John W.
Scout
ScoutGold Dust West RV Park
Great place stay
- Very nice clean rv park walk to casino, food restaurant excellent great service and low prices. Will definitely stay again
Tent Camping near Gardnerville, NV
65 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Tent campgrounds near Gardnerville, Nevada offer a mix of established sites and dispersed camping options across the eastern Sierra Nevada region. Luther Pass provides free tent camping with approximately 12 sites near the Big Meadow trailhead, featuring basic amenities like pit toilets, garbage service, fire rings and picnic tables. North Canyon Campground near Incline Village offers four primitive tent sites accessible by hiking or walking in, while Desolation Wilderness - Aloha Zone provides backcountry tent camping experiences for those seeking solitude.
Most tent sites in the Gardnerville area feature natural, ungraded surfaces with minimal site preparation. The Luther Pass tent campground includes centrally located pit toilets but no drinking water, requiring campers to either bring their own supply or filter from nearby streams. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with some areas implementing complete bans during high fire danger periods. The dispersed camping area at Reno View allows tent camping but prohibits campfires year-round. Bear activity is common throughout the region, and many established tent campgrounds provide bear-proof storage lockers. According to one visitor, "Luther Pass sites fill fast! No water, but pit toilet, garbage, fire rings and tables."
Areas farther from town typically offer deeper wilderness experiences ideal for tent camping. The terrain surrounding Gardnerville provides numerous creek-side tent sites, particularly at Luther Pass where campers report enjoying the peaceful sound of running water near their tents. Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park Spooner Backcountry offers walk-in tent camping amidst woodland settings, though permits are required. Tent campers accessing North Canyon Campground appreciate its year-round availability and proximity to hiking trails, particularly the Tahoe Rim Trail. One camper noted, "It's a decent campground in the middle of a section hike of the Tahoe Rim Trail. Has toilet facility but no running water. That's ok as there's a stream close to it you can filter from."
Best Tent Campgrounds near Gardnerville (65)
1. Luther Pass
"Great location to the TRT. Stayed here the night before getting on the TRT. Very quiet and plenty of sites open. Down side is all the used TP along the logs."
"About 12 sites near the Big meadow trailhead. they fill fast! no water, but pit toilet, garbage, fire rings and tables"
2. Markleeville Campground - Temporarily Closed
"It was perfect weather and we hiked to the town of Markleeville which is the cutest town ever! The camp host was super nice and a beautiful stream runs next to some spots. "
"Close to Markleeville and convenient to pop over to the town and pick up things from the general store. The campground is small and it’s more of a “passing through” spot."
from $18 / night
Check Availability3. Lovers Leap Campground
"Very clean vault toilets and drinking water. Safe and quiet with nice hosts. Popular with climbers and there’s a short trail that leads down to a river that’s very scenic. Good cell reception."
"The campsite we stayed in was a little bit of a walk in (could not drive to it) but it was beautiful with just a short walk to the crag. Natural and quiet, even though 50 is not far away!"
4. Olde LYFE Alpacas on Davis Ranch
"I parked behind a hay stack and next to a picnic table where I could set up my little kitchen. There was also a clean porta potty and hand washing station which was very convenient."
"Had the whole place to ourselves……and the roaming Alpacas of course 😁 Park anywhere you want in the designated circular driveway on flat grass and dirt. We walked along the creek and just relaxed."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability5. North Canyon Campground — Spooner Lake State Park
6. Desolation Wilderness - Aloha Zone
"You can hike in for 6 miles each way (12 miles round trip) via the Echo Lakes trail, or park and take the water taxi ($12) to cut off 2.5 miles of the hike each way."
"One of my top 5 favorite place to go backpacking. Love the feeling of being immersed in nature and the views of all the lakes. We took the water Taxi that shaved about 5 miles off our hike."
from $5 / night
Check Availability7. Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park Spooner Backcountry
8. Middle Creek & Expansion Campground - TEMP CLOSED FOR 2023 SEASON
"We stayed here just after the campground opened for the season, the upper campgrounds were still closed but lower blue lakes was open. We had the entire campground to ourselves."
"Large grass area that looked like it could be for camping, it was on top of the lake overlooking it. It was absolutely beautiful. Didnt see any campers but it didn’t say don’t camp here."
9. Reno View Dispersed
"I would not drive it with any vehicle other than SUV/Truck. DO NOT bring up an RV/Trailer. you’ll regret it. we stayed and car camped. an awesome view of the lights of Reno."
10. Donner Memorial State Park Campground
"Close to Truckee so you can easily get supplies. Lots of trees give a private feel even though it is a busy campground."
"We were in a large site and had pleasant neighbors. The restrooms were SUPER clean with flush toilets and hot showers. Short walk to Donner Lake and Donner Museum."
from $35 / night
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Drive Time
- 22 min from Carson City, NV
- 50 min from Reno, NV
- 2 hrs 9 min from Sacramento, CA
- 2 hrs 47 min from Yuba City, CA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Gardnerville, NV
19 Photos of 65 Gardnerville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
North Canyon Campground — Spooner Lake State Park
Luther Pass
Olde LYFE Alpacas on Davis Ranch
Lovers Leap CampgroundV
Desolation Wilderness - Aloha Zone
Bear Valley Dispersed Camping
Donner Memorial State Park Campground
Utica Campgrounds
Stanislaus River Campground
Mokelumne Campgrounda
Jenkinson Campground—Sly Park Recreation Area
Tent Camping Reviews near Gardnerville, NV
1174 Reviews of 65 Gardnerville Campgrounds
Leland H.ScoutLovers Leap Campground
Iconic for climbers. It's gotten expensive over the years though. $36 plus a $10 service fee on the reservation system. Used to be $18 7 years ago before Royal Elk started managing the campground
- PPaula S.
GuideWashoe Lake State Park Campground
Free hot showers and dump station. Drinking water covered tables, very clean and close to Carson City and Reno. Virginia City and Tahoe
- ddenise T.Scout
Peavine Road Dispersed Camping
Nice view of the Reno area. Desert parking 1.3 miles up a rocky dirt road on BLM land that was recently burned.
MarkGuideWashoe Lake State Park Campground
The park itself was nice but there were two major issues for us that caused us to leave early. The first was a rodent issue. We had mice coming in each night (a first for us in 8 years). The second was an issue with some other guests. The one night they were partying well past quiet hours with loud music. The next night they had a huge fight with yelling, cursing and finally someone driving off loudly in their truck, again after quiet hours. It was well worth the lose in money to move early to our next spot.
- LLaney S.Guide
Tahoe Valley Campground
No Fires
At the time I went they wouldn’t let us have a fire. It was also pretty empty. Bathrooms are very spread out and a trek. Wouldn’t recommend for tent camping!
- Harry L.Guide
Deadman Campground
Small but very nice
We were able to a site that backed up to the river. Small campground, very clean and quiet. Has toilets
- BBRIAN F.Guide
Reno KOA at Boomtown Casino
Boomtown KOA
This KOA should only be used as a last resort. Quick access off of I80 when traveling west. Very loud traffic noise. Cheapest sites are literally the size of a street parking spot with a crumbling picnic bench shoved in the back. I could not fit a 25 ft rig in between two other small trailers and upgraded to a deluxe site. Deluxe site would be a “normal” site at any other campground. 6-8 bathrooms available but only 2 are available 24 hours. One of which was out of service when we visited. If you have a dog very limited grass inside the park but you can walk out down a quiet street.
JoshcfiGuideFallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe
Nice place if you can get a reservation
Super popular spot. A little tight if you have a larger trailer or motorhome. Plenty of trees for shade.
Guide to Gardnerville
Tent camping near Gardnerville, Nevada ranges from high-elevation forest sites to dispersed desert camping, with most areas located between 5,000-8,000 feet. The eastern Sierra region experiences significant temperature swings, with summer daytime highs in the 80s dropping to the 40s at night. Camping season typically runs May through October, with many forest service sites closing during winter months due to snow.
What to do
Climb at Lovers Leap: Access rock climbing routes directly from Lovers Leap Campground, a premier climbing destination just 35 miles from Gardnerville. "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," notes Amanda P.
Explore alpine lakes: Backpacking into the Desolation Wilderness provides access to pristine mountain lakes. "We took the water Taxi that shaved about 5 miles off our hike. Our first night we set up camp at tamarack lake then moved up to beautiful aloha lake. The best part of this is that if you don't want to camp you can just go on a day hike," shares Arturo C.
Fish mountain streams: Many campsites sit near productive fishing waters. One camper at Markleeville Campground reported, "The creek is right behind the campground. Some good fishing in the deeper holes. Caught 5 small rainbows during our stay."
Visit working farms: For a unique camping experience, some sites offer agricultural settings. "Stacey, the owner of the alpacas ranch, was very welcoming and friendly! There were so many alpacas, all very cute and friendly! I parked behind a hay stack and next to a picnic table where I could set up my little kitchen," shares Lindsay B.
What campers like
Cold mountain creeks: Campers frequently mention the natural water features as highlights. At Luther Pass, one visitor shared, "There is a creek that flows from upper blue lake to lower blue lake and it is a nice walk to explore along the creek. Very beautiful and peaceful. We saw two deer from our site."
Accessibility to trails: Proximity to hiking networks draws many tent campers. "Great location to the TRT. Stayed here the night before getting on the TRT. Very quiet and plenty of sites open," notes Ann W. about Luther Pass. The Tahoe Rim Trail connects many camping areas around Gardnerville.
Stargazing opportunities: The rural setting provides excellent night sky viewing. At Reno View Dispersed, campers appreciate the elevation and distance from city lights. "We stayed and car camped. An awesome view of the lights of Reno. Can be very windy but if you get between some of the trees it's not to bad," reports Tyler C.
Wildlife encounters: Many tent sites offer chances to see native animals. "We saw two deer from our site. There are several sites right along the creek," reports a camper at Middle Creek Campground. Bear activity requires proper food storage at most sites.
What you should know
Fire restrictions vary: Regulations change seasonally and by location. At Reno View Dispersed camping area, fires are prohibited year-round. Another camper 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."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Gardnerville, NV?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gardnerville, NV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gardnerville, NV is Luther Pass with a 4.7-star rating from 7 reviews.
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tent camping near
Gardnerville, NV?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Gardnerville, NV?
TheDyrt.com has all 65 tent camping locations near Gardnerville, NV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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