Best Glamping near Sun Valley, NV

Great campsite with trails to hike and explore.  Close to Lake Tahoe and also the Taylor Creek Watershed that has a beautiful trail to explore.  Done both tent and yurt camping, both great!

We got a last minute cancelled site at the Fallen Leaf Campground, and thought we’d truly lucked out. We stayed at site 87 which is nestled among towering native pine trees on the South end of the campground and one of the few sites which doesn’t have neighbors on all sides. The sites have the standard standing BBQ's and fire rings at all sites (but we couldn’t utilize them because of the fire ban), old picnic tables and various amounts of space for RV’s/cars and the tried and true bear box. In this campground you NEED to utilize the bear boxes. They have signs everywhere about the mass amount of bear activity and how there is a mother and her 2 cubs which have been terrorizing the campground for some time this season (2018). Again, you need to keep everything (food, toiletries, etc.) in the bear box at all times. The sites are reservable, and on top of the $35 (nonelectric) per site there is a $7 fee for a second vehicle, Yurts go for $86 which do have power and a nonrefundable $10 service fee…. While the campground allows dogs, they aren’t allowed in the Yurts.

There’s lots of bear proof dumpsters around the campground, lots of potable water in strategic spots and a number of decent restrooms, and it was nice that at some of them they provided hot (pay) showers (at $1 per 3 minutes) and while the ADA has some control the standard one has no control over the heat or pressure its simply on or off. Also, the restrooms have no soap, paper towels, or hand dryers, etc. Which was a little disappointing for the cost.

My biggest disappointment in the setup of the campground has to do with the bears and cleaning your dishes. There is no dish-washing area in the entire ~200 site, ~14 bathroom campground. They specifically ask that you don’t wash your dishes in the sinks or at the water spigots as they don’t want any food particles going down the drains. So, when I asked about disposing of the dish water they said to just toss it at the base of a tree, as it’s dry and the trees would appreciate it. This doesn’t help keep the bears away… While we scrapped and collected every bit of food waste we could and tossed it into the dumpsters, ff you’re just tossing food scrap-soaked water at the base of the trees the bears are going to come for the smell… I’ve stayed at other sites in bear country which have setups for disposing of the waste water and food scraps to detract bears and Fallen Leaf definitely is lacking and this is possibly part of the reason they’re having such an issue with bears.

While, our site (87) would probably normally be a great location with the Fallen Leaf Lake being the only thing behind you and no neighbors on at least 2 of your sides, we happened to somehow book the same weekend that a corporate event was taking over the vast majority of the campground with almost 200 people….

While, not entirely the campgrounds fault it was a little disruptive to have this mass number of people come directly next to us in site 88 for their meals as they’d decided to make that site the meal prep site for breakfast (they started prep at 5:30 am) and dinner (we actually had to ask the drunk group to stop screaming at midnight) these were both well outside the “quiet hours” and definitely surpassed the “6 people per site” rule.

Otherwise this campground is in a great location to see the area as it’s only approximately one-quarter mile north of Fallen Leaf Lake. The trail from the campground was only 3 sites over from us. The Taylor Creek Visitor Center is directly across Highway 89 and is a great location to talk to the Rangers about other potential hikes in the area. They also have interpretive programs, guided walks on the Rainbow Trail and to the Stream Profile Chamber (which was closed because someone decided to break it. Although it should be repaired now… end of September 2018). Also, nearby Baldwin Beaches or Pope Beach, which cost $10, or you can go to the Tallac Historic Site with tours and events at its historic buildings and grounds and the free (dog friendly) Kiva beach which is exactly the same as the other pay access beaches….

There’s also a really nice paved bike trail that runs 3 miles along Highway 89 and can be used to access all of the above. You have access to excellent day hiking and backpacking in Desolation Wilderness via the Glen Alpine or Mt. Tallac trailheads which are also nearby.

This campground was one of the nicest I've come across. It's right on the California-nevada state line near Lake Tahoe. In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful places in the US. A lot of the campsites have a view of the lake. They have sites for tents and RVs. The bathrooms are nice and there's fresh drinking water. There are some public grills to use. Really nice amenities at this place.

I personally just love lake Tahoe. Amazing hiking around the lake. Mount Tallac is a killer but gorgeous hike. Go stand on the line between Nevada and California like I did! In the winter this place is awesome too, because the ski resort has some great runs.

Campground 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. We camped the first weekend the campground opened. Things were still a bit wet (standing water that we had to use a board to cross to get to the bathrooms) but the beautiful weather and quiet campground made up for it. I wish it opened earlier in the season before Tahoe becomes packed. It was easy to just stay at the camp and avoid the crowds. No showers.

Booked a tent site. The campground was completely full. My fire ring was at the bumper of my vehicle, the picnic table was basically in someone else’s campsite, and I had to walk up a flight of stairs where the tent site was supposed to be. The site on one side of me looked down on top of me from 10 feet away, the RV site next to me was crammed on top of me as well. Their front porch was basically staring right at my site, like I would be there entertainment for the night.

I had planned to camp out of the back of my truck for a quick overnight stay. Lots of better options around.

It is nice that it is walking distance from Zephyr Cove. But Zephyr Cove was packed. Nevada beach was only a four minute drive away and much more spacious and relaxing.

$67, plus taxes and fees, for no services and being packed in like sardines, no thanks.

If the first place you think of when you hear “the Sierra Nevada mountains” is Tahoe or Yosemite, I would strongly encourage you to explore points north of Truckee/Tahoe in the Plumas National Forest. And, a great place to stay while exploring the area is Little Bear RV park. This clean, quiet, and very family friendly campground offers a mixture of full and partial hookup sites, plus cabins. It’s right on the Feather river, with a refreshing swimming hole walking distance from the campground. Plumas Eureka state park offers a number of hikes that even little ones can manage. It also has great picnic areas on the creeks that run through the park. Within a 30 minute drive are a number of gorgeous alpine lakes. Gold Lake is especially beautiful and peaceful. I spent 5 nights here and while I love the more “famous” Sierra attractions, I have to say: I didn’t miss the crowds. Plumas is what Tahoe was like in the 1950’s. Highly recommended.

Fallen Leaf Campground • South Lake Tahoe

$34.50 - 36.50 • Sites 078, 156

Pulling into Tahoe via Stateline, Nevada is like pulling into a Las Vegas/Up North baby. Casinos and resorts turn into camps and fudge shops. 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. If you’re going to camp in Tahoe you’ve made the right decision. 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.

Fallen Leaf Campground is a massive 206+ site compound complete with its own store, shower houses and if you travel past the camp all the way to the other side of the lake (and other campgrounds) an ice cream shop. That said, Fallen Leaf Campground does a great job of keeping an “out in the woods” vibe. It is absolutely that place that families go year after year after year, but if you can get a site on the outer loop you can still have some separation, plenty of trees and with the lake so close, feel like you’re in the heart of nature. One of the better jobs by a large scale campground I’ve experienced.

But be prepared. It’s going to be full of kids and dogs and campers who are not necessarily out there to experience nature but to see family and friends and likely drink a caseload of Bud Light a day. There may also be bears. Bears are everywhere here. Or so we heard. We never saw one, but the camp staff and campers around us all had bear stories that "just happened yesterday! or last week! or in 1950!" Basically, bears. There are bear boxes at each site, and kids everywhere you probably won't be a bears first target. Just be bear aware. Across the main road from the campground is the mighty Lake Tahoe. It was okay. Lots of people, lots of choppy waves. We preferred setting up the hammock by Fallen Leaf Lake.

The showers were nice but pricey. Four U.S. Quarters for 3 minutes. You can get done what you want but no more. There are about four per loop (give or take 25 sites) but we never had a problem finding one open. There are no outlets for charging or bathroom appliances though. The older bathrooms along the inner loop are dated and worn but have accessible outlets if you need some juice. The toilets everywhere are flush and each loop has at least one camp host staying on it. The staffers were friendly, helpful and accessible.

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. On our second night we stayed in the inner loop and our neighbors had booked 19 sites for incoming family and friends. It’s tough being in the middle of that when you weren’t planning on joining a new family. The outer loop sites are mostly well shaded and have a lot more privacy, as well as lake accessibility if you are in the back row which I’d recommend. At $34.50 you want the best spots. It also forced me to ask myself, “How much is too much for a campsite?”

Fallen Leaf Lake Campground gets 3 Tent Stakes of Awesomeness. In Tahoe, you’ll never escape the crowds or tourists, but Fallen Leaf Lake Campground does a good job of insulating you somewhat from that while maintaining a nice campground on the edge of a lovely lake. No blasphemy intended but I’d spend the day at Fallen Leaf Lake over Lake Tahoe any day.

Pro-Tip #1: 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.

Pro-Tip #2: Site 156 sucks. Unless you want to look at stars. No shade or privacy. A long way from any shower/bath house and electric wires running above you.

_Pro-Tip #3: Firewood is readily available downed by the lake or on trails if you’re willing to put in five minutes of effort. _

Pro-Tip #4: The Baldwin ruins aren’t worth it, but the walk around the lake or along the Morraine Trail is.

Pro-Tip #5: There is a decent wind that starts early to mid-afternoon coming in against the shore over the lake. It is blocked to the camp, but mornings are the best time for lake time. Mornings are glassy on the lake for paddle boarding and kayaking as well, but choppier in the afternoon.

We arrived early after a long drive. They immediately checked us in, gave us resort keys that allow access to the whole of the resort property. My kids loved the pool. The RV section when we first arrived was a large parking lot. No trees. No grass aside from the immediate vicinity of office. The Bathrooms were clean (the furthest were being renovated). Laundry room was clean. By the time dinner time arrived, the entire lot was full of RVs and families which made the parking lot seem more welcoming. We enjoyed every minute. The RV Office closes at 5pm and many of those who arrived after 5 were camped out in the parking lot.

Huge disappointment! We were so excited, passing through Reno, we got a “standard” site, so we could get a nice steak at the Charlie Palmer Steakhouse, drop some money at the blackjack tables and get a good night sleep in our trailer.

Instead we arrived at 6:10, so the office was closed. There were tons of “premium” sites that we were told were not available. To access the bathroom/showers we needed a key, so we got to drive to the casino and wait in line for 30 minutes.

The site is not very well maintained and the bathrooms were clean by the premium sites, but not as much in ghetto end of the park.

By the time, all was said and done, we were tired and irritated so we stayed in the trailer and made our own dinner. $65 for for a weed infested parking lot with electric and seweris too much. Maybe OK if you REALLY want to gamble.

Dirty side of the property. Lots of questionable people and questionable activity. Wasn’t real impressed for the cost,

We arrived after dark and it took a bit to find the right site as the numbers don’t stand out well and there are several hundred sites. We checked in at the front desk after office hours and the person who helped us was highly pleasant, however directiobs were limited. There is a sign pointing to the RV lot on the periphery of the parking lot. We appreciated the designated dog area filled with sandy gravel. The park itself is not anything special to look at. There isn’t much privacy or vegetation to speak of. It is a bit of a walk to get to the resort. We walked to the pool entrance which appeared to be the closest public access point from the park.

Great staff and wonderful atmosphere. The prices are reasonable but you do have to pay a 19 dollar resort fee bummer!!!! Other then that we've had peace and quiet. Not a lot to look at within the

park but the rivers right there and the mountains are beautiful to look at. Great place so far! They have a laundry room also which is awesome. Showers and restrooms.... enjoy!!!!

Newer showers and bathrooms than any other rv park in Reno. Very little foliage but that is the desert. Large and expensive laundry facility $4.50 for a load. Paid $59 for a back-in 30 amp site full service. Lots to do in the hotel other than gamble and as a camper you can use the hotel amenities - curling, pool, hot tubs, etc. We had fun in the Escape Room and Sensology games. Great views of the mtn range.

It's ok, if you're into the casino activities and other hotel activities.

The spots have almost zero shade and most have no grass. The bathrooms/showers close from midnight to 6 am. But, they have a bowling alley, swimming pool, casino, escape rooms, movie theater, arcade, fitness center, Starbucks, more than 5 restaurants, and it goes on. I recommend staying if you want to gamble, eat, drink, and have stuff for the kids to do. You really never need to leave.

You know what im talking about. Nothing better than mingling before and post burn. It's not pretty where you park, but it's a place to park with access to resort amenities. Worth it if you already have a place to lay your head, or....

Not even worth stopping for the night! Head to boomtown

Camped one night here during the week and only had one other group there. One of those campgrounds where getting the right spot can make a big difference. I got #8 and I recommend it - it is the one in the corner closest to the river, so you have some privacy and easy river access.

Some of the other sites are pretty cramped and I could see this campground being a bit claustrophobic if it was fully, hence the four stars. But that said, for what it is, I appreciated it. Super easy access too, and only about 15 minutes from Truckee.

No cell reception on Verizon.