Camping

With over 25 designated camping areas and an endless web of lakes and streams, North Lake Tahoe is a virtual utopia for camping and RVing enthusiasts. See our list of Lake Tahoe camping spots for information on where to pitch your tent or park your rig throughout our 180 degrees of forest lands. Remember that for thru-hikers, these are just starting points – there are several, more remote spots to camp along our many hiking trails. Contact the U.S. Forest Service for more details on where camping is permitted in our backcountry.

A reminder that the Sierra backcountry is wild…and we’d like to keep it that way! Please DO NOT FEED THE BEARS or other wildlife.

Campfires:
You MUST have a campfire permit to have a fire in any of Northern California’s National Forest lands, Sierra Nevada or Bureau of Land Management resource management regions. Permits are free and last until the end of the calendar year (December 31). Visit the Forest Service website or call (530) 622-5061 for more information on how to obtain a permit.
In obtaining a permit, you agree to the following fire safety rules:

• Clear all flammable material away from the fire for a minimum of five feet in all directions to prevent escape of the fire. Meadows make poor campsite locations as you will destroy sections of the meadow with the campfire and the clearance.
• Have a shovel available at the campfire site for preparing and extinguishing campfires.
• Have a responsible person in attendance at all times. Leave the permit with that person and make sure they are aware of the terms of the permit.
• Extinguish campfire with water, using the drown, stir, and feel method. If it is to hot to touch than the fire is not out and can re-ignite.
  

Points of Interest

Recreation Vehicle Industry Association – tips, resources and news for the RV driver

Is your RV ready to go? Are you SURE?

Tips on exploring the Lake Tahoe backcountry, including what to bring, how to treat potential health issues and best practices when encountering black bears.

An Outdoor Family Guide to Lake Tahoe by Lisa Gollin Evans, 2001