Best Campgrounds near Tahoma, CA

The west shore of Lake Tahoe near Tahoma, California features several developed campgrounds including General Creek Campground at Sugar Pine Point State Park and Meeks Bay. Camping options range from forested tent sites to lakefront RV spots and cabin rentals. Established campgrounds in the area typically provide fire rings, picnic tables, and bear boxes, with many sites offering easy access to Lake Tahoe's pristine beaches. Nearby natural attractions include D.L. Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay State Park, both within a short drive of Tahoma.

Most campgrounds in the Tahoma area operate seasonally, with peak season running from May through October. "We had the opportunity to stay in this campground when it was nearly empty. I originally made reservations in June and the state park canceled them due to high snow year and the campground wouldn't be ready," noted one camper about Sugar Pine Point. Winter conditions can limit accessibility, though some campgrounds like Sugar Pine Point remain partially open during winter months with reduced services. Bears are active throughout the region, requiring proper food storage in provided bear boxes. Bathroom facilities vary by location, with some campgrounds offering coin-operated showers while others provide basic vault toilets. Cell service is generally available in developed areas but may be spotty in more remote locations.

Proximity to Lake Tahoe remains the primary draw for many campers visiting the Tahoma area. Campers frequently highlight the region's scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. According to one visitor, "Wonderful campground. Lots of space and privacy between campsites. Close to Lake Tahoe. About 1 mile walk to the beach." Many campgrounds provide access to hiking trails and paved bike paths along the lakeshore. Mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles from basic tent camping to RV sites with hookups. Family-friendly amenities include beaches, boat ramps, and picnic areas, though some camping areas can become crowded during summer weekends and holidays. The surrounding Sugar Pine forests offer shade and distinctive fragrance that enhances the camping experience, with hiking trails connecting many of the camping areas to lakefront day-use facilities.

Best Camping Sites Near Tahoma, California (385)

    1. Fallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe

    35 Reviews
    South Lake Tahoe, CA
    11 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."

    2. D.L. Bliss State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Tahoma, CA
    6 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. Eagle Point Campground — Emerald Bay State Park

    23 Reviews
    South Lake Tahoe, CA
    8 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."

    4. General Creek Campground — Sugar Pine Point State Park

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

    $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."

    5. Meeks Bay

    16 Reviews
    Tahoma, CA
    2 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."

    6. Tahoe Valley Campground

    29 Reviews
    South Lake Tahoe, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    7. Zephyr Cove Resort

    26 Reviews
    Zephyr Cove, NV
    11 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."

    8. RV Village Campground At Camp Richardson Resort — Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

    19 Reviews
    South Lake Tahoe, CA
    11 miles
    +1 (800) 544-1801

    $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."

    9. William Kent Campground

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

    $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."

    10. Loon Lake

    16 Reviews
    Tahoma, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 293-0827

    $30 - $160 / night

    "Just returned from a weekend getaway to Loon Lake. We (2 people, 1 pup) stayed two nights at site #25 at Loon Lake Campground. Perfect location for daytime fishing and nighttime stargazing."

    "These two sites are right on the road next to the toilets and trash bins. Some smells and lots of noises and foot traffic, some 4x4 traffic as well."

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Recent Reviews near Tahoma, CA

1378 Reviews of 385 Tahoma Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • Shir S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    El Dorado

    Great place before lake tahoe

    We drove from redwood to Lake Tahoe and wanted a place to stay since it got late Good place Online booking and entrance if after hours and affordable price opposed to other sites in the area

  • Levi K.
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Campground by the Lake

    Not all reservations

    This is a great spot. We were out there the whole weekend and enjoyed the campground and lo9k forward to going back. There are first come first serve spaces available and that worked out great. The campground was not packed or to noisy over the weekend. We look forward to going back

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Tahoe Dispersed Camping

    Great New Spot

    The turn off to the dirt road was 300 ft past where the app said it was. Once we got deeper into the forest my gps wasn’t on the the route depicted on Dyrt, but it’s a fun trail. We went in about a mile in our RAM Promaster converted van then turned around and took a big flat spot closer to the road.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Washoe Lake State Park Campground

    Quiet but close to everything

    Stayed here overnight. Could easily stay here for a few days and see all the fun things around Reno, Carson City and Virginia City. Great camp hosts, clean showers, flush toilets, garbage and dump available.


Guide to Tahoma

Camping near Tahoma, 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.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Many campers appreciate the roomy sites that provide a sense of privacy. A visitor at Fallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe shared, "Camping spots are spaced out enough that you are not right on top of your neighbor."
  • Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and showers are a big plus. A reviewer at Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area stated, "This is a very clean and well-maintained State campground."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Tahoe Valley Campground are great for families. One camper noted, "This is a great spot if you have kids. Lots of stuff to do just at the resort."

What you should know:

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure your chosen campground has the right hookups for your RV. A visitor at Beals Point Campground — Folsom Lake State Recreation Area mentioned, "Full hookups, but unfortunately low water pressure."
  • Arrive Early: Popular spots can fill up quickly, so get there early. A camper at Sparks Marina RV Park shared, "The girl was super friendly... within ten minutes we were in our pull-through spot!"
  • Be Prepared for Dust: Some campgrounds have dirt sites, so be ready for a bit of dust. A reviewer at Tahoe Valley Campground noted, "My biggest issue with this campground is the dirt. It’s this ash dirt that gets everywhere."

Camping near Tahoma, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Tahoma, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Tahoma, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 385 campgrounds and RV parks near Tahoma, CA and 33 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Tahoma, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Tahoma, CA is Fallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe with a 4.5-star rating from 35 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Tahoma, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 free dispersed camping spots near Tahoma, CA.

What parks are near Tahoma, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 parks near Tahoma, CA that allow camping, notably Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and Martis Creek Lake.