Camping

Business Listings for Camping -- Please Select -- ------------------------------------------ Valley ------------------------------------------ Gold Country ------------------------------------------ High Sierra

In the nation’s top 20 National Forests for recreation, the Tahoe provides outdoor activities year round. During spring, summer, or fall, the Forest offers hiking, camping, boating, horseback-riding, hunting, fishing or sightseeing. In the winter months, the Forest’s high Sierra terrain busily accommodates many alpine and Nordic skiers, along with snowmobile and snow play enthusiasts.

Camping opportunities in a variety of settings – from high country backpacking to lake- or riverside campgrounds – are abundant on this Forest. Camping backpacker-style with no constructed facilities, like in the Granite Chief Wilderness area, allows one to really “get away from it all” and explore the abundant flora and fauna of our National Forest. For those who need to stay a little closer to home, camping in one of the 76 designated campgrounds with assorted facilities such as bathrooms, running water, fire pits, picnic tables and bear-resistant storage lockers is a great option.

There are also boat-in campgrounds, some equipped as developed campgrounds, and others in the wilderness style. Some undeveloped areas accommodate overnight equestrian use, and all campgrounds welcome pets that are kept quiet and under control. There are 12 group campgrounds on the Forest, which require advance reservations, for large gatherings like family reunions and Scout troop campouts. Most developed campgrounds are now equipped for wheelchair accessibility. All sites are appropriate for tent camping and a good number can also accommodate RV’s. The Tahoe National Forest is in the process of installing bear-resistant lockers at all the most popular campsites.

Day use areas, often adjacent to campgrounds, offer picnic sites, and in some locations, interpretive and nature trails or historical sites. The Forest maintains 23 day-use areas and 15 boating sites.

For more detailed information on specific camping sites, or on camping in the National Forest in general, please visit the Tahoe National Forest website: www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe.