Discover the best waterfall campgrounds in Lake Tahoe

United States
—
California
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Lake Tahoe

97% (1095 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Lake Tahoe

Dog-friendly getaways

11 top waterfall campgrounds in Lake Tahoe

97%

(263)

Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents6 acres · Somerset, CA

A six acre organic vineyard & natural winery on 21 acres awaits you at Gold Dust Vineyard. A working natural winery and cidery, come enjoy a glass, relax in the breezes at 2’700 feet. Decomposed granite soils and high elevation make for sweeping views and even better natural wine and cider! We welcome guests year round! Surrounded by nature, there is so much to do! Up in the Foothills, we experience all four seasons! Come relax☮️ March - May 🌸Don’t miss the wildflowers & babbling brooks, steams & rivers June - September 🏞Swimming in the Consumnes River or paddle boarding at Jenkinson Lake September - December 🍂🍁Fall foliage, wine harvest, apple picking and alpaca petting December - March ❄️⛷Snowy hikes, mushroom hunting and quick trips to South Lake Tahoe We accept reservations for wine and cider tastings and typically host guests between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm. Occasionally, during very hot and busy holiday weekends, we will host an evening tasting. We have running water on the side of the winery building. Please note, we are a mom and pop shop with just two of us and our young son running the show. We live on site in a tiny house and use the tasting area as our 'back yard' during off hours. We ask that guests please respect our area and off hours requests. We do not permit live fires or generators.

Luxurious Glamping In Apple Hill

1 site · Lodging23 acres · Camino, CA

Enjoy the sounds of nature and rushing water as you sleep comfortably in the woods. Enjoy the lush grounds with a pond and gardens. On-site restrooms with shower. BBQ and food prep area available. Sit on the front porch over looking a waterfall. This is the only tent on the property so you will have a lot of privacy. Visit local farms, wineries, and lakes, then sleep peacefully in a luxurious tent.

100%

(1)

Reimer Pack Yurt

1 site · Lodging10 acres · Emigrant Gap, CA

Glamping with a pack of dogs at your door step. Enjoy a beautiful spacious yurt bordering the Tahoe National Forest in a great location with access to nearby lakes (summer) and ski hills (winter). *Winter* snowshoe out the back door, cozy up by the warm wood stove, or use the yurt as a home base while you ski one of the nearby ski hills (20 minutes from Sugar Bowl). *Summer* enjoy our local hiking trails or one of the many swimming holes just a short drive away. We are home to a pack of 12 working sled dogs, so enjoy morning and evening howl sessions from your large deck while drinking your coffee or sipping your wine.

Big Yeti Tiny Village

8 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Washington, CA

As you know Hipcamp lets you book and enjoy your travel plans seamlessly, So....We make every effort to be open year round, even in a blizzard. Please make sure you are equipped completely for your perfect stay over. This is a Mountain Location please check local weather conditions before you arrive. This is located 25 minutes from Truckee. Emigrant Gap has some hidden GEMS. The State park at the end of the road hosts the North Fork of the North Fork of the American River and its water Fall. Bowman Lake and Yuba Gap reservoir are one exit away. This small camping area backs up to 100,000 acres of Tahoe National forest. You can walk to a restaurant with regular bathrooms and wifi. Here we have out door compost toilet and cold out door shower. ATM we are nothing special. Lots of cool things to do minutes from here, but we mainly boast a safe place to park on your journey. Historic and epic rock climbing is minutes from your campsite. Also there are 4 ski destinations less then 20 minutes from us. fishing lakes can be hiked to. Quads, snow mobiles, xcountry skiing, hiking, downhill and horse back riding can all happen without getting back on the freeway. September 1, 2023. In and effort to make stayovers more comfortable, Site 4 and 5 are being removed and site 6 is being modified to host a full time 34Ft RV available for nightly use.

98%

(1061)

Camp Nauvoo

24 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents86 acres · Placerville, CA

Camp Nauvoo was originally bought by the LDS church in the 1960's for a girl's camp. The camp was owned by the Boy Scouts from 2011-2015. The Rose family bought the property in 2016 with the intent to continue the tradition of tent camping as well as creating opportunities for exclusive events i.e., group/family reunions, weddings and corporate events. We are a small privately owned small campground (20 sites only) located on the outskirts of Placerville. The property features 86.5 secluded Tahoe like acres with beautiful year-round Weber Creek. The camp sites are placed along the creek or the bluff overlooking the creek. We have traditional dirt camping, canvas tents on platforms, teepees and glamping tents for those that want the comforts of home. We are tent camping only with only one site that allows a small travel trailer or van. (#14) . We are dog friendly and allow dogs in all but 5 glamping sites. We do enforce camp rules especially our quiet time between 10 PM and 7 AM (please review). We’ve been told that we have a “family camp” vibe. We are a great place for families wanting a safe environment for their kids but also several group sites for those that want to hang out together with multiple families. We are also a great base site for those wilderness enthusiasts with access to all the El Dorado National Forest including Desolation but want a hot shower at the end of the day. We have a lodge that is stocked with games and a ping pong table. The lodge has a microwave, Keurig machine and a hot water kettle for those hot drinks (BYO Cups).We have several tables set up for those that want to eat inside as well as multiple picnic tables along the side of the lodge with overhead protection. We have electricity at the at the lodge for small appliances and charging phones. We have a compressor on site to blow up your air mattresses or float toys. We’ve been told that our bathrooms are the “cleanest” ever and have changing tables and diaper pails. We offer nice flushing toilets and hot showers! We have many extra amenities including a compressor to use for your air mattresses, For outdoor activities we have basketball, volleyball, pickleball and cornhole not to mention the playground with swing sets, seesaw and tractor play. We have hiking trails throughout the property. Our highlight is a camp fire bowl with bench seating with a stage to display camper talent which is perfect for the evening fire and roasting s’mores (bring the fixings). The creek starts out in spring looking like a rushing river featuring many fishing and swimming holes. As the summer progresses the water level falls but is still great for water play and fishing. We have propane BBQs (we provide the propane for BBQs) located throughout the property. We also have a propane grill and charcoal BBQ located in the common area for all to use. There is a dutch oven pit also in the fire bowl area. We do not allow wood fires at the individual sites but each site has a propane firepit for ambiance (not cooking) that requires you to purchase a 20 lb. propane cannister on site (add in extras) or pay cash on site. No internet service. There is limited internet only available for purchases at the setore. We require a 3 night minimum for the major holidays - Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. We do not do checkins on Sunday but do allow camping over Sunday night. We do exclusive events so you may need to explore multiple weekends to find the right reservation. We are located in the foothills so we are a short hop to many local attractions that include river rafting, gold mines, wineries and historical towns with great eating establishments. Tahoe is less than an hour away and there a many hiking trails within 20-30 minutes. We have a limited number of items to rent i.e, tents, cots, camp stoves, etc. We rent a battery pack for those that use a cpap. We also have a small store on site for those items you forgot and a good selection of ice cream and ice. We take venmo or cash. CHECKIN IS BETWEEN 4 AND 8. IF YOU ARE COMING FROM THE BAY ALLOW 4 HOURS - YOU MUST LEAVE BY 3:00 IN ORDER TO ARRIVE DURING CHECKIN. IF YOU GET DELAYED, FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE OTHER CAMPERS YOU MAY CONSIDER WAITING AND ARRIVING THE NEXT MORNING. THERE ARE NO CHECKINS AFTER 9:00.

Secluded + Peaceful Cozy Cabin

1 site · Lodging150 acres · Garden Valley, CA

Peaceful and private Bear Creek Lodge is tucked up against the El Dorado National Forest, surrounded by majestic oaks, pines, and cedars, in charming Garden Valley, CA. The 3,000-square-foot lodge is located on 150 acres, secluded from noise and light pollution, making for spectacular night skies. The park-like setting makes Bear Creek Lodge the perfect haven in the woods, while the beautifully-appointed four-bedroom home makes it the ideal place for rest, relaxation, & rejuvenation! Bear Creek Lodge has been carefully designed and appointed to help you rest and relax on your getaway to the woods. While you will likely spend evenings listening to nature’s symphony, there are plenty of activities in the house to keep you entertained. Bear Creek Lodge is 100% off the grid and utilizes an industrial generator that powers this large property. We are pet friendly, but you must register your pet on the site and there is a fee if you decide to bring your pet. Please let us know in advance. Max. Occupancy: 4 bedrooms; There is a maximum occupancy limit of 14 guests between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. WiFi: Bear Creek Lodge includes high-speed Wifi thanks to fast satellite Internet. Quiet Hours: While in a remote and secluded area, we must still abide by the local regulations. Quiet Hours must be observed between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Wildlife: The peace and beauty of being tucked away into your own secluded retreat in the woods, comes with the additional steps of having to contend with wildlife and small critters. For your safety and enjoyment, it's important to be vigilant about keeping doors closed into the Lodge. It's also important to clean up ALL food debris at ALL times, both inside and outside the Lodge. Suggestion to Bring: Remember to bring all necessary medications, as the nearest pharmacy is 14-15 miles away in Cool, CA if needed. And we also recommend bringing flashlights for each guest for moving between the main, upper, and lower levels at night time. Always check the weather app ahead of your arrival for weather forecasts at Georgetown & Garden Valley CA. Here are only a few of the nearby adventures that Hipcampers can partake in: Skiing, snowboarding, white-water rafting, wine tasting, Apple Hill, Jeep Jamboree, Rubicon trail, El Dorado National Forest, Coloma gold discovery museum, Red Hawk Casino, antiquing, historic downtown Placerville, hidden local trails, hiking, fishing, water-sports and/or doing nothing but relaxing!

100%

(1)

Quiet Home near American River

1 site · Lodging10 acres · Garden Valley, CA

Welcome to our unique dome retreat nestled in the serene Sierra Foothills! If you're seeking a tranquil getaway surrounded by nature's symphony, privacy, and breathtaking views, look no further. Our dome offers a peaceful escape where the only sounds you'll hear are the wind rustling through the trees and the delightful chorus of various birdsongs. Located amidst the natural beauty of the Sierra Foothills, our dome provides a secluded oasis away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Coldstream Ice Haus

1 site · Lodging20 acres · Truckee, CA

Located on 20 acres in Tahoe Wilderness, this is a cool off the grid, solar-powered, rustic cabin situated next to a stream. Sleeps 6-8 people. There is running hot and cold water, shower and a plumbed toilet. Kitchen with refrigerator, propane powered stove/oven, toaster, coffee maker. One bedroom on first floor. Dining/hang out area with firebox and cubbies for hanging/drying outdoor clothing. Upstairs loft has 5 single beds divided by 'pony' walls with shelving and 1 full bed. For winter use, there is a generator when needed. Heat from firebox will keep entire cabin warm. For winter, access provided by snowcat; guided trips only.

Saved 3 times

Tahoe Rubicon Chalet

1 site · Lodging5 acres · Tahoma, CA

Welcome to the Tahoe Rubicon Chalet. Please Note: 30 night minimum stay. This Mid-Century Double A Frame is just 10 houses up from Lake Tahoe - Chambers Landing. Large driveway - perfect for Class B or small RV. Leave on foot, bike, or ATV. The Rubicon Trail is right up the street. Tahoe Rim trail is nearby. Hiking, biking, and paddle boarding are right out the front door. Leave the front door and take a 75 mile bike ride around the lake. Its all right here near the Tahoe Rubicon Chalet!

99%

(198)

Animal Lovers Paradise

1 site · Tent30 acres · Greenwood, CA

Pitch your tent smack dab in the middle of HartSong Ranch Animal Sanctuary - some of the most beautiful acreage in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Cook a delicious, campfire meal - kick up your heels "a bit" after a long, hard day and then - Whew! Cop a squat, sit back, exhale and prepare yourself to take it all in. Silence is golden around here and once here, you will soon come to know – that if you blend in, be quiet, listen and observe – NATURE, in all its glory, will reveal its majesty - right before your very eyes. The 2 acre pond reflects the brilliance of “harmony” in nature. The water is pure, clean and abundant with life yet, HartSong Ranch is a pesticide free facility. Nature, taking care of itself, is truly a beautiful thing. Yellow Water Iris are in full bloom, spring through early summer. Dragonflies and butterflies sparkle in the sunshine. Frogs croak, bats dart here and there and big mouth bass become airborne in search of dinner in the early evening hours. Blue and White Heron visit the pond often – gracefully soaring over the pastures and pond in search of a safe place to land among the Iris. Watching them calculate a strategy to catch a meal, while appearing to stalk in slow motion – FASCINATING! Upwards of 40 Canada Geese goslings are hatched yearly on the grounds of HartSong. It’s absolutely adorable to watch the little ones as they frantically paddle along behind their moms. In addition and if you’re an early riser, you will most certainly feel blessed to observe the loving, yet stern, communications between Canada Goose parents (life- long mates) as they teach their young to fly - every morning at sunrise in the spring. Fire head of cattle (that have never known anything other than kindness), graze the pastures beyond the pond. Yes, they all have names and yes, they are all as sweet as can be. Their tranquility is contagious. The "one and only" ALP campsite is large enough to accommodate 9+ large tents. Only one camping group occupies this campsite. Amenities at the site include... *Porta Potty/Outhouse *Hand washing station - hand soap, hand sanitizer and hand towels provided *3 Picnic Tables with table cloths *Extra Large Dining Tent with Screened Sides for Ventilation *Wood Rounds for Seating, Lighter, Fire Starter Sticks and filled Water Buckets *Warming propane fire box (4' long). This unit is approved to use during high fire season and provides enough of a flame to roast marshmallows, make s'mores and provides incredible ambiance at the campsite during the nighttime hours. *Propane BBQ Grill - available to use during high fire season *BBQ Utensils - Large Spatula/Turner, Large Pronged Fork, Wire Bristle Grill Cleaner/Scraper *Shade sail - 1 *Life Jackets (2 child) *Row Boat with oars *Coleman Heavy Duty Water Jug (5 Gallon) *Clean, Fresh Drinking Water from HartSong's Well *4 Adirondack Chairs with Side Table *Hammock *Swing *Emergency First Aid Kit *Fire Extinguisher *Solar in Ground Lights for easy navigation during the nighttime hours There is an old gold mine on the back side of the property as well as a 30' waterfall. The canal (said to have been built by the Chinese workers during the Gold Rush) winds through the entire property. HartSong Ranch Animal Sanctuary, a 30-acre facility, is a 100% volunteer, 501(c)(3) non- profit organization and home to 60+ rescue animals. Some are blind - others have physical challenges - most are trauma survivors. Our mission is to provide a landscape of quiet and tranquility for the animals that live within our gates – a sanctuary where they can enjoy nature, peace of mind and suffer no more. There is an old gold mine on the back side of the property as well as a 30' waterfall. Off the ranch adventures are also abundant in the Sierra Nevada foothills surrounding HartSong Ranch. *The Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park – a 14 mile drive from your campsite, features a museum, restored historic buildings and costumed volunteers. Gold was discovered here at Sutter’s Mill in 1848, sparking the California Gold Rush. *The American River Confluence (North Fork and Middle Fork merge) – a 10 mile drive from your campsite. The drive down the canyon to the American River is beautifully picturesque. Over 100 miles of hiking trails, pristine swimming holes and white water opportunities are available for those of you in search of adrenaline laced activities. *Coloma, California – world famous for its white water rafting excursions – a 14 mile drive from your campsite. *Lotus, California - The Coloma-Lotus Valley is the major destination of the South Fork, shaped by the American River today as in 1848. Three riverfront parks provide opportunities for family picnics and wading, and Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park brings California’s history to life. While in Lotus, please make a point to stop in at Sierra Rizing Bakery, Coffeehouse and Cafe – located in the beautiful Coloma & Lotus river valley just steps from the South Fork of the American River. They feature small-batch local artisan-roasted coffees, fresh bakery goods, breakfast and lunch fare, as well as specialty drinks, beer, and local wines. They also offer a beautiful outdoor patio that is dog friendly. Dogs are also welcome inside the cafe. For those interested to tour the sanctuary grounds, meet many of the rescue animals living within our gates and, take a short hike to the secret, glorious waterfall, please be certain to book a tour (see EXTRAS to book a private tour). HartSong co-founders, Jim and Kathy Hart, are both former professional musicians so there’s nothing more delightful to our ears than to hear acoustic kumbaya moments around a campfire. We do, however, most graciously request “quiet time” at the campsite after 10PM.

100%

(3)

Crespillo Mountain

24 sites · RVs, Tents51 acres · Grass Valley, CA

Beautiful mountainous area off the beaten path! Steeple creek runs through it with lots of swimming holes, hiking, fishing and flat camping areas. Old Brady Gold home and historic spots. Large flat areas for RV or Trailers. Only about 30-45 minutes from Grass valley and Colfax. Lots of trees and wildlife!

Available this weekend

97%

(263)

Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents6 acres · Somerset, CA

A six acre organic vineyard & natural winery on 21 acres awaits you at Gold Dust Vineyard. A working natural winery and cidery, come enjoy a glass, relax in the breezes at 2’700 feet. Decomposed granite soils and high elevation make for sweeping views and even better natural wine and cider! We welcome guests year round! Surrounded by nature, there is so much to do! Up in the Foothills, we experience all four seasons! Come relax☮️ March - May 🌸Don’t miss the wildflowers & babbling brooks, steams & rivers June - September 🏞Swimming in the Consumnes River or paddle boarding at Jenkinson Lake September - December 🍂🍁Fall foliage, wine harvest, apple picking and alpaca petting December - March ❄️⛷Snowy hikes, mushroom hunting and quick trips to South Lake Tahoe We accept reservations for wine and cider tastings and typically host guests between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm. Occasionally, during very hot and busy holiday weekends, we will host an evening tasting. We have running water on the side of the winery building. Please note, we are a mom and pop shop with just two of us and our young son running the show. We live on site in a tiny house and use the tasting area as our 'back yard' during off hours. We ask that guests please respect our area and off hours requests. We do not permit live fires or generators.

Luxurious Glamping In Apple Hill

1 site · Lodging23 acres · Camino, CA

Enjoy the sounds of nature and rushing water as you sleep comfortably in the woods. Enjoy the lush grounds with a pond and gardens. On-site restrooms with shower. BBQ and food prep area available. Sit on the front porch over looking a waterfall. This is the only tent on the property so you will have a lot of privacy. Visit local farms, wineries, and lakes, then sleep peacefully in a luxurious tent.

Big Yeti Tiny Village

8 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Washington, CA

As you know Hipcamp lets you book and enjoy your travel plans seamlessly, So....We make every effort to be open year round, even in a blizzard. Please make sure you are equipped completely for your perfect stay over. This is a Mountain Location please check local weather conditions before you arrive. This is located 25 minutes from Truckee. Emigrant Gap has some hidden GEMS. The State park at the end of the road hosts the North Fork of the North Fork of the American River and its water Fall. Bowman Lake and Yuba Gap reservoir are one exit away. This small camping area backs up to 100,000 acres of Tahoe National forest. You can walk to a restaurant with regular bathrooms and wifi. Here we have out door compost toilet and cold out door shower. ATM we are nothing special. Lots of cool things to do minutes from here, but we mainly boast a safe place to park on your journey. Historic and epic rock climbing is minutes from your campsite. Also there are 4 ski destinations less then 20 minutes from us. fishing lakes can be hiked to. Quads, snow mobiles, xcountry skiing, hiking, downhill and horse back riding can all happen without getting back on the freeway. September 1, 2023. In and effort to make stayovers more comfortable, Site 4 and 5 are being removed and site 6 is being modified to host a full time 34Ft RV available for nightly use.

Reimer Pack Yurt

1 site · Lodging10 acres · Emigrant Gap, CA

Glamping with a pack of dogs at your door step. Enjoy a beautiful spacious yurt bordering the Tahoe National Forest in a great location with access to nearby lakes (summer) and ski hills (winter). *Winter* snowshoe out the back door, cozy up by the warm wood stove, or use the yurt as a home base while you ski one of the nearby ski hills (20 minutes from Sugar Bowl). *Summer* enjoy our local hiking trails or one of the many swimming holes just a short drive away. We are home to a pack of 12 working sled dogs, so enjoy morning and evening howl sessions from your large deck while drinking your coffee or sipping your wine.

Star Hosts in Lake Tahoe

99%

(198)

Animal Lovers Paradise

1 site · Tent30 acres · Greenwood, CA

Pitch your tent smack dab in the middle of HartSong Ranch Animal Sanctuary - some of the most beautiful acreage in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Cook a delicious, campfire meal - kick up your heels "a bit" after a long, hard day and then - Whew! Cop a squat, sit back, exhale and prepare yourself to take it all in. Silence is golden around here and once here, you will soon come to know – that if you blend in, be quiet, listen and observe – NATURE, in all its glory, will reveal its majesty - right before your very eyes. The 2 acre pond reflects the brilliance of “harmony” in nature. The water is pure, clean and abundant with life yet, HartSong Ranch is a pesticide free facility. Nature, taking care of itself, is truly a beautiful thing. Yellow Water Iris are in full bloom, spring through early summer. Dragonflies and butterflies sparkle in the sunshine. Frogs croak, bats dart here and there and big mouth bass become airborne in search of dinner in the early evening hours. Blue and White Heron visit the pond often – gracefully soaring over the pastures and pond in search of a safe place to land among the Iris. Watching them calculate a strategy to catch a meal, while appearing to stalk in slow motion – FASCINATING! Upwards of 40 Canada Geese goslings are hatched yearly on the grounds of HartSong. It’s absolutely adorable to watch the little ones as they frantically paddle along behind their moms. In addition and if you’re an early riser, you will most certainly feel blessed to observe the loving, yet stern, communications between Canada Goose parents (life- long mates) as they teach their young to fly - every morning at sunrise in the spring. Fire head of cattle (that have never known anything other than kindness), graze the pastures beyond the pond. Yes, they all have names and yes, they are all as sweet as can be. Their tranquility is contagious. The "one and only" ALP campsite is large enough to accommodate 9+ large tents. Only one camping group occupies this campsite. Amenities at the site include... *Porta Potty/Outhouse *Hand washing station - hand soap, hand sanitizer and hand towels provided *3 Picnic Tables with table cloths *Extra Large Dining Tent with Screened Sides for Ventilation *Wood Rounds for Seating, Lighter, Fire Starter Sticks and filled Water Buckets *Warming propane fire box (4' long). This unit is approved to use during high fire season and provides enough of a flame to roast marshmallows, make s'mores and provides incredible ambiance at the campsite during the nighttime hours. *Propane BBQ Grill - available to use during high fire season *BBQ Utensils - Large Spatula/Turner, Large Pronged Fork, Wire Bristle Grill Cleaner/Scraper *Shade sail - 1 *Life Jackets (2 child) *Row Boat with oars *Coleman Heavy Duty Water Jug (5 Gallon) *Clean, Fresh Drinking Water from HartSong's Well *4 Adirondack Chairs with Side Table *Hammock *Swing *Emergency First Aid Kit *Fire Extinguisher *Solar in Ground Lights for easy navigation during the nighttime hours There is an old gold mine on the back side of the property as well as a 30' waterfall. The canal (said to have been built by the Chinese workers during the Gold Rush) winds through the entire property. HartSong Ranch Animal Sanctuary, a 30-acre facility, is a 100% volunteer, 501(c)(3) non- profit organization and home to 60+ rescue animals. Some are blind - others have physical challenges - most are trauma survivors. Our mission is to provide a landscape of quiet and tranquility for the animals that live within our gates – a sanctuary where they can enjoy nature, peace of mind and suffer no more. There is an old gold mine on the back side of the property as well as a 30' waterfall. Off the ranch adventures are also abundant in the Sierra Nevada foothills surrounding HartSong Ranch. *The Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park – a 14 mile drive from your campsite, features a museum, restored historic buildings and costumed volunteers. Gold was discovered here at Sutter’s Mill in 1848, sparking the California Gold Rush. *The American River Confluence (North Fork and Middle Fork merge) – a 10 mile drive from your campsite. The drive down the canyon to the American River is beautifully picturesque. Over 100 miles of hiking trails, pristine swimming holes and white water opportunities are available for those of you in search of adrenaline laced activities. *Coloma, California – world famous for its white water rafting excursions – a 14 mile drive from your campsite. *Lotus, California - The Coloma-Lotus Valley is the major destination of the South Fork, shaped by the American River today as in 1848. Three riverfront parks provide opportunities for family picnics and wading, and Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park brings California’s history to life. While in Lotus, please make a point to stop in at Sierra Rizing Bakery, Coffeehouse and Cafe – located in the beautiful Coloma & Lotus river valley just steps from the South Fork of the American River. They feature small-batch local artisan-roasted coffees, fresh bakery goods, breakfast and lunch fare, as well as specialty drinks, beer, and local wines. They also offer a beautiful outdoor patio that is dog friendly. Dogs are also welcome inside the cafe. For those interested to tour the sanctuary grounds, meet many of the rescue animals living within our gates and, take a short hike to the secret, glorious waterfall, please be certain to book a tour (see EXTRAS to book a private tour). HartSong co-founders, Jim and Kathy Hart, are both former professional musicians so there’s nothing more delightful to our ears than to hear acoustic kumbaya moments around a campfire. We do, however, most graciously request “quiet time” at the campsite after 10PM.

Luxurious Glamping In Apple Hill

1 site · Lodging23 acres · Camino, CA

Enjoy the sounds of nature and rushing water as you sleep comfortably in the woods. Enjoy the lush grounds with a pond and gardens. On-site restrooms with shower. BBQ and food prep area available. Sit on the front porch over looking a waterfall. This is the only tent on the property so you will have a lot of privacy. Visit local farms, wineries, and lakes, then sleep peacefully in a luxurious tent.

Camp Nauvoo

24 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents86 acres · Placerville, CA

Camp Nauvoo was originally bought by the LDS church in the 1960's for a girl's camp. The camp was owned by the Boy Scouts from 2011-2015. The Rose family bought the property in 2016 with the intent to continue the tradition of tent camping as well as creating opportunities for exclusive events i.e., group/family reunions, weddings and corporate events. We are a small privately owned small campground (20 sites only) located on the outskirts of Placerville. The property features 86.5 secluded Tahoe like acres with beautiful year-round Weber Creek. The camp sites are placed along the creek or the bluff overlooking the creek. We have traditional dirt camping, canvas tents on platforms, teepees and glamping tents for those that want the comforts of home. We are tent camping only with only one site that allows a small travel trailer or van. (#14) . We are dog friendly and allow dogs in all but 5 glamping sites. We do enforce camp rules especially our quiet time between 10 PM and 7 AM (please review). We’ve been told that we have a “family camp” vibe. We are a great place for families wanting a safe environment for their kids but also several group sites for those that want to hang out together with multiple families. We are also a great base site for those wilderness enthusiasts with access to all the El Dorado National Forest including Desolation but want a hot shower at the end of the day. We have a lodge that is stocked with games and a ping pong table. The lodge has a microwave, Keurig machine and a hot water kettle for those hot drinks (BYO Cups).We have several tables set up for those that want to eat inside as well as multiple picnic tables along the side of the lodge with overhead protection. We have electricity at the at the lodge for small appliances and charging phones. We have a compressor on site to blow up your air mattresses or float toys. We’ve been told that our bathrooms are the “cleanest” ever and have changing tables and diaper pails. We offer nice flushing toilets and hot showers! We have many extra amenities including a compressor to use for your air mattresses, For outdoor activities we have basketball, volleyball, pickleball and cornhole not to mention the playground with swing sets, seesaw and tractor play. We have hiking trails throughout the property. Our highlight is a camp fire bowl with bench seating with a stage to display camper talent which is perfect for the evening fire and roasting s’mores (bring the fixings). The creek starts out in spring looking like a rushing river featuring many fishing and swimming holes. As the summer progresses the water level falls but is still great for water play and fishing. We have propane BBQs (we provide the propane for BBQs) located throughout the property. We also have a propane grill and charcoal BBQ located in the common area for all to use. There is a dutch oven pit also in the fire bowl area. We do not allow wood fires at the individual sites but each site has a propane firepit for ambiance (not cooking) that requires you to purchase a 20 lb. propane cannister on site (add in extras) or pay cash on site. No internet service. There is limited internet only available for purchases at the setore. We require a 3 night minimum for the major holidays - Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. We do not do checkins on Sunday but do allow camping over Sunday night. We do exclusive events so you may need to explore multiple weekends to find the right reservation. We are located in the foothills so we are a short hop to many local attractions that include river rafting, gold mines, wineries and historical towns with great eating establishments. Tahoe is less than an hour away and there a many hiking trails within 20-30 minutes. We have a limited number of items to rent i.e, tents, cots, camp stoves, etc. We rent a battery pack for those that use a cpap. We also have a small store on site for those items you forgot and a good selection of ice cream and ice. We take venmo or cash. CHECKIN IS BETWEEN 4 AND 8. IF YOU ARE COMING FROM THE BAY ALLOW 4 HOURS - YOU MUST LEAVE BY 3:00 IN ORDER TO ARRIVE DURING CHECKIN. IF YOU GET DELAYED, FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE OTHER CAMPERS YOU MAY CONSIDER WAITING AND ARRIVING THE NEXT MORNING. THERE ARE NO CHECKINS AFTER 9:00.

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(252)

Tahoe National Forest

Graniteville, California

91%

(64)

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

Mono City, California

93%

(165)

Stanislaus National Forest

Strawberry, California

92%

(12)

Auburn State Recreation Area

North Auburn, California

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Waterfall camping in Lake Tahoe guide

Overview

Straddling the California and Nevada border, North America’s largest and second deepest Alpine lake is also one of its prettiest, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and towering pine forests. With 72 miles of shoreline, beaches and coves, charming towns, miles of hiking trails and bike paths, and 15 area ski resorts, nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to keep them occupied year-round. There are a wide range of Lake Tahoe camping options for every type of camper—from tent sites and full hookup RV sites with lake views to cabins and yurts in the woods.

Where to go

South Shore

The South Shore is home to lively South Lake Tahoe, full of restaurants, shops, lodging options, and casinos across the state line. Options include the opportunity to stay in a tent, RV, or cabin, many of which come complete with picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, hot showers, and dump stations. Just outside of town, historic Camp Richardson offers tent and RV sites and cabins, along with sports rentals from bikes, kayaks, and paddleboards to snowshoes and cross-country skis. Near the Tallac Historic Site, find the Fallen Leaf Campground with campsites and yurts in the woods just north of Fallen Leaf Lake.

West Shore

The West Shore is home to some of the most scenic Lake Tahoe campgrounds and parks, including Emerald Bay State Park. Camp at Eagle Point Campground, on a promontory overlooking the bay, or spend the night at a boat-in campground right on the shore. D.L. Bliss State Park offers several campgrounds, including one near Lester Beach. Additional public options include the Meeks Bay Campground and the campground at Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park. To escape the crowds, head into Desolation Wilderness in Eldorado National Forest.

North Shore

The North Shore stretches from Tahoe City to Incline Village and includes several charming towns in between, with shops, restaurants, and beaches. Just south of Tahoe City, William Kent Campground offers yurts, cabins, and tent sites, while Kaspian Campgrounds offers tent-only campsites. Camp right by the lake at the Tahoe State Recreation Area, or head inland from Lake Tahoe to find camping options along the Truckee River toward Truckee and high up on Mount Rose.

East Shore

The east shore is Tahoe’s least developed area, home to the popular Sand Harbor beach and East Shore trail on the northern end. Halfway down the shore, find camping options near Spooner Lake in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, including backcountry cabins and three developed hike-in campgrounds. Further south, Zephyr Cove Resort offers cabins, tent and RV sites, and scenic lake cruises. Near Stateline, camp with your motorhome or pitch a tent within walking distance of the lake and amenities at Nevada Beach Campground.

East Shore

The east shore is Tahoe’s least developed area, home to the popular Sand Harbor beach and East Shore trail on the northern end. Halfway down the shore, find camping options near Spooner Lake in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, including backcountry cabins and three developed hike-in campgrounds. Further south, Zephyr Cove Resort offers cabins, tent and RV sites, and scenic lake cruises. Near Stateline, camp with your motorhome or pitch a tent within walking distance of the lake and amenities at Nevada Beach Campground.