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The best camping near Tahoe National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Tahoe adventure.

The best camping near Tahoe National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Tahoe adventure.

Camping near Tahoe National Forest

93% (252 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Tahoe adventure.

Though the lake isn’t in the forest’s boundary, you can see it in panoramic views.  

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Tahoe National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Tahoe National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Tahoe National Forest

89%
(36)

Sugarpine Slopes at Grouse Ridge

6 sites ¡ RVs, Tents40 acres ¡ Nevada City, CA
It is on this property that I saw my first grouse. Also look for warblers-notably Audubon's and the Hermit Warblers- along with the White-headed Woodpecker. You will likely hear a Pileated Woodpecker and if you are lucky you will see one Learn more about this land: Welcome to Sugarpine Slopes. The Sugarpine has the longest cones in the world and many birds and mammals like the pine nuts and use the tree for habitat. This is a spring through fall place only. There is no winter access. The property is at 5800 feet.  Depending on the weather the road may close from Nov 15th to May 15th.  The road on the property is a dirt road.  All wheel drive or 4WD vehicles recommended although the lower section could be accessed by most vehicles. Shorter trailers allowed at Site A. Site 3 can also accommodate a small teardrop-style trailer The property is totally undeveloped at this time. It is a wildlife corridor for deer and bear (keep all food contained), the mountain quail and the blue grouse. Keep your eyes open for the Hermit Warbler, Audubon's Warbler, and our gorgeous visitor from the tropics the Western Tanager. You are likely to hear the Pileated Woodpecker and if you are lucky you will see it and its red crest in an undulating flight through the trees. The property has a lovely west facing slope which climbs gradually at first then more steeply to the top of the property. We have drive-in camping on the lower section.  There is one walk-in site at the top of the property. There is wonderful hiking nearby with several trailheads in the area within approximately 4 miles.  More information can be provided upon request.
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from 
$30
 / night
61%
(18)

Big Yeti Tiny Village

8 sites ¡ RVs, Tents1 acre ¡ Washington, CA
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. 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.
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$15
 / night
100%
(16)

The House of 13 Rainbows

4 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents4 acres ¡ Nevada City, CA
Four acres nestled in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. We are located at 4200 Ft Elevation, just 3.5 miles from the top of the mountain with 360 degree lookouts. You're about 35 minutes from Historic downtown Nevada City, only 15 minutes from many Yuba River swimming holes, and about 6 miles to the Malakoff Diggins State Park. This property is fully off-grid, run on solar and back up generator. We are technically above snow line! So if you are trying to beat the heat it is about 5-10 degrees cooler at our location! This is a peaceful oasis for you to stay why explore the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We are creating a collective community vibe for nature lovers and explorers to have a safe and beautiful place to rest and share.
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$36
 / night
99%
(277)

TerraSol

2 sites ¡ Lodging40 acres ¡ Nevada City, CA
I’ve had the pleasure to be the “caretaker” of this special land once inhabited by the Maidu Indians for the past 43 years. This is SPECIAL ground here and I’m sure you will feel the MAGIC!!! This 40 acres sits on the Yuba River Ridgetop. At the "Platform of Pleasure" you will enjoy 100,000+ acre views of protected land looking North to the High Sierra, minutes away from downtown Nevada City and 8-10 miles from Yuba River Trailheads. Firewood bundles are $15 per bundle (2+ hours of campfire when campfires 🔥 are allowed). There is a $10.00 dog fee per dog/per stay. On our property like anywhere in the woods there are mosquitos, so you should bring bug spray. We offer a tent platform, as well as a canvas tent listing. Guests love staying here: "From the moment we arrived Chris was nothing but amazing. He helped us get settled in and even recommended some beautiful spots to hike/sight see. They are both so generous! The campsite beautiful and they did a very nice job supplying us with any materials we may need. Definitely coming back during the summer!"
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from 
$80
 / night
Booked 2 times

Mosaic Farm

1 site ¡ RV, Tent120 acres ¡ Nevada City, CA
Mosaic is a former horse ranch turned art and science community. We are on a mountain ridge in the middle of Tahoe National Forest, and have gorgeous views. We have a sauna, heated private outdoor showers, sinks, and bougie composting toilets. Also an inside flush toilet if you're into that kind of thing. The campground has a shared kitchen area with BBQ's, refrigerators, sinks, etc...
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from 
$25
 / night
75%
(4)

Blue Canyon Happy Place

1 site ¡ RV, Tent3 acres ¡ Alta, CA
Discover the gorgeous landscape Retreat & Relax at the Off-Grid Getaway, a beautifully cleared and level open area surrounds with forest views, walking trails, and fire pit. Chairs and table are provided for your comfort. Come pitch your tent or park your RV! No visible neighbors make this a wonderful secluded getaway. Just 20 min to great hiking trails and the famous Emerald Pools in Emigrant Gap and 30 min to Truckee. Pet friendly. The space Entire property is for exclusive guest use. Guest access Most of the road in is paved and the last mile or so is a dirt and gravel road. No 4×4 access required as long as there is no snow. Property is located at 5,000 feet in elevation. Large parking area. Detailed directions and map location are provided as there is no numbered address for the property. Other things to note This property is on forest land and black bears do reside in the area. Secure food and trash storage is provided and required to be used. This site includes porta potties and hand washing station. Historical train tracks in the area and train runs during the day, occasionally at night. Ear plugs provided In the event of large snowstorm, if roads are not yet plowed, reservation may be cancelled and fully refunded.
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from 
$50
 / night
95%
(1686)

Finnon Lake Recreation Area

39 sites ¡ RVs, Tents140 acres ¡ Placerville, CA
*BOOK EARLY* The campground is closed until April 1st. **NO FIREWORKS OF ANY KIND ALLOWED***** DINER CLOSED EFFECTIVE JULY 5TH*** **TRAILERS AND RVs MUST USE ROCK CREEK ROAD** From Sacramento on Hwy 50: : At the second stop light, Spring St./Hwy 49, turn left, heading north about 1 block to the stop sign. Turn left, staying on Hwy 49, approximately 1 mile. Turn right on Hwy 193. Travel approximately 3.1 miles to Rock Creek Road. Turn right onto Rock Creek Road and travel 8.9 miles to Finnon Lake/Frank's Diner on the Left. The campground is behind the Diner. The DINER IS CLOSED. Traveling West on 50 from Tahoe: make a right on HWY 49 traveling north. Follow the above instructions. Welcome to Finnon Lake Recreation Area! Our lovely lake offers serenity in a beautifully unique setting, nestled deep into the forest. Enjoy the scenic and exhilarating drive to our hidden gem along the South Fork of the American River- this is all for you to discover. The night skies above Finnon Lake will reveal stars unseen in most parts of California. Enjoy searching for bullfrogs, and watch the flock of Canadian Geese fly in right at sunset as the horizon blends into the watercolor sky. This private lake supports the fire protection efforts of the Mosquito Fire Protection District and the firefighters of this community. The lake is managed by volunteers of the community for the benefit of the residents The primary funding source for the Finnon Lake Restoration is the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, which was signed into law in 2004 with a mission to support “efforts that improve the environmental, economic and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities and the residents of California,” according to its Website. Finnon Lake is also home to a popular 18-hole disc golf course and Mosquito’s only restaurant, Frank's Diner. Enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, paddling, hiking, or biking during your stay. Potable water, picnic tables, campfire rings, and toilets on site. The property can not accommodate horses. 2 dogs per site limit. Our property is located in Placerville, California. Placerville is a charming California gold rush town named after the placer gold deposits found in its riverbeds and hills in the late 1840s. PLEASE NOTE, there is construction on the Mosquito Bridge. Expect delays, RVS/trailers must use Rock Creek Road (even if your GPS says Mosquito Road). Please message me with any questions. Please see our website: finnonrecreationarea.com for full directions. NO FIREWORKS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED. Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle.
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from 
$30
 / night
95%
(145)

Camp Shady Meadow

32 sites ¡ RVs, Tents33 acres ¡ Blairsden, CA
There are so many fun activities available in the nearby Blairsden/Graeagle area (golfing, biking, hiking, fishing, autumn foliage...just to name a few). We have added two beautiful glamping tents to our already unique RV, travel trailer, and tent sites. The glamping tents are complete with carpet, a comfortable queen size mattress, luxurious linens, two homemade benches, and two camping chairs to enjoy a cool evening campfire with a view of the mountains. Please note: these glamping tents are for adults only; no children or pets. Thank you for understanding!
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from 
$45
 / night
100%
(36)

Your private Yurt in the woods

2 sites ¡ Lodging10 acres ¡ Nevada City, CA
Your private Yurt in the woods -2 miles to town! Come experience the Beauty of the Sierra foothills and the Yuba river in our Yurt tucked into the forest just 2 miles from downtown Nevada city. With a natural creek right outside your door and hiking trails right off the deck, this serene and beautiful yurt retreat awaits you. Claw foot bath tub, fire pit and large deck to relax on. Wood fired stove inside with plenty of wood stacked to keep you warm. Small functional kitchen with a hot plate, toaster oven, micro sink and fridge. We have a wood fired hot tub on-site. It requires a fire to be lit and maintained to keep it hot. During the winter the yurt is heated with a wood fired stove. It takes a few hours to warm up, and needs to be maintained during your stay to keep the place toasty. There is a lovely wood stove and plenty of firewood for you to use! The Queen bed has a heating blanket to help keep you cozy throughout the night. The hot tub Is wonderful in the winter, it is wood fired and takes several hours to heat as well.
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$130
 / night
92%
(33)

Lake Lane Waterfront Camping

8 sites ¡ RVs1 acre ¡ Nevada City, CA
Our lake property is situated directly adjacent to Scott's Flat Reservoir without any other properties between you and the lake! Enjoy the surrounding fir, cedar, and madrone trees as you watch the sunset over the water! Our property consists of 2 separate lots. The upper lot includes water, power, sewer hookups, WiFi and off street parking. The lower lot (closest to the water) does not have any hookups but has plenty of room for tent campsites. PREMIUM RV: "Lakeview Terrace": This RV Site is the larger of the 2 RV Sites. It offers a lot more open space for camp set up (table, chairs, cooking, etc.) This is the property where we keep our family's 5th wheel year round (as seen in some pictures, although we make it policy NOT to visit when RV Site #2 is booked in order to protect your privacy). STANDARD RV: "Starling's Nest": This is the smaller of the 2 RV Sites. The entire space is approximately 60'x15'. Depending on the size of your RV/Camper there is room enough to accommodate additional campsite set up. Full hookups (city water, electrical outlet (110), and sewer connection) are available beside the gravel parking pad and WiFi is provided. The lake view is filtered because of the many trees but there is easy access to the water via trails from the property or along Lake Lane. LAKESIDE TENT CAMPSITES: "Halcyon Cove" consists of 3 separate tent campsites and guests are able to set up camp wherever they like on a first come basis. There is over 1/2 acre of land adjacent to the lakeshore. City water is provided but no power or sewer hookups at this time. Come see one of the most beautiful waterfront lake spots in the Sierras.
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from 
$125
 / night
90%
(10)

Coachland RV Resort

134 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs50 acres ¡ Truckee, CA
Coachland RV Park is situated in the picturesque Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern California and is within close proximity to all the outdoor activities, shopping, and dining that Truckee, CA has to offer. Located at an elevation of 5,996 ft., Coachland RV Park welcomes visitors year-round and is a short distance from Northstar Ski Resort and Squaw Valley. During the summer, visitors can enjoy fishing and watersports on the nearby Truckee River. All the beauty that Lake Tahoe offers is just a short drive away from Coachland RV Park.
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from 
$70
 / night
100%
(31)

Bright Bear Camp in Tahoe NF

5 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres ¡ Nevada City, CA
Bright Bear Camp is a private two-acre property bordering Tahoe National Forest. We are located at 4300' elevation down a mostly dirt road along the beautiful Bear River and Bear Valley. This is a very peaceful spot among the trees with a small meadow and creek on the property. As our name suggests, bears are occasionally in the area so keep an eye out. You may also see the spotted owls that live nearby - listen closely for their calls (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Spotted_Owl/overview). There is much to explore in the area and more with only a short drive to the South Yuba River, Emerald Pools, Lake Spaulding, Donner Pass, Donner Lake, and Truckee.
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from 
$40
 / night

The best camping near Tahoe National Forest guide

Overview

About

Running along the crest of the Sierra Nevada lies 850,000 acres of forested wonderland. Ranging in elevation from 1,500 feet to 9,400 at the top of Mt. Lola, it’s easy to dial in a comfortable temperature whatever season it is. 

Climbers will be delighted to pull on some of the best climbing this side of the Sierra. Classic crags like Donner Pass and Lover’s Leap offer abundant bouldering, sport, and trad in every grade imaginable. 

One might argue there is no better swimming in Northern California than the majestic Yuba River. Its deep green pools are so clear you can see all the way to the bottom. This comes in handy when you are tempted to jump off the perfect granite cliffs that ring most of them. 

Whitewater lovers will find their paradise at the American River. The South Fork is great if you’re just starting out. Experienced paddlers may want to try the Class III and Class IV rapids of the Middle Fork. 

Don’t forget about Tahoe NF once the snow starts falling. There are miles of trails to cross-country ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile. Snowboarders will be psyched on the backcountry options at Donner Pass. You might even find a homemade jump or two.

Nearby attractions

Your North Fork of the American River camping trip will be one for the books. Nestled within the Sierra Nevada mountains, the pristine river and surrounding wilderness offer endless outdoor activities. Rafting, fishing, or simply relaxing by the riverside will fill your days with joy.

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