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Best RV Campgrounds around Lake Tahoe

Is it any wonder that Lake Tahoe is considered one of the most beautiful places on Earth?

Located a 3 hour drive (with no traffic) from the San Francisco Bay are, Lake Tahoe is the crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada. With a surface area of 191 square miles, and 72 miles of unspoiled shoreline, Lake Tahoe is a favorite destination of vacationers from miles around. This gigantic lake straddling the California and Nevada border invites for all kinds of adventures at every season of the year.

While Lake Tahoe is surely the centerpiece of all the activity, there’s something to do in the region year-round, making it one of Mother Nature’s greatest theme parks.

In the warmer months, many visitors find fascination with the mountains, meadows, waterfalls, hidden coves, rivers, bays, hiking trails, old-growth forests, and of course, the shimmering lakefront with an unbelievably refreshing temperature. But that’s not all! 

In the nearby towns, there are also festivals, wine tours, outdoor markets, gourmet restaurants, helicopter tours, scenic lakefront cruises, parades, historic mansions, and regional monuments. Even in the winter months, you’ll find plenty of visitors hanging around to hit the ski slopes or take snowmobile tours.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. With so many campgrounds in the area, bringing your RV out for a spectacular vacation is an absolute breeze!

This comprehensive Lake Tahoe RV campground guide has got you covered with planning all of your RV campground accommodations. With such a lengthy list to choose from, we’ve compiled all of the best campgrounds—rated on user reviews, amenities included, proximity to the lake, and affordability.

Read on to find your ideal Lake Tahoe RV campground!

Zephyr Cove Resort, Zephyr Cove, NV

One of the first phenomenal Lake Tahoe campgrounds to make our list is Zephyr Cove Resort.

This private RV resort just over the California-Nevada state line from South Lake Tahoe, is one of the few campgrounds located directly on the eastern lakeshore on the Nevada side of the lake. One of the best things about Zephyr Cove Resort is its immediate access to Lake Tahoe. Many of the Lake Tahoe RV campground sites are located on the waterfront, meaning that you’ll be able to catch some of the most pristine sunsets possible over Lake Tahoe.

Zephyr Cove has a little bit of everything to satisfy any RV adventurer. You’ll find full RV hookups, so you’ll have access to fresh drinking water, electricity up to 50 amps, and a sewer connection. The campground also has free Wi-Fi, cable TV connections, laundry facilities, and an on-site restaurant.

The resort is also within walking distance to a number of higher-end shops and restaurants. Or if that doesn’t suit you, the popular South Lake Tahoe is just a few miles away. However, keep in mind that access to all of this luxury does come with a higher price tag, so if affordability is your main concern, you may wish to look elsewhere.

Zephyr Cove has a 14 day max stay policy per year, so its a better Lake Tahoe campground for shorter trips.

If you don’t want to deal with towing your Airstream up and over Echo Pass, you can leave it at home and stay in an Airstream rental at Zephyr Cove. If you are looking for other Airstream hotels, we have you covered with our Best California Airstream Hotels article.

Edwin Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, Tahoma, CA

At the other end of the lake, and virtually the opposite of Zephyr Cove Resort, is Sugar Pine Point State Park. Where this awe-inspiring campground sacrifices on accommodations, it truly makes up for in natural beauty.

Sugar Pine Point is a favorite among RV campers because it allows visitors unique and unbridled access to the glory of nature. The western end of Lake Tahoe is much more remote, and subsequently, this campground is all about allowing you to get in touch with your rustic side.

The campground doesn’t have hookups, but there is certainly no shortage of serenity. You’ll fortunately find that the campground does have hot showers, clean toilets, hiking trails, and bike paths for visitors to enjoy. It’s also a fraction of the price from some of the more expensive campgrounds—at $35 a night in the on season, and $25 a night in the winter. The campground accommodates RVs up to 32 feet in length.

Sugar Pine Point State Park is also a beloved campground for its recreational winter activities. In fact, the state park was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, making it one of the most renowned camping locations in the Lake Tahoe area.

Campground by the Lake, South Lake Tahoe, CA

Don’t be fooled by its generic name, Campground by the Lake is undoubtedly one-of-a-kind! This South Lake Tahoe city campground can be found on the southern end of the lake, just on the outskirts of South Lake Tahoe. The beach is just across the street, and its location also makes it a perfect spot to walk to the nearby museums, galleries, restaurants, and bars.

This campground is made to be extremely family-friendly, with access to play structures, a library, a hockey rink, and slow speed limits. There almost isn’t a more convenient campground to stay at if your primary goal is to have nearby access to Lake Tahoe as well as nearness to the exciting and trendy town of South Lake Tahoe.

There are 175 total sites available in this campground, with some of the sites being pull-thru. There are also partial hookups available, with city drinking water and up to 30 amps of electrical service, but no direct sewer hookups. If that doesn’t pique your interest, Campground by the Lake also has free Wi-Fi, clean restrooms and showers, a general store, and a dog run.

Each of the sites here are well-maintained, and accommodations are available for RVs up to 36 feet in length. Reservations are strongly encouraged and campsites can be booked between April and September.

Coachland RV Park, Truckee, CA

Although the campgrounds on the north shore of Lake Tahoe aren’t located directly on the waterfront, the lake is just a short town away. The quaint town of Truckee is also a nice place to get away from the big crowds that frequent South Lake Tahoe.

Coachland RV Park goes above and beyond for RV-ers visiting the area for a few nights. There are full hookups available, including electric service up to 50 amps. You’ll also find plenty of other amenities, from a playground, laundry facilities, a propane filling station, a dump station, a fitness center, a RV washing station, a bath house, and a club house with a fully-equipped kitchen area.

The campground also boasts immaculate scenic views, as it’s nestled into the heart of the scenic Sierra Nevada mountain range. Another great thing about Coachland RV Park is its nearness to the Truckee River, where white water rafting trips can be scheduled for some intense and memorable thrills.

There are 114 pull-thru RV sites available and a few back-in sites as well. Prices vary seasonally, but the nightly rate usually starts at $45. There are even several sites set up for monthly rentals. So if you really enjoy the area of north Lake Tahoe, Coachland RV Park is able to accommodate with manicured, long-term sites in order to take advantage of all of the nearby attractions.

Tahoe Valley Campground, South Lake Tahoe, CA

This South Lake Tahoe campground is privately owned and operated within the Thousand Trails Resorts ecosystem. Basically, that means you’ll be guaranteed a flawless campground experience, since the standard is set high to be one of the best in the area.

Tahoe Valley Campground offers plenty of amenities. So many, in fact, that you may find it hard to leave to do other things! This alluring private campground offers resort-style accommodations, including a heated swimming pool, a playground, horseshoe pits, tennis courts, volleyball pits, on-site fishing, laundry facilities, concierge service, and a general store.

Tahoe Valley Campground has 415 sites available with full hookups, making it one of the largest full-service campground in the Lake Tahoe region. Many of the sites are pull-thru as well, so you don’t have to scramble with backing in after a long day’s drive. Many RV campers have rated this campground as one of the safest and cleanest in the area, and it is located far enough away from the main road, so it is usually pretty quiet.

If you plan on staying in this campground, you’ll only be about three miles away from the southern end of Lake Tahoe. Seasonal rates vary by demand, so it’s usually best to call the campground to check nightly prices.

Chris Haven Mobile Home & RV Community, South Lake Tahoe, CA

Another South Lake Tahoe campground, Chris Haven offers 96 full hookup sites and is conveniently located in Tahoe Valley. If you’re having visitors for the week, this campground is a great option because it relatively close to the Lake Tahoe Airport.

You’ll also find clean restrooms and showers here, laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, and cable connections if you just need to wind down for the even with some TV. The campground has recently been completely renovated, and is open year round. You can also find nightly, weekly, and monthly rates for a reasonably affordable price.

The campground is only about three miles away from the southern tip of Lake Tahoe, making it perfect for accessibility between the town and the waterfront. If you’re interested in doing some shopping, or hitting up some of the golf courses nearby, Chris Haven has some of the most exclusive access to the surrounding Tahoe Valley.

Undoubtedly, one of the greatest things about Chris Haven is its location. It’s hard to beat the phenomenal access you have to city bus services and the short distance away from exciting lakeshore activities.

Camp Richardson Historic Resort & Marina, South Lake Tahoe, CA

Another South Lake Tahoe RV campground which is conveniently located just off of Highway 89, this waterfront RV park has some features unlike any other in the area. Camp Richardson offers direct access to the southern end of beautiful Lake Tahoe. This historic resort has been in the Richardson family since 1921, making it one of the most phenomenally authentic campgrounds in the area.

The historic Camp Richardson has plenty to offer to RV campers as well, allowing campers the opportunity to walk to a private and secluded Lake Tahoe beach. It also has its own waterfront equipment rentals, a general store, a deli, an ice cream parlor, a coffee shop, and more!

Another notable feature is its on-site water taxi, allowing visitors the unique ability to travel by water to additional points of interest around Lake Tahoe. Having a marina nearby also means that you’ll be able to relax to picturesque views of sailboats against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevadas.

Camp Richardson is one of the more pricey campgrounds in the region, with nightly rates varying between $60 and $70 depending on the site type and day of the week. There are full and partial hookups available with up to 30 amps of service. In any event, what you pay for in nightly rates is easily a great deal for what you have access to during the day.

Fallen Leaf Campground, South Lake Tahoe, CA

A delightful national forest campground, Fallen Leaf is one of the most unique campgrounds to make our list. This campground is also one of the many located nearby to South Lake Tahoe, but it also offers a serene environment away from the large crowds in the town.

Fallen Leaf Campground is located on Fallen Leaf Lake—a tranquil and scenic body of water, much less frequented than Lake Tahoe. The campground is still just a few miles away from Lake Tahoe, but it offers seclusion amongst the towering Ponderosa Pines.

There are 205 sites available, but they are each dry camping only. Expect relatively roomy sites on the forest floor and quiet evenings. Fortunately, generators are allowed for certain hours within the campground, meaning that you will still be able to charge up your batteries to use your devices.

Fallen Leaf Campground truly offers the best of both worlds. You’ll have relative nearness to the bustling town of South Lake Tahoe and greater Lake Tahoe, but you’ll also be able to retire with peaceful evenings on Fallen Leaf Lake. Rates are usually around $35 a night and most sites accommodate campers up to 40 feet in length.

A Variety of Campground Options near Lake Tahoe

With so many options to choose from, it’s clear that the Lake Tahoe region has a lot going for it. 

Whether you choose a campground in the quiet north, the scenic west, the bustling south, or the fashionable east, RV camping around Lake Tahoe has a little of something for everyone.

So pack your bags, and hop behind the wheel of your motorhome, Lake Tahoe is calling!

If you’re looking to hit the ski slopes, read our Lake Tahoe Winter RV camping article.