RV camping near Tahoma, California offers access to high-elevation recreation at 6,250 feet in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer days reach the mid-70s with cool nights in the 40s. Campsites throughout the region experience seasonal closures with most campgrounds operating from late May through mid-September.
What to do
Fishing access: French Meadows Campground provides direct lake access for anglers. "Great trout fishing. Bear country be advised. Extreme fire danger the summer months and closed due to snow in winter," notes a visitor to French Meadows.
Hiking trails: The Granite Chief Wilderness area offers challenging terrain within a short drive of campsites. "We did an 11-mile hike in Granite Chief Wilderness which is accessible about 5 miles up a gravel road from the campground," reports a camper at Lewis Campground.
Swimming spots: Natural swimming holes provide relief during summer months. One Lewis Campground visitor found "a deep still spot perfect for swimming and soaking our tired feet. That was a highlight of our weekend trip."
Winter recreation: Snow activities continue through spring at higher elevations. Visitors staying at Carson City report, "With our binoculars we could see skiers at the top of Heavenly Mountain ski area!" during early April visits.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many RV parks have installed landscaping features between camping spots. A visitor to Silver City RV Resort observed, "Spaces are wide and recent upgrades will have nice vine covered privacy fences between each site."
Lakefront proximity: Campers value sites with water access for recreation. A guest at RV Village Campground at Camp Richardson Resort appreciates the "close walk down to the Lake and the Beacon restaurant where you can have world famous RumRunner."
Organized activities: Some campgrounds provide scheduled events for guests. One camper at Tahoe Valley Campground noted, "They put on a ton of events like karaoke nights, live music, and smores nights."
Pool facilities: During summer months, campground pools provide recreation options. "The campground was well maintained... Nice grassy dog parks, clean bathrooms and laundry, and well-stocked store with propane refill. Pool and fishing pond were closed but looked great."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to high-elevation sites requires navigating challenging mountain roads. "The road is long and windy and dangerous if you are not creeping around the corners. 1.5 hours from Auburn," warns a camper at French Meadows.
Campsite terrain: Some sites have uneven ground that affects tent camping comfort. A visitor cautioned, "Two thirds of the campsites were on a slope with no where to setup a tent on level ground."
Reservation policies: Campgrounds may have age restrictions for RVs or specific reservation requirements. One camper at Sparks Marina RV Park reported, "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."
Bear safety: Food storage requirements are strictly enforced throughout the region. "Our site was by the lake, while it was a beautiful site the wind that day was hitting us like a train which made setting up a bit difficult."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated recreational facilities for children. A Tahoe Valley visitor observed, "Super busy campground with kids running around and riding bikes."
Site selection: Certain campgrounds provide better family setups than others. One camping family at Coyote Group Campground reported, "Large group camp site with lots of flat places to pitch a tent. Clean pit toilets. 3x Bear food and 4x trash/recycling bins. 2 (or 3?) water spigots. 4 big picnic tables."
Noise considerations: Family campgrounds can be lively, affecting quiet hours. A Tahoe Valley camper noted, "Nicely kept campground but no night enforcement for quiet hours. Had several rowdy groups keeping us up til 2am."
Safety infrastructure: Well-maintained campgrounds provide reliable facilities for families. One camper stated, "One of the largest and nicest campground for RVers and Tent campers combined. Helpful staff, and park rangers on site."
Tips from RVers
Winter camping preparation: Cold weather camping requires special considerations for RV systems. "We weren't able to connect to water because of freezing temperatures," reported a winter camper at Tahoe Valley Campground.
Site dimensions: RV campsites vary significantly in size and accessibility. A visitor to Carson RV Resort appreciated that "it is more spacious than typical RV parks."
Hookup locations: Some campgrounds have unusual utility placement. "Our pad was paved, but pretty skinny. Our fold out stairs did not reach the ground due to the small drop off from the pavement," noted an RVer.
Parking assistance: Staff at higher-end RV resorts often provide arrival support. "Staff meets you at the front, guides you to your site and helps you pull in. Staff also pointed out all the relevant features."
