The best family-friendly glamping near Kirkwood, California

South of Lake Tahoe, the small resort town of Kirkwood is centered around the Kirkwood Ski Resort. Its location along the Sierra Crest ensures some of the deepest and driest snow in the region, while the resort’s more than 2,000 acres of extreme terrain make it a local favorite. In the summer, the resort offers lift-assisted mountain biking, hiking, and disc golf. Surrounded by alpine lakes and national forests, boating, paddling, fishing, rock climbing, and horseback riding are also popular activities. Plenty of scenic campgrounds can be found just a short distance away, particularly for those who enjoy camping near a lake or in the forest.

98% (2.3K)

Top-rated campgrounds

South of Lake Tahoe, the small resort town of Kirkwood is centered around the Kirkwood Ski Resort. Its location along the Sierra Crest ensures some of the deepest and driest snow in the region, while the resort’s more than 2,000 acres of extreme terrain make it a local favorite. In the summer, the resort offers lift-assisted mountain biking, hiking, and disc golf. Surrounded by alpine lakes and national forests, boating, paddling, fishing, rock climbing, and horseback riding are also popular activities. Plenty of scenic campgrounds can be found just a short distance away, particularly for those who enjoy camping near a lake or in the forest.

98% (2.3K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. L.Davis Ranch and Olde LYFE Alpacas

96%

(255)

40mi from Kirkwood · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Carson City, NV

We sit on 130 acres of primarily pasture over looking Washoe Valley and Washoe Lake. Olde LYFE Alpacas offers visits with the animals, including an organized 60 min Peaceful Walk with an alpaca where you’ll experience them up close. There is a small retail store on site with a variety of products made with alpaca fiber, including the most delightful alpaca socks!! The ranch store is self serve mostly. There are price sheets and payment methods listed!

2. Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

97%

(355)

32mi from Kirkwood · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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.

3. Unplug for nature, dogs, and kids

98%

(26)

39mi from Kirkwood · 3 sites · Lodging · Mokelumne Hill, CA

Do you love nature and need a peaceful getaway? Love hanging out with family and friends, watching the kids run around and being free? Or how about letting your fur babies sniff their hearts out in a private but still close-to-everything setting? Group camping or Solo glamping Retreat property … Located in Calaveras County, just outside Mokelumne Hill and Mountain Ranch, gold country, our Cozy Cabin offers 5.5 acres of outdoor escape. Enjoy your drink of choice next to a warm campfire or inside next to the wood-burning stove. Private cabin with one comfy queen bed, a blowup mattress for small kids, or one adult inside, and others can tent camp outside. Maximum of 6 people per booking, with an additional $25 per night for those exceeding the first 6 guests (Hipcamp insurance requires this). Property is monitored by security camera. Unplug from the screen and enjoy family time over a board game or a hand in cards. Cell towers provide internet access, but there is No WIFI (on purpose). Close by River Day use at Vox Beach on Electra Rd. or in Clements on N Mcintire Rd. Both provide bathrooms, parking, picnic options, and access to the Mokelumne River for lounging, kayaking, rafting, and water play. GoCalaveras . com will give you more info on local events, hiking trails, outdoor recreation, wineries, shopping, festivals, events, and attractions to do while visiting. Close-by lakes for fishing, swimming, picnics, etc. include Camanche, New Hogan, Emery Reservoir, and New Melones. We are on the backside of Murphys, Arnold, and Angels Camp to explore wine tasting and stroll around. It's about a 30-minute drive on back roads, but you pop up in the heart of Murphy's near parking behind Main Street. Nearby towns offer afternoon craft fairs, car shows, farmers market, etc. Small historic sites are nearby in Cave City, Mokelumne Museum, and old town San Andres with a Saloon and a performing arts theater. In the evenings, gather around the fire pit and bring out the movie projector and grill on either the propane or Weber. Our add on options: $8 per bundle of firewood $15 for extra supplies of tent and air mattress $25 per night tent use $48 per night for Van sleeping quarters, needs advance notice for set up

4. Cosumnes River Ranch

99%

(1896)

48mi from Kirkwood · 27 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Plymouth, CA

We are a family owned/operated ranch, located along the Cosumnes River, one of the last un-dammed rivers in California. As one of the last rivers flowing from the west slope of the Sierra without a major dam, the Cosumnes is a vital example of a healthy watershed. Our goal is to offer a unique outdoor experience for anyone looking for a place to spend time in the great outdoors. Whether you're looking for a single campsite, or a place for a larger gathering, we're excited to have you visit! Take your pick of activities available on site: swimming , gold panning, fishing, camp fires, wildlife watching, floating, hiking, and mountain biking to name a few. There are 3 miles of river to explore. *Please note: We don't allow wood campfires during the summer months (generally the last week of May through September)*

5. Camp Nauvoo

98%

(1173)

37mi from Kirkwood · 25 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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 set . 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 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.

Stories from the community

Jessica

2 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

Wow what an absolutely beautiful property. Rachel and Jon are very kind and helpful. We enjoyed a few hours of hiking around the property. Loved seeing so much wild life and the sweet cows that graze around the property. I can see why summer would be a more enjoyable time to visit. We stayed in cabin # 2 and although a very beautiful spot and cabin, For the $480 for 2 nights price I was surprised there wasn’t sheets/blankets or a propane stove or bbq or some way to cook food. so make sure you bring anything necessary to cook food and linens and blankets for the bed. There is a fire pit outside but no grill or way to cook food. It does have a wood stove inside as a heat source so make sure you also bring firewood especially in the colder months.

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Tim

2 weeks ago

With pets

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

Lovely site great hiking and swimming, cabin was great, bed comfy. One addition I'd like to see would be some hooks/pegs to hang up towels, clothes etc. thank you, we had a wonderful weekend!

Kara

3 weeks ago

With pets

2 nights at L.Davis Ranch and Olde LYFE Alpacas

Lovely, quiet place to camp, and of course the alpacas made it even more special. The heater made the tent plenty warm even though it was early November. Close to Carson and Virginia City, so we were able to explore. We would definitely return!

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Zarah

November 2025

With kids

1 night at Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

We stayed here to celebrate my husband’s birthday with our 9-month-old, and it was such a wonderful experience. We loved that we could upgrade provisions, we used the propane tank for the fire pit and the pour-over coffee setup, which came with freshly roasted beans (amazing!). The whole place has this relaxing, no-nonsense vibe that we really appreciated. We went during the fall, and it was so beautiful seeing the vines changing color. The electric blanket made our night cozy and comfortable even when it got chilly. Aaron was outstanding. His hospitality, knowledge, and genuine passion for his craft really stood out. We enjoyed wine tasting, hanging out in the “vincade,” and my husband watched a bit of Monday Night Football! The wine was fantastic, and we were so impressed we ended up joining the wine club. The yurt was spacious and comfy, the bed was great, and there was plenty of room for our daughter to crawl around. The portapotty was clean, and everything felt thoughtfully maintained. Just an overall relaxing, memorable trip. Can’t wait to come back!

Kay

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

Beautiful surroundings, this site was very private and peaceful. The host was very accommodating and the ability to order extras was much appreciated! We had an amazing breakfast with coffee and breakfast tacos as well as an awesome charcuterie board. We wished we could have stayed longer.

Ashley

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

We loved our 2nd stay at this spot! It’s so peaceful and comfortable in the yurt. The owner is over accommodating and his wines are top tier!! Close to all the other wineries near by, would stay here again and again. Oh also the sunsets are majestic.

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Billy

September 2025

1 night at Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

My son and I had a great time camping here. The tent and camping area was great, lots of space and beautiful views. Our host was great as well. Highly recommend!

Jacob

September 2025

2 nights at L.Davis Ranch and Olde LYFE Alpacas

This is a cute and charming glamping experience. You will be lovingly embraced by the furry creatures on the ranch. The glamping tent included a heating unit which worked great, as well as a barbecue grill, amble, flashlights, water, solar powered outlets to charge our phones, and much more. The breakfast was delicious, and the jams in the country store were great too. We happened to be there on a day where there was an alpaca festival, and that was so much fun. We also witnessed an alpaca giving birth. Stacy was super accommodating. We also got to meet some of the other farmers like Jim and Nancy, who is also a holistic energy healing practitioner and sound healer. We also had a really great sleep in nature.

Morgan

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Cosumnes River Ranch

Exceeded our expectations! The swimming hole was beautiful and the river was great for kayaking. It is shared with the other cabin so it’s a great spot to get with friends and rent both out. We got lucky and the second cabin wasn’t occupied. It is very private and quiet. The bed was very comfortable. There was a portable toilet really close which was super convenient! We went to the pond near by and caught a couple huge bass! It sure is a hidden gem. Can’t wait to go back!

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Jenith

September 2025

With kids

3 nights at Camp Nauvoo

We love glamping at Camp Nauvoo! The camp owner and hosts are always super friendly and go out of their way to make sure we enjoy our time! We go for my birthday and Greg always is so sweet by giving me a cupcake during the campfire time! The glamping tents are well taken care of, the restrooms and showers clean and there is plenty to explore! We loved watching the deer and turkeys that come into the meadow. We will definitely be back!

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Kelsy

September 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Unplug for nature, dogs, and kids

Had a wonderful time at this site! From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by how open and spacious the property is. There’s so much room to spread out, relax, and really take in the natural beauty of the area. Whether you’re coming with family, a group of friends, or bringing your dogs along, this place has the perfect setup to make everyone feel at home and comfortable. The cabin was clean, cozy, and incredibly well-stocked with everything we needed — you can really tell a lot of thought and care has gone into making it feel welcoming. The site also offers a great selection of games and activities, which kept both the kids and adults happily entertained for hours. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. Steven and Michelle were so kind and super responsive to any questions or needs we had. Looking forward to booking again in the future !

I could definitely live here. Photo by Nic Castellanos.

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Ed

September 2025

3 nights at Camp Nauvoo

Nice tent with. amenities. The organic restaurant in town is much appreciated. Being close to Placerville is great. Bring your friends and family for a weekend with lots of lawn games available. Just be sure to bring extra lights and flashlights.

Tom

September 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp Nauvoo

The teepee met and exceeded my expectation. My 6 year old thought is was amazing. Wasn’t overly busy and the camp host, Katie, and the owner, Greg made the time enjoyable.

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Jay

September 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp Nauvoo

Loved our experience (2nd time) in the bell tent! All we needed to bring were (warm) sleeping bags. We found some plank wood pieces to prop up the cots as the ground is on a slightly incline and slept very comfortably once we got the set up right. Loved the proximity to bathroom, food storage, bbq, river, playground, etc. esp with young kids.

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Rhonda

August 2025

5 nights at Unplug for nature, dogs, and kids

We loved our time at the cabin. The trees provided a wonderful respite from the heat. We had deer drinking at the stream nearly every day. The thoughtful touches that Steven and Michelle have put into the both the cabin and the surrounding area made our vacation very special.

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Babak

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp Nauvoo

Pretty nice place with friendly staff. Lovely creek and beautiful landscape. The glamping part was particularly very nice. We will go back for sure!

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Jessica

August 2025

Weekend Trip to Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

Beautiful site with a great host! We learned so much during the wine tasting and loved getting to stay onsite and waking up next to the grape vines!

Casandra

August 2025

With pets

3 nights at Unplug for nature, dogs, and kids

Everything about this place is amazing. Fully stocked with everything you could need, outdoor shower was my favorite part, quiet, tons of firewood, a platform to do yoga on, and the dogs could roam. 🩷 Blissfully way to disconnect.

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Daniel

August 2025

2 nights at Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

First time ever to camp beyond a wine vineyard, A gorgeous place to watch the night sky and watch shooting stars will definitely be coming back to this place such a serenity.

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Greg

August 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Unplug for nature, dogs, and kids

Love it. They just added a new deck that is awesome for hanging or for tents. No signal, thank goodness.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best family-friendly glamping near Kirkwood guide

Where to go

Kirkwood and Carson Pass Area

Several camping options can be found just outside of Kirkwood, including developed forest service campgrounds at Caples Lake, Kirkwood Lake, Silver Lake, and Woods Lake, and PG&E campgrounds at Blue Lakes. Further east, the Hope Valley, Kit Carson, and Crystal Springs campgrounds are situated along the west fork of the Carson River. For hot springs and camping, head to Grover Hot Springs State Park, near Markleeville. Additional campsites can be found at the BLM-run Indian Creek Reservoir and Turtle Rock County Park.

National Forests

Kirkwood is surrounded by the Eldorado National Forest, which offers nearly 600,000 acres of forest, lakes, and fishable rivers and streams, in addition to more than 50 developed campgrounds and plenty of dispersed camping options. Two wilderness areas, Mokelumne just south of Kirkwood and Desolation to the north, in particular offer excellent backcountry camping options. Additional camping options can be found in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest to the east of Kirkwood, and the Stanislaus National Forest, further south.

Lake Tahoe

Kirkwood is just 35 miles south of scenic Lake Tahoe, with its 72 miles of shoreline. Dozens of beaches, parks, and great camping options surround the lake. For easy access to the lake and amenities, head to Campground by the Lake and historic Camp Richardson near South Lake Tahoe, or Nevada Beach and Zephyr Cove on the Nevada side of the lake. Or spend the night overlooking Emerald Bay at Eagle Point, or by the beach at D.L. Bliss State Park. Fallen Leaf Lake also offers a campground and yurts. Additional options can be found on the west and north shore of the lake.

When to go

Winter is the most popular time at Kirkwood, with most visitors drawn by the abundant snowfall and quality terrain. Camping options are very limited over the winter, and storms can shut down roads and passes. Summer is another popular time to visit for mountain biking. The Markleeville Death Ride is held every July. Visit in the spring for wildflowers and fall for golden aspens, particularly around Hope Valley and the Monitor Pass area.

Know before you go

Kirkwood is situated at 7,800 feet. Other recreation areas and campsites in the region are at higher elevations. Be aware of potential altitude issues.
There is no public transportation to Kirkwood. You’ll want a vehicle to explore the area. In winter, an AWD/4WD drive vehicle and chains are a must.
Campfire permits are required outside of developed campgrounds. Fire restrictions may limit or prohibit fires entirely.
Be bear aware, especially when camping. Store food and other attractants in a bear-proof container away from your tent.
Fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 or over in California and 18 and over in Nevada.