South Lake Tahoe Camping

El Dorado County

South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, California
South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, California

South Lake Tahoe Camping

El Dorado County, California
Douglas County, Nevada


South Lake Tahoe Camping

At South Lake Tahoe campers can choose from a great mixture of state parks, National Forest campgrounds, municipal campgrounds, and private campgrounds.

Sugar Pine Point, Emerald Bay, and D. L. Bliss state parks are situated right on the lake and close to many attractions. Both offer reservations, which at Lake Tahoe is the smartest way to plan your camping trip.

Several National Forest campgrounds are found along the lake and at nearby Fallen Leaf Lake. Others are along the Truckee River a short distance north of Lake Tahoe.

Beaches and Picnic Sites

A string of more than a dozen public beaches and picnic sites ring South Lake Tahoe, starting from Bliss State Park and carrying around to Nevada's Zephyr Cove. Most charge an admission fee.

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Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

Location: West shore of Lake Tahoe, 17 miles north of South Lake Tahoe
Campground Facilities: WiFi, Nature Center, Gift Shop, Flush Toilets, Piped Water, Showers, 123 Family Campsites
Campsite Amenities: Bear Boxes, Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Online Reservations at ReserveCalifornia:
Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park Campground Reservations
Fees: Drive-in Sites $35 per night, Group Site $165
Nearby Attractions: Hellman-Ehrman Mansion available for tours and special events, Dolder Nature Trail, Sugar Pine Point Day Use Area

D. L. Bliss State Park

Location: West shore of Lake Tahoe, 4 miles north of Emerald Bay
Campground Facilities: Flush Toilets, Piped Water, Showers, 268 Family Campsites, Trailers to 15', RVs to 18'
Group Campsite: Accommodates 50 People and 10 Vehicles
Campsite Amenities: Bear Boxes, Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Online Reservations at ReserveCalifornia:
D. L. Bliss State Park Campground Reservations
Fees: Drive-in Sites $35 per night, Group Site $165, Hike and Bike $7, Lakefront Sites $45
Nearby Attractions: Balancing Rock Nature Trail, Emerald Bay, Swimming Beach

Emerald Bay State Park

Location: West shore of Lake Tahoe at Eagle Point, Emerald Bay
Campground Facilities: Flush Toilets, Piped Water, Showers, 100 Family Campsites, Trailers to 18', RVs to 21'
Boat-In Campsites: 20 Primitive Sites
Campsite Amenities: Bear Box, Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Online Reservations at ReserveCalifornia:
Emerald Bay State Park Campground Reservations
Fees: Drive-in and Boat-In Sites $35 per night
Nearby Attractions: Emerald Bay, Vikingsholm, Underwater Park

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Meeks Bay Campground

Notice: "Meeks Bay Campground is now a part of the Meeks Bay Resort. Please use the Meeks Bay Resort page to view sites and make reservations. In order to provide for a more rustic family experience, RVs and pets are not permitted."

Location: West shore of Lake Tahoe, 8 miles north of Emerald Bay, between Sugar Pine Point and D. L. Bliss State Parks.
Campground Facilities: Flush Toilets, Piped Water, Close to Beach, RVs to 20', 40 Sites
Campsite Amenities: Bear Boxes, Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Meeks Bay Campground
Fees: $33 per night ($2 more over holidays)
Nearby Attractions: Meeks Bay Day Use Area, Beach on Lake Tahoe

Bayview Campground

Forest Service Notice: "The Bayview Campground at Emerald Bay is temporarily closed for conversion to a day-use area, and parking in other nearby lots is in high demand. The trailhead remains open." (3/2024)

Location: West shore of Lake Tahoe, 8 miles north of South Lake Tahoe.
Campground Facilities: Vault Toilets, No Water, RVs to 20', 13 Sites
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Reservations: No Reservations
Fees: $17 per night
Nearby Attractions: Inspiration Point, Emerald Bay

Campground by the Lake

Operated by the City of South Lake Tahoe Parks & Recreation
Location: 1159 Rufus Ave., South Lake Tahoe, CA
Campground by the Lake
Open: April - October
Campground Facilities: WiFi, Tent Cabins available, Dump Station
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Table, BBQ, Fire Ring
Reservations: (530) 542-6096
Summer Fees: (6 people, 1 vehicle) $45 per night
Nearby Attractions: El Dorado Beach


Nearby Campgrounds

Fallen Leaf Campground

Location: SW shore of Lake Tahoe, at the north end of Fallen Leaf Lake
Campground Facilities: Piped Water, Flush Toilets, Showers, 188 Sites, RVs to 40'; 6 Yurts which Sleep 5-6 People
Campsite Amenities: Bear Boxes, Picnic Tables, Fire Rings, BBQs; Yurts have electricity and space heater
Reservations: Recreation.gov - Fallen Leaf Campground
Fees: Campsites $38 per night; Yurts $100 per night
Nearby Attractions: Taylor Creek Visitor Center, Rainbow trail to Stream Profile Chamber

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Granite Flat Campground

Location: Highway 89 near Truckee, along the Little Truckee River
Campground Facilities: Vault Toilets, Piped Water, 74 Sites
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Granite Flat Campground
Fees: $22 per night for single sites
Nearby Attractions: Truckee, Donner Lake

Silver Creek Campground

Location: Highway 89 near Truckee, along the Truckee River
Campground Facilities: Flush and Vault Toilets, Piped Water, 19 Sites
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Silver Creek Campground
Fees: $20 per night for single sites
Nearby Attractions: Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe

Find the Best Camping in California

Complete information about even more campgrounds around Lake Tahoe and all up and down California. Visit our sister website:

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Bliss State Park Campground, Lake Tahoe, California

Bliss State Park Campground



Zephyr Cove RV Park & Campgrounds

760 Hwy. 50, Zephyr Cove, NV
Resort: (775) 589-4906  
Website: Zephyr Cove Resort & Marina
Resort Facilities: Marina, Beach, Laundry, Showers, Restrooms, WiFi
RV Campsites: 93 Sites, some with Lake Views, Vehicles to 40', Full Hook-ups, 30/50 Amp, Cable TV, Telephone and Internet, Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Tent Campsites: 47 "walk-in" Sites, 10 "drive-in", Picnic Tables, Fire Rings, BBQs, Bear Lockers

Camp Richardson

1900 Jameson Beach Rd., South Lake Tahoe, CA
(800) 544-18011   Camp Richardson
Resort Facilities: Bar and Grill, Marina, Historic Hotel, Lakefront Cabins
Campgrounds: Two campgrounds with 200 Sites, Badger's Den on the lake side of Hwy 89 and Eagle's Nest across the highway, Restrooms, Showers
RV Sites: RV Camping at the two campgrounds listed above, plus Camp Rich. Full Hook-up Sites, plus Water and Electric Only Sites

Chris Haven RV Community

2030 E Street. South Lake Tahoe, CA
(530) 541-1895   Chris Haven RV Community
Facilities: WiFi, Restrooms, Showers, Laundry
RV Sites: Full Hook-ups, Cable TV
Daily, Weekly, and Monthly rates available


South Lake Tahoe Picnic Areas and Beaches

Many locations charge an entrance or parking fee.

  • D.L. Bliss State Park
    • West Shore
    • Restrooms, Picnic Area
    • A beautiful beach
  • Meeks Bay Day Use Area
    • West Shore, 8 miles north of Emerald Bay
    • Lakeside Picnic Area
    • Restrooms, Piped Water
    • Kayaking, Swimming
  • Sugar Pine Pt. State Park
    • West Shore
    • Restrooms, Picnic Area
    • Beaches and trails
  • Eagle Falls
    • West Shore at Emerald Bay
    • Often crowded in summer
    • Picnic Area, Restrooms
    • Parking Fee
  • Emerald Bay State Park
    • West Shore
    • Restrooms, Picnic Area
  • Baldwin Beach
    • SW Shore, 4 Miles north of South Lake Tahoe
    • Windsurfing, Swimming
    • Restrooms, No Piped Water
  • Tallac Historic Site
    • SW shore near Camp Richardson
    • Tour Tallac Resort
    • Restrooms, Picnic Tables, Piped Water
  • Kiva Picnic Area
    • SW Shore, next to Tallac Site
    • Restrooms, Picnic Tables, BBQs
  • Taylor Creek Visitor Center
    • Near Tallac Historic Site
    • Stream Profile Chamber
    • Summer Evening Programs at Lake of the Sky Amphitheater
  • Pope Beach
    • SW Shore, 3 miles north of the Y
    • Restrooms, Picnic Tables
    • BBQs, No Piped Water
    • Windsurfing
  • Reagan Beach
    • Off Lakeview Ave, South Lake Tahoe
  • El Dorado Beach
    • South Lake Tahoe
  • Connolly Beach
    • At Timber Cove
  • Nevada Beach
    • SE Shore, near Elks Point Rd.
    • Piped Water, Flush Toilets
    • Picnic Area
  • Zephyr Cove
    • East Shore
    • Restrooms, Picnic Tables
    • Piped Water, Beach

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