The Kit Carson area sits at the intersection of alpine and high desert environments, with elevations ranging from 6,500 to 8,000 feet throughout nearby camping areas. Temperature swings between day and night can exceed 40 degrees even in summer months, requiring campers to prepare for both hot days and near-freezing nights. Several camping spots near Kit Carson offer direct access to both the Carson River watershed and the Tahoe Rim Trail system.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Visit Grover Hot Springs State Park, approximately 20 miles from Kit Carson, where hiking trails lead to scenic spots. "There's a 5.2 mile hike down to the Freeman Creek Giant Sequoia Grove. The bathrooms are not maintained outside of the season and watch out for black widows in the corners of the bathrooms," notes one visitor to Grover Hot Springs State Park Campground.
Swimming in natural pools: Explore natural swimming areas along creeks and rivers. A camper at Silver Lake West mentions: "This campground is a gem. With great sites, some close to the creek, friendly camp hosts, and an abundance of nearby activities, this is a must. Just next to the Potholes, hike down and spend the day in the pools carved out over the millennium by the waters."
Climbing opportunities: Rock climbing enthusiasts can visit areas near Strawberry, approximately 15 miles from Kit Carson. "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," shares a camper at Lovers Leap.
What campers like
Natural hot springs: Soak in mineral waters at Grover Hot Springs, where entry fees apply. According to one visitor: "I have stayed at this campground in summer and winter and found it very pleasant both seasons. Very clean. Lots of space between sites, although not a lot of privacy. The hot springs can get very busy with over an hour wait to get in. Going at night has worked well for me to avoid the line."
Access to alpine lakes: Enjoy fishing, paddling, and shoreline activities at nearby lakes. A visitor to Eagle Point Campground explains: "My friend and I took down our inflatable kayaks and paddled to the Island. It was a huge plus that added to our trip and loving this campground."
Wildlife viewing: Observe native wildlife including black bears, which frequent many campgrounds in the region. One camper at Luther Pass notes: "Great location to the TRT. Stayed here the night before getting on the TRT. Very quiet and plenty of sites open... Definitely will come back to this campground. The creek is nice."
What you should know
Bear activity: Proper food storage is mandatory at all campgrounds in the area. At Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping, a visitor advises: "Dispersed camping not far from Lake Tahoe. Easy to drive into just be careful of potholes and large puddles from rain, even in summer. No amenities, but it's a very beautiful area. There are herds of cows that will make their way through the area, please be respectful of them!"
Seasonal crowds: Reservations become essential during peak summer months, especially for established campgrounds. One camper notes: "Book far in advance to get a spot in summer" regarding Fallen Leaf Campground.
Weather variability: Be prepared for rapid weather changes, including summer snow at higher elevations. A visitor to Iron Mountain Dispersed camping shares: "The site was covered in snow, and there was a sign saying no camping in snow clearing conditions. Additionally you aren't allowed in without a Sno-park permit from November 1st to May 31st."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible swimming: Choose campgrounds with gentle water access for younger children. A visitor to Tahoe Valley Campground comments: "We loved the bike paths all though out the area. Rode in to south Tahoe and had a great experience."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger programs and nature walks during summer months. At Grover Hot Springs, a camper shares: "There are yurts and information stations about the fields and local flora and fauna! The rangers are incredibly helpful and sweet!"
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with open meadows and safe hiking trails. "My family camps here every Labor Day weekend and has for 25+ years. This is a fun area with some cool hikes and a short walk to the hot springs pools. There is also a creek we take the little ones to catch crawdads in," notes a regular visitor to Grover Hot Springs.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many campgrounds have limited spaces for larger RVs. "We are new to dispersed camping and have a 40 ft 5th wheel as well as a GMC Denali 350 dually. We need a large space to fit into. We arrived on a Monday at noon and found that the large area about 1/4 mile in was not at all crowded. We had our choice of several places to set up," reports an RVer at Iron MT. Dispersed.
Road conditions: Forest service roads can present challenges for larger rigs. One RVer warns: "Holy Christ for the love of god take away the rv tag. There isn't a single spot for an rv, I tried it with my 19' single axle unit and nearly ripped the spare tire off the back the road was so steep" regarding Luther Pass.
Generator restrictions: Check campground policies regarding generator use. At Tahoe Valley Campground, a camper noted: "Great campground. Nice location. Only complaint would be generators running most of the day from all the RV's. Other then that it's a great family friendly site."
