Lake Tahoe area campgrounds offer diverse camping options within the Sierra Nevada range at approximately 6,200 feet elevation. Winter camping remains available at select sites where temperatures can drop below freezing between November and April. Seasonal closures affect many campgrounds, with most opening from May through October.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Fallen Leaf Campground provides direct trail connections for various hiking experiences. "Great hiking. Chill vibes. I can't recommend this spot enough. Compared to the parking lot style campgrounds or resorts throughout Tahoe-region, this is really camping," notes Ryan W. of Fallen Leaf Campground.
Rock climbing adventures: Lovers Leap attracts climbing enthusiasts with its distinctive geological features. "The cliffs at Lovers Leap are spectacular, and this valley is beautiful. The town of Strawberry has a friendly general store. This is a destination for climbing, and there is also hiking along the old Pony Express trail," explains Amanda P. of Lovers Leap Campground.
Water activities: Early morning offers optimal lake conditions at Nevada Beach. "You can walk or ride a bike across the street to Lake Tahoe, but you are separated from the chaos of the lake, and a bit more insulated from the storms," says one Fallen Leaf visitor. "Mornings are glassy on the lake for paddle boarding and kayaking as well, but choppier in the afternoon."
What campers like
Bear boxes for safety: Proper food storage remains essential throughout the Tahoe region. "Sites have bear boxes and even though they are very close to each other with little separation, they are big sites with lots of tall trees," notes a visitor to Fallen Leaf Campground. "You really need to pay attention to your food. Bears are not just possible here, they are likely."
Beach access variations: Each lakefront campground offers different water experiences. "The beach features are right on Nevada Beach shore of Lake Tahoe. Very quiet where we were with little to no traffic noise. We were right near Dog Beach where your pooch can play on the beach unleashed," explains Kerry V. of Nevada Beach Campground.
Off-season benefits: Camping during shoulder seasons provides unique advantages. "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. It was the weekend after Thanksgiving and snowing so there were a handful of people at the campground and the entire place was very quiet."
What you should know
Reservation challenges: Securing sites requires advance planning, especially for summer visits. "It is hard to get a site. Be ready. Set alerts," advises a Fallen Leaf camper. "Traffic getting in and out can be a bit of a pain in the busy season."
Weather preparedness: Conditions change rapidly year-round, even during summer months. "Even in the summer it can snow...BE WEATHER AWARE," cautions a Fallen Leaf visitor. "Just be bear aware. Across the main road from the campground is the mighty Lake Tahoe."
Site spacing: Proximity to other campers varies significantly between campgrounds. "This is a really nice looking campground. I was lucky it wasn't too crowed and the people staying were all respectful," notes Jesse H. about Fallen Leaf Campground. Comparatively, at Meeks Bay, "it was a complete disaster. It was a zoo. Parking was so tight. Campers overlapping on each other's site."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly areas: Pet restrictions apply at many beaches. "There is a smaller dog-friendly area of the beach, so if you're bringing your pup(s), your beach access will be limited to that area only," explains Carolyn P. of Nevada Beach Campground.
Site selection strategy: Research specific sites within larger campgrounds. "The outer loop is where you want to be if you are looking for any privacy or traveling alone. The inner loop, with its lack of privacy, was the spot for large groups," advises Ryan W. regarding Fallen Leaf. "Site 078-079 are massive pull-thru sites but great if you're tent camping. More private, well shaded and closest to the lake and free downed firewood."
Avoiding crowds: Many glamping close to Tahoma, California experiences offer quiet alternatives to busier beaches. "Fallen Leaf Lake is at the rear of the camp. While smaller and not as well known it is also not overly trafficked, crystal clear and surrounded by hiking paths along the water," writes a reviewer. "We preferred setting up the hammock by Fallen Leaf Lake."
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Many campgrounds have tight restrictions on vehicle dimensions. "We have a 25 ft travel trailer and with my husband's truck it was definitely a tight squeeze. Plus our pad was really not very flat so leveling the trailer was tough," notes Stacie L. of William Kent Campground. "The sites are definitely close together and the pads are tight."
Generator considerations: Noise pollution affects the camping experience. "Great campground. Nice location. Only complaint would be generators running most of the day from all the RV's," cautions Timothy A. about Fallen Leaf. "Other then that it's a great family friendly site."
Year-round accessibility: Luxury camping facilities remain operational through winter. At Tahoe Valley Campground, "we ended up camping in a truck camper after being caught in a snow storm. It was the weekend after Thanksgiving and snowing so there were a handful of people at the campground and the entire place was very quiet. The RV sites have hookups and there are many amenities available."
