The Best Winter Campground At Lake Tahoe
Not only the best, but also the only campground in the Lake Tahoe area that is open in the winter. Every state park campground is closed during the winter months except this one. They close most of the campground, but still keep 16 of their 174 campsites open. There is one other camping option.
There are some United States Forest Service campgrounds around the lake. I would suggest getting the USFS and BLM campground app to find out where they are. Keep in mind that they are not regularly maintained so access may be limited by winter road conditions.
If you are headed to the snow, there are a few things you might want to bring along. All terrain tires really help get traction in the snow. If you have solar panels on your roof you will want a sturdy ladder to get up there to clear the snow off. Insulated interior window covers really help to lock the heat in your van. Finally, snow chains, recovery straps, traction boards and a shovel just in case.
Pulling In To Pay
I stopped at the kiosk, which is located right outside the unattended ranger check-in station. Cash and credit cards are accepted, but the machine does not give change. They have laminated “This Site Reserved” cards you can take to clip to your campsite post in case you are away for the day.
Before you pay though, drive around and pick a campsite. The kiosk will ask you to input your campsite number and print it on your receipt. You will get two printed receipts. The small one gets deposited at the kiosk box and the large one is for your windshield.
The road into the campground was a mix of snow, ice and wet road. Having never taken our van to the snow, I was not sure of its abilities. Going in and out of the campground multiple times during my stay, the van had no problem at all on the roads. The campground and its roads are very flat, wide and well cleared.
Ask The Ranger About Winter Camping
I pulled into the campsite area, and to my surprise, I was the only person there. I saw the ranger making her rounds in her truck so I went over to talk to her. I asked her if many people camp here in the winter. She said they usually have a few people, but this weekend’s poor weather forecast must have kept people home.
I went out to take a look around the area and when I returned there was a sprinter van and a couple of tent campers in their Subaru. They deserve a cup of hot chocolate. It got down to 29 degrees that night and their tent was pitched on the snow.
Walking The Campground
Well it was a short walk, but the campsites were cleared of snow and they all looked very level. The restroom is in the middle of the camping area and has two private flushing toilets and a sink with running water. The showers are closed in the winter. When I first arrived the restrooms were locked. Once the ranger saw I was staying she opened them up.
The campground is filled with beautiful tall pine trees dropping snow as the morning temperatures rise. If you want to hike from your campsite you may want to bring some snow shoes. The snow was up to my knees. The snow definitely limits your camping area, but hey…thats what you get when you snow camp. Be careful walking on the campground roads as they get very icy and slippery.
My Top Campsite Picks
All of the campsites are very flat and the snow had been removed. Some give you more space to the sides that others and a few have good sun exposure for your solar panels and general warmth. The picture above is campsite 4.
Big parking pads: 71,72,73. 74,75. 26,27
The best sun exposure: 26, 27, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75
Open Season
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- Year round.
Amenities And More
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- Restrooms.
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- Picnic tables.
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- Fire ring. Bring a shovel if you want to sit around it.
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- Bear box. Bears are active day and night.
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- Very level paved parking aprons. (Leveling Blocks Review)
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- Sites are first come first serve in the winter.
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- 20 miles to South Lake Tahoe.
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- 24 miles to Truckee.
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- Elevation 6,200 feet / 1,890 meters.
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- 2 vehicles per site. Second vehicle pays a fee.
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- Generator hours 10am to 8pm.
Winter Camping Fees
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- $25 for campsite and for one vehicle.
- $5 extra vehicle per night.
- Check-in is 2pm with a 12pm check-out.
Additional Winter Camping Nearby
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- There are no other winter campgrounds at Lake Tahoe
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- If you use the USFS and BLM campground app, you can find free national forrest land campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe area. Accessibility is not guaranteed in the winter.
Local Things To See And Do
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- Hike to Emerald Bay from Eagle Point Campground.
Cell Signal
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- Verizon – 2 bars.
Address
7360 Westlake Blvd., Tahoma, CA 96142
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