Lake Tahoe Winter RV Campgrounds
Camping around Lake Tahoe is a favorite for many RV adventurers—and for good reason! This lake, split between California and Nevada, is not only one of the most stunning in all of North America, but the area has plenty of year-round activities too!
Photo by JOSHUA COLEMAN on Unsplash
While winter camping around Lake Tahoe isn’t nearly as popular as camping in the summer months, it’s still a great time of year to visit. There are several ski resorts nearby, snowmobile tours, sleigh rides, cross-country skiing, snow tubing, fat-tire biking, and of course, scenic cruises around the lake.
The best part is, that camping in the winter around Lake Tahoe comes with much fewer crowds!
Whether you plan on staying for months at a time, or just for a weekend getaway, this post has got you covered.
Tahoe Valley RV Resort – South Lake Tahoe, California
Just south of Lake Tahoe, this RV Resort offers year-round camping with full hookups and 50 amps of electricity. Regardless of where you camp within the resort, you’ll be surrounded by towering pines and surreal mountain vistas. In the summer months, the park has 400 sites available which are separated into four sections. In the winter, only one section is open, but still provides plenty of accessibility for RV campers. The bathrooms and shower facilities stay open during the winter and there are pull-thru sites available.
Chris Haven Mobile Home & RV Community – South Lake Tahoe, California
Nearby to the Tahoe Valley Campground, the Chris Haven Mobile Home & RV Community is another great option for camping south of Lake Tahoe. The campground accommodates RVs up to 35 feet in length and offers monthly rates for longer stays. Each of the 96 sites offer full hookups, including year-round laundry facilities and restrooms. This campground is equipped for long term stays, but weekend getaways can be reserved too. The nearest ski resort is the Heavenly Mountain Resort, but Hansen’s Snow Tube & Saucer Hill is a lot of fun too!
Edwin Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park – Tahoma, California
Located on the western rim of Lake Tahoe, this stunning state park is just a short walk away from the waterfront. There are no hookups available, but the campground does have a dump station and flush toilets. This state park is loved for its accommodations for winter activities—it has 11 miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails. In fact, it was even the focal point of the 1960 Winter Olympics! The campground accommodates RVs up to 32 feet in length and fresh drinking water is available.
Coachland RV Park – Truckee, California
Truckee is a quiet little town and just a short drive north of Lake Tahoe. Coachland RV Park is a privately owned campground located just outside of Truckee. It has full hookups and all of its sites are pull-thru. The campground also accommodates to longer term stays, meaning that you’ll have some of the best access to Lake Tahoe and ski lodges, like the Sugar Bowl Resort, the Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort, the Northstar California Ski Resort, and the Squaw Valley Resort.
Truckee River RV Park – Truckee, California
Located directly on the Truckee River, this RV park is also another great option for fantastic winter camping in the Lake Tahoe region. The lakeside is only a few miles away and you’ll be relatively nearby to many of the ski resorts in the Truckee area. Sites come with full hookups and 50 amps of electricity service. There is also an on-site general store, a deli, gas station, propane sales, as well as shower and laundry facilities. Seasonal camping is available from the beginning of November to the beginning of May, but you’ll need to call to learn their current monthly rates. Weekly rates are between $340 and $365.
Zephyr Cove Resort – Zephyr Cove, Nevada
This spectacular campground is located directly on the southeastern rim of Lake Tahoe. In fact, it’s one of the only all-season RV campgrounds you’ll find located on the Nevada side of the lake. Since you’ll be staying on the east end of the lake, you’ll also be able to meander over to the shoreline for incredible winter sunsets, making it hard to rival in its pristine beauty. There are 93 sites available and each spot include full hookups with up to 50 amps of electricity. Several of the sites also offer accommodations to RVs that are 40-feet in length or bigger. There is a 14 night maximum stay at Zephyr Cove Resort, but that should allow for plenty of time to experience all that the area has to offer.
River West RV Resort, Reno, Nevada
If you want to stay a little warmer and have access to the World’s Biggest Little City, then the River West RV Resort in Reno, Nevada is another option. Reno is just a 45-minute drive to Truckee and the north side of Lake Tahoe. If you are planning on skiing or snowboarding, then Mt. Rose Ski Area is only a 30-minute drive from the RV park. The River West RV Resort offers full hook-ups with some spots backing right onto the Truckee River for a wonderfully relaxing and peaceful river view. This Reno RV park is just a short walk into downtown Reno along the Truckee Riverwalk path.
Booking Your Lake Tahoe Winter RV Campground Stay
Although winter camping in the Lake Tahoe region is much less common in the winter, it’s still a great idea to reserve your campsite a few weeks in advance. You should be able to find a spot to camp in one of the campgrounds listed above, but if you have your eye on one in particular it’s best to not let it get away.
Lake Tahoe is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful sights in the winter. The nearby resorts also end up attracting thousands of skiers, snowboarders, and cross-country skiers for some unrivaled winter thrills.
When the temperatures drop, and the skies dump tons of feet of snow on the area, a huge wintery celebration usually ensues. Some of the most beautiful days of the season can be experienced on the slopes when the sun is shining and Lake Tahoe can be seen glimmering off in the distance.
If you’re planning on a winter RV camp trip to the Lake Tahoe region, one of these RV campgrounds will surely give you primetime access to this incredible seasonal affair. Even if you’re just planning on hitting the casinos or spending a few days in the local museums, your trip surely won’t disappoint.
One thing to keep in mind though, the Lake Tahoe region rises above 6,000 feet in elevation. So don’t forget to pack adequately and dress in layers!
You’ll also want to make sure your Airstream is ready for the cold weather, including plans to keep the inside of your Airstream warm in the winter temperatures that can drop well below freezing.
Staying Warm in Your RV while Winter Camping
One challenge with winter camping in your RV is staying warm and preventing pipes and hoses from freezing. I’ve spent the last two winters full-time in my Airstream and it helps to have RV skirting around the underside of your camper to keep the cold winter wind from blowing underneath it.
I’ve been very happy with my inflatable AirSkirts and found them easy to set up and take down as needed.
What do you think? Do you have a favorite campground on the list? Be sure to let us know!
