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You travel in an RV because it takes you to many places. And in your search for those many places to visit, you’ll probably come upon Lake Tahoe, North America’s largest mountain lake. With sunshine 80 percent of the time here and activities to keep you exploring all year long, Lake Tahoe camping will be top on your list regardless of whether you live in your RV or simply need a weekend getaway.
Things to Do
Along with those rays of sunshine, come 400 inches of snow per year, resulting in 15 downhill ski areas, cross-country terrain, snowshoe trails, and snowmobiling adventures. Snow not quite your thing in an RV? We understand. How about miles upon miles of hiking and mountain biking trails? Or maybe you’d rather spend your summer days lying on a beach, beverage in hand, umbrella overhead while your kids paddle-board or kayak.
Craft beer fan? Wine lover? Food connoisseur? All of those are also well covered when camping at Lake Tahoe. This mountain area will keep your active body busy in the outdoors or relaxed while strolling through many of its quaint shops and along beautiful beaches. Check out these Eight Incredible Things You Must See In Lake Tahoe. And while you decide what your itinerary looks like, we’ll help you plan everything you need to know about Lake Tahoe Camping in an RV.
Truckee River RV Park – Truckee, California
If you’re looking for a place to explore it all, then Truckee River RV Park is your gem. Located along I-80 on Truckee River, 18 miles from Lake Tahoe and 6 miles from downtown Truckee, you’ll find a relaxing place to stay centrally located to all the action.
Truckee River RV Park has full hookups, along with laundry and shower facilities, and even an onsite store and deli. They are open year round for your convenience and also have paddle-board rentals available giving you the option to fully enjoy Truckee River along with Squaw Valley Ski Resort, only a 25 minute drive away.
Rates: Nightly, weekly, and monthly rates are available with nightly rates starting at $55 for a 30 amp hookup.
Sue W. from Santa Cruz was very happy with her stay here. “Enjoyed our stay here in our 40′ Class A. Used it for our base camp location for exploring Lake Tahoe, Reno and Alpine Sierra areas near Truckee. Lots of grass and trees to enjoy and very clean property. Store and deli onsite, as well as 24 hour gas station. Truckee River view is a short walk away.”
Lake Forest Campground – Tahoe City, California
If you’re looking for simple beauty, this North Lake Tahoe campground, Lake Forest Campground, is just for you. Lake Forest Beach is mere blocks away and mountain biking and hiking trails are right outside your door.
So while you will not find showers, hookups, nor dumping stations here, and you need to have an RV smaller than 25 feet, you will find nature, stars, and all the trails you need to invigorate your mind, body, and soul. You’ve got an RV to get you places, and said RV has all the hookups you need.
Rates: Sites are first-come first-serve with a 10 night limit. At $20/night you get all the stars in the sky without the hassle of the rock stars in the city.
The Groves Family loves this place. “My wife and I love this little campground. Perfect location in North Tahoe and a good daily rate. We are definitely coming back.”
D.L. Bliss State Park – Emerald Bay, California
Located 17 miles south of Tahoe City, D. L. Bliss State Park gives you easy access to nature and all the joys of the mountain towns nearby. But be prepared, this Lake Tahoe camping area is not for the big rigs. With a limit of 18 feet for motorhomes and 15 feet for trailers, this may be the time to park the big rig and go back to basics with some tent camping. Showers and dump stations are available, but the only hookups are what you might make when meeting new friends.
With many hiking and biking trails nearby, along with warm sandy beaches, this not-so-hidden gem may just feel like your own little piece of paradise. Really, you can even scuba-dive here. If that doesn’t sound like paradise, we don’t know what is.
Rates: On a reservation only basis, you can grab your spot here for only $45/night for beach spots and $35/night for all others.
“The grandeur of the parks and their setting is a product of successive upheavals of the mountain-building processes that raised the Sierra Nevada. From promontories such as Rubicon Point in D.L. Bliss State Park you can see over one hundred feet into the depths of Lake Tahoe.”
Camp Richardson Historic Resort & Marina – South Lake Tahoe, California
As they say at Camp Richardson, “Come discover your happy place.” This is Lake Tahoe camping at its finest. With award-winning dining, lodging, and camping all in one place, be careful, you may not want to leave your campground.
Located only 20 minutes from Heavenly Resort and open year-round (with the exception of the RV village and campsites), this might be your winter destination as well as summer. In addition to winter access, Camp Richardson has plenty of beach access for those lazy summer days, as well as a full service marina with all the toys available to rent.
Rates: For full hookups, rates start at $60/night and range from there depending on dates and seasons.
One happy camper tells the story here well. “We stay at Camp Richardson at least once every year and have been doing so for five years now. Full hook ups, friendly neighbors fire pits showers and toilets if you don’t wanna use your RV. Shop stores in the area. Bike trails. Hiking. Short walk to an uncrowded beautiful beach. JetSki and motor boat rentals. What more could you ask for?”
Thousand Trails Tahoe Valley Campground – South Lake Tahoe, California
Looking to keep your family entertained without squabbles deciding on what to do? Tahoe Valley Campground has something for everyone. Just a few of those somethings include playgrounds, volleyball, ping pong, swimming, pool tables, horseshoes, basketball, movie nights, and more.
Located on Lake Tahoe, you’ll find mountain vistas, rolling rivers, lakefront access and access to trails for hiking, biking, and strolling. With over 400 RV spots available and all the activities within and around the resort, Lake Tahoe camping will spoil you silly.
Rates: For around $80/night, you’ll get full hookups along with all the resort has to offer. Rates are dependent upon dates and RV sites and sizes. Tahoe Valley Campground is a Thousand Trails Campground, so you could even stay here for free if you are a Thousand Trails member.
Ann from Texas had this to say, “The people who work there are awesome. Fellow RVers are very friendly and the location of this campground is perfect to see all of Lake Tahoe.”
Zephyr Cove Resort – Zephyr Cove, Nevada
Don’t have an RV? No worries, you can rent a couple of nights here in an Airstream all beautifully set up and ready for you. Have an RV? This award-winning Zephyr Cove Resort campground has all the amenities of a resort within the comforts of your own RV. And your backyard is Lake Tahoe.
Where else can you get Lake Tahoe camping that is close to the M.S. Dixie II Paddlewheeler, watersports, beach access, dining, and even horseback riding and parasailing? With full hookups, laundry, showers, free wifi, and all the nature you can soak up, this is camping in paradise.
Rates: RV pull-thru sites and full hookups start around $80/night.
Nima from Nevada had a good time. “One of the only full hook up sites around Tahoe that allows pets, including easy walking distance to the beach. One of our favorite Tahoe destinations for any rig.”
Hope Valley Dispersed Camping – Hope Valley, CA
Not everyone’s gem is an RV park. For those that don’t mind roughing it a bit with boondocking, meaning no hookups and generally no amenities, including toilets, there is dispersed camping. Which usually means no cost to you.
While Hope Valley is located along Highway 88 adding a bit of road noise to your camping evenings, it is free, only 30 minutes from South Lake Tahoe, and it is in a meadow surrounded by beautiful forested regions. Cell service can be spotty, but it is evident and the freedom of being directly in nature without the hindrance of RV park rules can sometimes be very invigorating. While there may be less rules, there’s also no trash pickup, so please pack out your trash. Dispersed camping sites are being closed down because we are not caring for our campgrounds. Lake Tahoe camping areas deserve to be as pristine as they were before we arrived there.
Rates: zero, zilch, nada, free
“Cute tree-lined foothill next to open meadow with river access a short hike away. Plenty of dispersed sites that can accommodate any rig of any size. Lots of people and sometimes fairly close, but you still retain decent privacy. No water nor electrical nor dump, haphazard cell service. Would definitely camp here again.” – Happy Camper with a full wallet
The Gems of Lake Tahoe Camping
Whatever your style, RV campground, RV resort, or RV boondocking, you’re sure to find your best Lake Tahoe camping experience if you choose one of these RV spots. With your home always underfoot and ready to go, Lake Tahoe will be waiting for you.
Will you be ready for all the fun it has to offer? With these gems, you’ll be well-rested and ready for all the action that surrounds the Lake Tahoe area.
Another gem is Fallen Leaf Lake Campground. It’s a Forest Service campground and has no hookups, so it’s dry camping. It’s located between Emerald Bay and South Lake Tahoe. It’s a nice peaceful place to camp right on Fallen Leaf Lake.
Enjoyed your article about RVing and Lake Tahoe. The lead photo with the white van and orange canoe with what looks like a young lady sitting on top of the canoe, where was that photo taken? Looks like it’s in some pretty country but It is not at Lake Tahoe. Just curious.
We leave north is Sacramento and yes the places you listed are great. We also have been to other campgrounds in the El Dorado Forrest where the largest RV would be 35’ and it’s still dry camping.
Every place looks nice, but prices are high in California seems like. I guess that is to be expected! HAPPY TRAILS!