The best desert camping in Lake Tahoe

·

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. 

87% (299)

Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Tahoe

3. Natural Time Retreat Center...

1 site · RV · Gardnerville Ranchos, NV
Gardnerville Ranchos is a desert oasis located at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains forty minutes from Lake Tahoe. Our property is biking distance from the East Fork Carson River. The Ranchos is a small retirement community within walking distance of our local bowling alley where you can take (free) transit to Lake Tahoe, Carson City, and Reno. Carons Hotsprings and Wally's Hotsprings are both accessible through community (Dart) Transit as well. With the help of my Father Steve, Sandy Gibson built the House of Gibson in 1983/1984. We are on one acre with an orchard, trees, and a pond. My parents (Steve and Sandy) passed in 2021; We are currently busy with restoring the property. Our neighborhood is safe and quiet. Drop in and stay for a spell... Highland Regards, Jason G. Gibson Gibson Core Family
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from 
$40
 / night

6. Sunshine, Serenity and Sierras

96%
(37)
1 site · Tent, RV · Reno, NV
We love to pass our free time here in the sunshine and juniper drafts overlooking the Sierras. Some days we watch the electric storms across the valley, other afternoons we picnic and nap while listening to the birds and wind.  We love the peace and silence, which feels remarkably remote and only 20 minutes from Reno.  Learn more about this land: We would love to share our 12 junipered acres with nature enthusiasts like ourselves. Bring your tent or camper and spend afternoons watching beautiful sunsets and wildlife from our land.  Spectacular expansive views across the valley to the Sierras and Mount Rose.  Conveniently 15 minutes from South Reno (40 minutes from North Lake Tahoe), the silence and absolute privacy here are restorative and replenishing.  We do not have trash collection services available and we ask all guest to practice a “leave no trace” philosophy.  **Because of extreme fire risk in our area we ask guests to refrain from having campfires for now. As this area is home to beautiful wildlife (and a few other distant homeowners) please visit with an intent to respect the quiet and privacy that makes this area so pleasurable for us all.  Thanks for visiting and enjoy your time!  
Pets
Picnic table
from 
$131
 / night

7. Historic Santosh Ranch In Yerington

100%
(5)
12 sites · Tents, RVs · Yerington, NV
Rustic ranch land only a stone's throw away from town. The historic Santosh Ranch is surrounding a 3,700 s/f warehouse "Shop" with a hot indoor shower available upon request. The Ecozoic bio-filter toilet is next to the red barn, and is available to all Hip Campers. We are walking distance to Lyon County Fairgrounds (kitty corner across the highway), the town of Yerington (one mile) and the Night in the Country location (two miles). There are a half dozen corrals and a few animal shelters, but has not had animals for years. Hip Campers can choose to back into one of the corral areas to have fenced off privacy especially with pets, and use of the animal shelter as shade. There are a pair of picnic tables and wood stump benches in the various camping areas. There is a fire pit behind the Shop that can only be used by the owner when it is not high-risk fire season. Also a gas stove BBQ in the shop. Both can be used upon request. We are in a high risk fire area so there are no fires allowed any time of the year unless indicated. There are relics from the 19th century when the Santosh Ranch was a working farm property. There is also the frame of one of the first automobiles ever built! The wheel spokes and the frame are made of wood, but the chassis where the engine one rested is made of steel. It is located next to the Ecozoic toilet.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$20
 / night

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. 

87% (299)

Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Tahoe

3. Natural Time Retreat Center...

1 site · RV · Gardnerville Ranchos, NV
Gardnerville Ranchos is a desert oasis located at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains forty minutes from Lake Tahoe. Our property is biking distance from the East Fork Carson River. The Ranchos is a small retirement community within walking distance of our local bowling alley where you can take (free) transit to Lake Tahoe, Carson City, and Reno. Carons Hotsprings and Wally's Hotsprings are both accessible through community (Dart) Transit as well. With the help of my Father Steve, Sandy Gibson built the House of Gibson in 1983/1984. We are on one acre with an orchard, trees, and a pond. My parents (Steve and Sandy) passed in 2021; We are currently busy with restoring the property. Our neighborhood is safe and quiet. Drop in and stay for a spell... Highland Regards, Jason G. Gibson Gibson Core Family
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from 
$40
 / night

6. Sunshine, Serenity and Sierras

96%
(37)
1 site · Tent, RV · Reno, NV
We love to pass our free time here in the sunshine and juniper drafts overlooking the Sierras. Some days we watch the electric storms across the valley, other afternoons we picnic and nap while listening to the birds and wind.  We love the peace and silence, which feels remarkably remote and only 20 minutes from Reno.  Learn more about this land: We would love to share our 12 junipered acres with nature enthusiasts like ourselves. Bring your tent or camper and spend afternoons watching beautiful sunsets and wildlife from our land.  Spectacular expansive views across the valley to the Sierras and Mount Rose.  Conveniently 15 minutes from South Reno (40 minutes from North Lake Tahoe), the silence and absolute privacy here are restorative and replenishing.  We do not have trash collection services available and we ask all guest to practice a “leave no trace” philosophy.  **Because of extreme fire risk in our area we ask guests to refrain from having campfires for now. As this area is home to beautiful wildlife (and a few other distant homeowners) please visit with an intent to respect the quiet and privacy that makes this area so pleasurable for us all.  Thanks for visiting and enjoy your time!  
Pets
Picnic table
from 
$131
 / night

7. Historic Santosh Ranch In Yerington

100%
(5)
12 sites · Tents, RVs · Yerington, NV
Rustic ranch land only a stone's throw away from town. The historic Santosh Ranch is surrounding a 3,700 s/f warehouse "Shop" with a hot indoor shower available upon request. The Ecozoic bio-filter toilet is next to the red barn, and is available to all Hip Campers. We are walking distance to Lyon County Fairgrounds (kitty corner across the highway), the town of Yerington (one mile) and the Night in the Country location (two miles). There are a half dozen corrals and a few animal shelters, but has not had animals for years. Hip Campers can choose to back into one of the corral areas to have fenced off privacy especially with pets, and use of the animal shelter as shade. There are a pair of picnic tables and wood stump benches in the various camping areas. There is a fire pit behind the Shop that can only be used by the owner when it is not high-risk fire season. Also a gas stove BBQ in the shop. Both can be used upon request. We are in a high risk fire area so there are no fires allowed any time of the year unless indicated. There are relics from the 19th century when the Santosh Ranch was a working farm property. There is also the frame of one of the first automobiles ever built! The wheel spokes and the frame are made of wood, but the chassis where the engine one rested is made of steel. It is located next to the Ecozoic toilet.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$20
 / night

Camper favorites in and near Lake Tahoe

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Nearby public parks

Browse national and state parks near Lake Tahoe

Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best desert camping in Lake Tahoe guide

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.