also kinda small and close together." Research site maps and request specific site numbers when making reservations.

Bear activity: The entire Tahoe region experiences regular bear activity. "We did have a bear come through our campsite and scared the crap out of us so make sure you put all food items & trash in the bear bin!" warned a Sugar Pine Point State Park camper. Rangers actively enforce proper food storage rules.

Traffic patterns: Summer congestion affects campground access. One camper at Meeks Bay Campground mentioned, "We came back the following year in August. But it was a complete disaster. It was a zoo. Parking was so tight." Plan arrivals and departures outside peak weekend travel times.

Tips for camping with families

Beach options: Donner Memorial State Park offers family-friendly water access. "Kids age 0-99 rule the day as there are boulders all around for to climb, a lake to swim in, trails to hike and paved loops for riding bikes," explains one reviewer. The smaller lake here often has calmer water than Lake Tahoe.

Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds feature interpretive programs. A visitor to Donner Memorial State Park noted, "Ranger programs. This is a really fun family campground suitable for tents or trailers/RVs." These programs typically run daily during peak summer season.

Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Eagle Point Campground, "Lower eagle bathrooms are so much nicer than the ones located in the upper eagle campground, which were dated and shared." Families with young children should research bathroom proximity when selecting sites.

Noise factors: Road noise impacts some campgrounds more than others. Granite Flat Campground sits directly beside Highway 89, with one camper noting, "The Highway is loud during the day, that's the only downfall from this beautiful spot." Sites further from roadways provide quieter experiences for light sleepers.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling: Many Tahoe campgrounds feature uneven terrain. A D.L. Bliss State Park visitor noted, "The sites are somewhat uneven, so you will need levelers if you are sleeping in a van or small RV." Bring multiple leveling blocks, especially for longer rigs.

Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide on-site dump stations. Sugar Pine Point State Park includes this service, but at William Kent Campground, RVers need to utilize regional dump stations at larger campgrounds or dedicated facilities in Truckee or South Lake Tahoe.

Site selection considerations: Village Camp Truckee receives positive reviews for RV accommodations but warns about specific sites. "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," noted one RVer. Request detailed site information when booking.

Winter RV options: Limited winter camping exists for properly equipped RVs. A Sugar Pine Point State Park visitor mentioned winter camping was "Easy to find in dark," but RVers should note that water systems are typically winterized, requiring self-contained operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Tahoe City, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Tahoe City, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 383 campgrounds and RV parks near Tahoe City, CA and 35 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Tahoe City, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Tahoe City, CA is General Creek Campground — Sugar Pine Point State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 16 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Tahoe City, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 35 free dispersed camping spots near Tahoe City, CA.

What parks are near Tahoe City, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Tahoe City, CA that allow camping, notably Martis Creek Lake and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.