CampsitesCampground by the Lake
Campground by the Lake
City-run campground in the heart of South Lake Tahoe. 170 sites including RV hookups. One block from Safeway, across from El Dorado Beach. Opens May 1, 2026.
In short: Campground by the Lake is a 170-site campground on Lake Tahoe's South Shore. Sites cost $39 a night and are reserved through Recreation.gov. RV hookups are available. Pets are allowed.
City of SLT, South Shore
At a glance
- Sites
- 170
- Nightly fee
- $39
- Reservations
- Recreation.gov
- RV hookups
- Yes
- Pets
- Allowed
- Phone
- (530) 542-6096
Amenities
- Flush Toilets
- Showers
- RV Hookups
- Bike Trail Access
- Near Beach
Open sites
Checking Recreation.gov…
Within 6 miles of your site
Mountain Biking
- Powerline Trail — SLT0.3 mi
- Shoreline MTB — SLT0.8 mi
- Corral Trail Hub — SLT1.1 mi
Rock Climbing
- REI — South Lake Tahoe0.3 mi
- Sugarloaf Buttress4.7 mi
- Phantom Spires4.9 mi
Fishing
Fishing guideIce Skating
- South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena0.9 mi
- Heavenly Village Ice Rink2.5 mi
- Edgewood on Ice3.2 mi
Kayaking
- El Dorado Beach Launch1.1 mi
- Nevada Beach Drop-In3.5 mi
- Camp Richardson Watersports4.0 mi
Tubing & Sledding
- Hansen's Resort Tubing Hill1.5 mi
- Heavenly Tubing at Adventure Peak2.7 mi
- Tahoe Snowmobiles Tubing, Stateline3.1 mi
Snowmobiling & Sleigh Rides
- Tahoe Snowmobiles, Stateline3.1 mi
- Tahoe Snowmobiles, Lake Tahoe Golf Course4.0 mi
- Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Center5.4 mi
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-Country Skiing guideWildlife Watching
Wildlife Watching guidePaddleboarding
- Fallen Leaf Lake SUP4.7 mi
- Pope Beach — SUP Launch4.8 mi
- Zephyr Cove SUP5.0 mi
Where it is
South Shore of Lake Tahoe.
Nearest supplies
- REI — South Lake TahoeOutfitter, South Lake Tahoe, CA0.3 mi away
- Grocery Outlet — SLTGroceries, South Lake Tahoe, CA0.5 mi away
- Shoreline MTB ShopBike shop, South Lake Tahoe, CA0.8 mi away
- Chevron — South Lake TahoeGas, South Lake Tahoe, CA0.9 mi away
- Camp Richardson WatersportsRentals, South Lake Tahoe, CA4.0 mi away
- Tahoe City Hardware & SupplyCamping supplies, Tahoe City, CA19.2 mi away
Weather and campfire rules
- Right now
- 72°F, Sunny
- Wind
- 8 mph
- Campfires
- Metal rings only
Forest Service rule, all year: campfires are allowed only in the permanent metal rings at listed campgrounds. No fires on beaches, in wilderness or in the open forest. Forest Service campfire rules (opens in a new tab)
- TodaySunny72° 48°
- TomorrowPartly Cloudy, 10% chance of rain68° 45°
- ThuMostly Clear, 5% chance of rain74° 50°
- FriPM Storms, 75% chance of rain61° 44°
Know before you go
- Booking
- California state park campgrounds (D.L. Bliss, Emerald Bay, Sugar Pine Point) book on ReserveCalifornia. Forest Service campgrounds book on Recreation.gov. Both release sites 6 months ahead, and summer weekends go within hours.
- Bears
- Black bears visit every campground in the basin. Keep all food, coolers and anything scented in the bear box at your site, never in a tent or car.
- Campfires
- Fires are allowed only in the fire rings provided, and restrictions tighten in dry months. Check the fire status on this page before you go.
- Nights
- The lake sits at 6,225 feet. Nights can drop into the 40s even in July, so pack warm layers.
Other campgrounds on the South Shore
- Fallen Leaf Lake Campground206 sites, $30 a night
- Camp Richardson — RV Village98 sites, $55 a night
Ready to book?
Reservations for Campground by the Lake are made on cityofslt.gov. This opens their site in a new tab; this page stays open.