Sites are big and bright but generally quite close together. Large pine trees offer shade here and there, and some sites have nice views over the lake. Campsites are all back-in and do not have hookups. RV sites can typically accommodate equipment of 18 to 25 feet in length, with a few exceptions for longer units.

The campground is set relatively close to the highway, so traffic noise can be a factor. Facilities include flush toilets but no showers. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance on a rolling date basis.

A short trail to Fallen Leaf Lake leaves from the campground, offering a nice escape from the crowds along Lake Tahoe, a little less than a mile away. Other trailheads in the area include Glen Alpine and Mt. Tallac, as well as the Moraine Trail, which leaves directly from the campground.

Fallen Leaf Campground offers 200 tent and RV sites, as well as six yurts. Parking pads are paved, and some sites are pull-through. The maximum length varies by campsite, but some sites can accommodate very large units. Facilities include flush toilets. Reservations must be made in advance.

The trailhead for the Rubicon hiking trail, one of the most popular hikes near South Lake Tahoe, is located in this campground. Farther up the highway is Eagle Falls, as well as more hiking trails.

This campground opens later in the season than many of the other campgrounds in the area. Sites are small and can accommodate tents, trailers up to 18 feet, and motorhomes up to 21 feet. Make sure the campsite you book is large enough to contain your equipment.

Reservations can be made at Emerald Bay State Park up to six months in advance.

Large pine trees provide plenty of shade, but a lack of ground cover, particularly on sites closest to the lake, means campers may have little privacy. The sparkling blue lake can be seen through the trees from many of the campsites.

This large campground is operated by the City of South Lake Tahoe. The 178 sites can accommodate tents and RVs of almost all sizes. Loop A has full hookups and Loop B has only electrical hookups. The campground has Wi-Fi and some cell phone reception, which is a serious advantage for campers who want to stay connected.

Nearby are a public playground, basketball courts, and a heated swimming pool, which can be accessed for a small fee. It’s also pet-friendly, with up to three dogs allowed per site.

You can reserve a site up to one year in advance.

The campground is right off Highway 89, so traffic noise is a factor. However, considering parking can be very difficult to find along this scenic stretch, being able to access many of the sites on foot is a real advantage.

You can’t see Emerald Bay from the campground, but there are views through the large trees to the surrounding mountains. For nice views over the water, walk across the highway to the lookout.

This campground has 12 first-come, first-served campsites, which can accommodate tents and small RVs. Facilities include pit toilets, and each site has a picnic table, fire pit, barbecue, and food storage locker.

Note that the campground is at an elevation of 7,100 feet, so the nights will be cool to cold, even in the middle of summer.

Just west of South Lake Tahoe, Camp Richardson Historic Resort and Marina is a large operation with various accommodation options, including a hotel, cabins, and three campgrounds. Two campgrounds, Eagle’s Nest and Badger’s Den, offer well over 100 tent sites.

The separate RV Village, complete with full hookups, can accommodate approximately 100 RVs. Its convenient waterfront location and full range of on-site amenities, from a store and restaurant to sports equipment rentals, make this a great choice for families. However, they do not accept pets.

Official site: https://www.camprichardson.com/

The park’s most famous feature is the Ehrman Mansion, but its real charm is the setting. Tall pines line the rocky shoreline and look out over the shallow, turquoise waters that transition to a glistening dark blue before reaching the mountains on the far side of the lake.

The campground is well back from the water and on the opposite side of the highway from the lake, a little less than a mile from the main area of the park. The camping area is heavily treed with large pines, which block much of the light and leave the campsites a little dark. Most sites are very large and well-spaced.

This is forest camping, and the campground is not near the lake, but a walking trail connects the campground with the waterfront area. Facilities include flush toilets, showers, and an RV dump station. Trailers up to 26 feet and motorhomes up to 32 feet are accepted.

Reservations can be made at Ed Z’Berg Sugar Pine Point State Park up to six months in advance on a rolling date basis.