The Ultimate Lake Tahoe boondocking locations guide, including the best free campsites around all four sides of the lake.
I don’t know about you, but we are summer people through and through. Swimming, BBQs, kayaking, fishing, hiking, cold watermelon – summer is my jam. If you’re like us and already planning your next summer vacation, you should consider Lake Tahoe, because it has all those things and more.
Although a popular snow destination in the winter as well, Lake Tahoe is a prime camping destination in the spring, summer, and fall for a reason.
Known for its turquoise waters, it’s America’s largest alpine lake, nestled in amongst the mountains and pine forests of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. With numerous state parks and abundantly beautiful natural settings, there are tons of options for camping near Lake Tahoe.
Below, I’ve rounded up my top Lake Tahoe boondocking picks for the best free Lake Tahoe camping. Picks for a perfect outdoor adventure this year.
Want more ideas to round-out your trip to California?
A lot of great ideas are in these posts!
- 18 Free Devils Postpile National Monument Boondocking Locations
- 15 Great Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Boondocking Locations
- 20 Free Sequoia National Park RV & Camping Locations
- 14 Castle Mountains National Monument Boondocking Locations
- 23 Best Boondocking Spots Near Death Valley National Park
- 27 Top Joshua Tree National Park Boondocking Spots
- 14 Free Sequoia National Monument Boondocking Locations
- 15 Great Lake Tahoe Boondocking Locations (Updated 2022)
check out our video
Is Lake Tahoe Good for Boondocking?
The simple is if you want to stay on the lakeshore probably not so much, these spots are very expensive and don’t fit most boondocking dreams at all. But if you want to stay a bit away from the lake central to avoid the crowds that are huge there and simply go to the lake for some truly great water fun then yes it is a great boondocking experience and we have provided with the best place on all 4 sides of the lake.
With so many great things to do around the lake, you may find yourself wanting to spend several days exploring the area. Free Lake Tahoe camping is a great way to extend your stay in the Lake Tahoe region.
There’s plenty of water recreation and hiking to keep you entertained and nice cool evenings for winding down.
Car Camping Lake Tahoe
Car-camping on the shores of Lake Tahoe and beyond can be a great way to get little kids ready for the bigger reward—backpacking. Just don’t linger there too long and stay focused on the goal of getting into the backcountry as soon as possible.
Here are some suggestions for car-camping around North Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area—great for toddlers but once they can hike a mile or two forget the campground and strike out into the wilderness. If your backpacking skills are rusty or non-existent you can spend that time brushing up by taking an overnight backpacking trip with adults (find a backpacking Sierra Club chapter or Meetup in your area), following a backpacking forum on Google Groups or Yahoo Groups and maybe taking an REI class or two.
Things to Prepare For that Come with Lake Tahoe Boondocking
While camping is a great summertime activity at Lake Tahoe, there are a few things that may frustrate you. Here’s what you might not love about camping at the lake.
Fire Restrictions
Due to increased fire risks, there are often fire restrictions in place. If a nightly campfire is important for a successful evening of camping, you could find yourself disappointed. You can check the forest service website for up-to-date restrictions.
Wildfire Smoke
There can be lingering wildfire smoke when there’s a nearby fire (or even sometimes one not so nearby.) Even if the fire itself isn’t a threat to the region, it still impacts the area. Wildfire smoke can significantly reduce visibility and air quality. Smoky conditions are most likely to occur in the late summer or early fall months.
Bears and Other Wildlife
Wildlife is abundant at Lake Tahoe. It can be exciting to spot a moose off in the distance, but it isn’t as fun to find a bear at your campsite. You’ll need to be bear-aware while camping at the lake. Be careful not to leave food or scented items outdoors at your campsite.
Those who are tent camping at Lake Tahoe will need to take extra precautions and be certain to use bear boxes for food storage.
Crowds and Traffic
Lake Tahoe isn’t exactly a hidden gem. People know it, love it, and spend lots of time there. During the peak season, you’re going to find many others enjoying the lake alongside you. You’ll need to have a bit of patience as you navigate the area.
Not only are the roads busy, but the campsites are often close together, offering little in the way of privacy. It’s going to be tough to find spacious sites all to yourself when camping at Lake Tahoe. Campgrounds fill up fast, so make your plans early. The best way to avoid all of these issues is to plan a trip in early spring or very late in the fall which is our favorite time of year to visit the lake.
Things to Prepare For that Come with Lake Tahoe Boondocking
Skiing? Yes. Swimming? Yes. Golfing? Yes. Shopping Yes, dining and nightlife Yes? Yup, those too. Lake Tahoe offers the best of all worlds rolled into one vacation destination. Spend your days hiking through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, shredding powder along the slopes of Squaw Valley Ski Resort, getting the bird’s-eye view of the lake from the Heavenly Gondola or kayaking in Emerald Bay. Then, as night falls, follow the bright lights to the southern shore’s big-name casinos like Harrah’s.
Check out these top things to do in California .
1. Kings Beach State Recreation Area
Stretching along Lake Tahoe’s northern shore, this beach is one of the largest in the area. The nearly 13-acre park – which encompasses a fair amount of shoreline on the northern edge of Lake Tahoe – is ideal for swimming, sunbathing and boating; plus, there is also a picnic area and a playground, as well as restroom facilities.
2. Palisades Tahoe
Encompassing both Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows, Palisades Tahoe (previously called Squaw Valley) is considered one of the world’s finest ski resorts thanks to its nearly 6,000 acres of terrain and its advanced lift system. Plus, it sees more than 400 inches of annual snowfall, meaning Palisades operates the longest ski and snowboard season in Lake Tahoe. It’s no wonder the resort was chosen to host the 1960 Winter Olympics.
But top-notch powder isn’t the only allure of Palisades Tahoe. You can take the family snow-tubing at the Sno Ventures Activity Zone located in the base area of Olympic Valley, or brush up on your Olympic history at the Olympic Museum. Meanwhile, the Village at Palisades Tahoe offers ample dining options as well as nightlife venues. And if you’re visiting Lake Tahoe during the summer, you can tee off at the resort’s championship golf course, challenge yourself at the ropes course or scale Olympic Valley’s iconic rock, The Tram Face, among other activities.
3. D. L. Bliss State Park
Named for 19th-century lumber titan Duane Leroy Bliss, this stunning 744-acre park is home to the deepest section of Lake Tahoe and some of the area’s most breathtaking sites, including several pristine beaches, hiking trails and the Balancing Rock, a 250,000-pound boulder balancing on a mere fist of granite.
Recent visitors raved about the park’s beaches, trails and campsites, saying that they’re definitely worth a visit. However, one common complaint is the lack of parking and the limited access to the park in the winter offseason.
4. Heavenly Ski Resort & Gondola
With its summit soaring 10,067 feet above sea level (the highest peak in Lake Tahoe), this wildly popular resort truly is heavenly. And it’s the only ski area located on the southern shores of Lake Tahoe. It offers more than 4,600 skiable acres – with runs appropriate for all levels – as well as two snowboard parks, nearly 30 lifts and a 50-passenger aerial tram. The Heavenly Resort also offers daycare programs and children’s ski lessons, so feel free to bring the kids along.
Despite the Heavenly incredible runs, its main draw is not its fresh powder but rather its soaring Heavenly Gondola. These suspended cable cars carry passengers more than 2 miles through the mountains to a 9,200-foot-high observation deck. Rides will cost you a small fortune ($58 for adults, $35 for kids), but travelers agree that the experience is a must for first-time visitors. In addition, in the summer at the resort’s Epic Discovery adventure area, visitors can enjoy ropes courses, zip lines, a mountain coaster, climbing walls, tubing and guided hiking tours. Book the Ultimate Adventure Pass to try them all for $99 (or $74 for those shorter than 54 inches), which also includes the gondola ride.
5. Brave the Tahoe Treetop Ropes Course
With a whopping 97 treetop platforms across 10 total courses (2 low ones for beginner, 6 mid-height, and 2 advanced for the real daredevils), Tahoe Treetop is a surefire rush of adrenaline for visitors of all ages.
And if an array of high ropes courses wasn’t enough to get excited about, Tahoe Treetop also boasts 27 unique ziplines!
Try the 3 park package which includes Tahoe City Treetops, Tahoe Vista Treetop and Olympic Valley Treetop.
15 Lake Tahoe Boondocking Locations
North Lake Tahoe Boondocking Locations
1. 199 Nevada
Address
Floriston, California
GPS: 39.39504, -120.02617
Elevation: 5367′
Management: Public
Public land just off of I-80. Free dispersed camping -> No reservations. The road into this Lake Tahoe Boondocking Location is on paved road and good for all trailer and RV lengths.
Best Review:
It was great I parked along the river fabulous free camping on a free dirt road. Very long place to pull off along the river beautiful nice breeze full internet if there was a complaint I don’t know what it is so far so good love it Traveling westbound on I-80, take exit 199 and then the first left onto a gravel road. A switchback or two, but plenty of places to pull off on the side. No one bothers you and it’s free!
2. Truckee Overnight
Address
Truckee, California
GPS: 39.328213, -120.183319
Elevation: 5820′
Management: Truck Stop
The road in is Paved. The maximum RV length at Truckee overnight is small. You may stay overnight at Truckee overnight.
Best Review:
Great place in a pinch, but the hours that you don’t have to pay have changed from 10pm-5am. Also overnighting is not allowed every night. Not sure if their enforcing this. Please respect the signs so that this stays an option, unlike along Donner Lake.
3. Donner Lake Vista Point
Address
Truckee, California
GPS: 39.328682, -120.277762
Elevation: 6368′
Management: Rest Area
The road into this Lake Tahoe free RV camping location is Paved. There are 1-5 campsites at this location. You may stay overnight at Donner Lake Vista Point.
Best Review:
Small parking lot up above the highway. No amenities and not close to any houses. It is close to the highway so expect lots of road noise. We didn’t see a sign about no overnight parking and we weren’t bothered. Woke up at our Lake Tahoe free camping location and drove down to Donner Lake for breakfast.
4. Biltmore Casino
Address
Crystal Bay, Nevada
GPS: 39.2284, -120.005
Elevation: 6391′
Management: Casino
The road into this Lake Tahoe Boondocking Location is Paved. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 35 feet. You may stay 1 night at Biltmore casino.
Best Review:
Parked here for one night, very quiet and safe area. We asked the casino manager and he said it’s ok to park one night on the upper parking lot behind the hotel (on Wassou Rd) The parking is big and flat! The Easy road into this Lake Tahoe free camping location.
East Lake Tahoe Boondocking Locations
5. Free Camp 2020
Address
Carson City, Nevada
GPS: 39.160122, -119.661332
Elevation: 5197′
Management: Bureau of Land Management
Free dispersed camping -> No reservations. Located on paved road and good for all trailer and RV lengths. Stayed here in a 8 foot-long Class B (RV). The road into this Lake Tahoe free camping location is dirt.
Best Review:
The road into this Lake Tahoe boondocking location is Gravel and 2 miles from a paved road. Free camp 2020 is open Year round. There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. You may stay 14 at Free camp 2020.
6. Stephanie Way Boondocking
Address
Minden, Nevada
GPS: 39.040756, -119.69413
Elevation: 5133′
Management: Bureau of Land Management
The road into this Lake Tahoe free RV camping location is dirt and 0.1 tenth miles from a paved road. Stephanie Way Boondocking is open Summer. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 35 feet. You may stay Any at Stephanie Way Boondocking. Off Hwy 395 exit Stephanie Way East 2 miles to roads end a Dirt road ,turn around at the bottom 40toad ok, up hill pick a spot ATVs around but gone by sundown.
Best Review:
When you follow your GPS to this Lake Tahoe boondocking camping area, the first mile or so along the dirt path once you leave the paved road takes you gently along the outskirts of a neighborhood — in the evening I let many dog-walkers and horse-riders pass me by. Then the GPS instructed me to take my first right, which looked innocuous enough at first but increasingly became worse and worse. The loose, powdery sand/dirt forms into uneven rollers, tossing you up and down, which in a regular passenger vehicle had my car’s underside scraping and sliding around as I tried to keep momentum going up.
7. Johnson lane OHV
Address
Johnson Lane, Nevada
GPS: 39.02878, -119.70146
Elevation: 5013′
Management: Bureau of Land Management
There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. Labeled as public lands, free to camp for 14 days. Not much room on the lower “staging area” but you can head up to the 2nd landing and its very open. The road into this Lake Tahoe Boondocking Location is dirt.
Best Review:
Got here just at sunset. Only one other person at this Lake Tahoe free free RV camping area, with a bunch of motor cycles in back. Lots of open room at this Lake Tahoe free camping spot. I drove up to “second tier” with 2wd pickup. One go slow section but mostly pretty simple. 4 of 5 stars so far. I plan on leaving before the motocross crowd gets going in morning. Stayed here in a Truck Camper (RV).
South Lake Tahoe Boondocking Locations
8. Willow Creek Dispersed Camping
Address
Markleeville, California
GPS: 38.83509, -119.89478
Elevation: 8442′
Management: National Forest Service
Dispersed FS sites along both sides of High clearance road. Creek. Mature tall pines. Views. There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. Labeled as National Forest Service, free to camp for 14 days. The road into this Lake Tahoe free camping location is dirt.
Best Review:
We just ran into the complete closure of dispersed camping and Forest Service roads out on the coast. Zero options we found. We were told it’s from the fires last year and a precaution for the terrible fore season coming at us. Bad news but a helpful update, thanks.
9. Luther Pass Dispersed Camping Area
Address
South Lake Tahoe, California
GPS: 38.789616, -119.999474
Elevation: 7316′
Management: National Forest Service
The road into this Lake Tahoe free RV camping location is paved. Luther Pass Dispersed Camping Area is open May 25 through Nov. 15. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. You may stay 7 days at Luther Pass Dispersed Camping Area.
Amenities:
Near Water
Pets Welcome
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Best Review:
A developed campground with pit toilets and bear boxes. Free. Not a great Lake Tahoe free RV camping spot, but a couple of the spots will work in a pinch. Definitely not for big rigs/long trailers. We loved this campground (camp site #11). Looks like not too many people know about this camping spot. It was almost empty. We were surprised that there was cell phone reception, we were able to upload videos.
10. Scott’s Lake Area
Address
Hope Valley, California
GPS: 38.765404, -119.940048
Elevation: 7111′
Management: National Forest Service
Toiyabe National Forest. Dispersed camping. The road into this Lake Tahoe boondocking location is Dirt. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet.
Best Review:
Nice Lake Tahoe free camping site. Very high elevation. A pleasure to watch the chipmunks and the cowboys in the field. We had a pop up. Most of the sites with shade were taken. No fires allowed at this time. Camp stoves with on line permit were allowed. We used about a gallon of bottled water each, a day. Easy to pack out. There is a short hike to a creek at the end of the camp road. Cowboys move cattle around the same area.
11. Hope Valley Sno-Park
Address
Blue Lakes Road
Markleeville, California
GPS: 38.750767, -119.94093
Elevation: 7126′
Management: State Park
Hope Valley Sno-Park is open all year. This is a free dispersed campsite. Reservations are not accepted at this campsite. This is a high elevation location. The road into this Lake Tahoe free camping location is dirt.
Best Review:
Found this free Lake Tahoe boondocking spot in our van here in the middle of January, and we woke up to snow capped mountains surrounding a nearby frozen pond. It’s beautiful, and far enough from the highway that there’s barely any traffic noise. It’s technically not free though– you’ll need a $25 annual permit during winter months. Definitely worth it.
West Lake Tahoe Boondocking Locations
12. Azalea Cove Campground (hike in)
Address
Pollock Pines, California
GPS: 38.884012, -120.369558
Elevation: 4869′
Management: National Forest Service
The road into this Lake Tahoe free RV camping location is dirt. There are 6-15 campsites at this location. You may stay 14 days at Azalea Cove Campground (hike in). This is a walk-in, bike-in or boat-in only campground. Check in time is 2:00 p.m. Check out time is 1:00 p.m. No Reservations. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Best Review:
Not clearly marked from ice house road but once you find this Lake Tahoe free camping location you will be happy you put in the effort. Have to unpack at service road and then take stuff down rocky service road to bike trail. Then bike trail to sites. There are no food lockers like most websites say. Probably 1/4 mile total from ice house to first site.
13. Airport Flat Campground
Address
Forest Road 33
Pollock Pines, California
GPS: 38.985241, -120.379464
Elevation: 5384′
Management: National Forest Service
The road into this Lake Tahoe boondocking location is Dirt. There are 6-15 campsites at this location. You may stay 14 days in all of this district per year at Airport Flat Campground. There is no piped water at the campground. Water from the creek is available but should be boiled before using. Water quality testing is not performed on open water sources.
Amenities:
Fire Ring
Near Water
Pets Welcome
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Best Review:
We stayed at this Lake Tahoe free camping location in late August. Arrived in the afternoon to a very spacious campground with only a few campers around. Most spots have their own little path down to Gerle Creek, which was so nice and beautiful. Be wary of yellowjackets around the grounds and sites, and always bring bug spray & citronella. Expect driving if you’re planning a day at the Union Valley Reservoir, but the Gerle Creek Reservoir is closer and seems to be less populated.
14. Loon Lake Dispersed Camping
Address
Pollock Pines, California
GPS: 38.998876, -120.322892
Elevation: 6411′
Management: National Forest Service
Loon Lake Dispersed Camping is open Year Round. There are 16-29 campsites at this location. You may stay 14 days at Loon Lake Dispersed Camping. There are about 15 to 20 camping stops in this area. It is before you get to the paying camping. Usually very quiet. The road into this Lake Tahoe free camping location is dirt.
Amenities:
Fire Ring
Near Water
Best Review:
The spot would be the perfect Lake Tahoe free boondocking area, except we were surprised by the amount of meat bees/wasps that swarmed the campsite and lake from 10 am to 8 pm. We were unable to bring food out during the day, unless we wanted to be attacked. They were literally everywhere! Surprisingly we were only stung once each over the two day period. I have a honeybee allergy, but didn’t have a reaction to this species.
15. Bear Lake
Address
Unnamed Road
Tahoe City, California
GPS: 39.048652, -120.224892
Elevation: 7595′
Management: National Forest Service
Bear Lake is open Jun-Oct. This Lake Tahoe free campsite is located within the Tahoe National Forest’s Truckee Ranger District. This is a high elevation location. Dispersed Camping is open Year Round. There are 16-29 free Lake Tahoe free RV camping spots at this location.
Best Review:
Great place to camp pit toilets not too far from the Lake Tahoe free camping spots which most require 4×4 to get to. I stayed at the very first site to the side of Mickenly ohv road and it was very secluded next to a river. Further along the 4×4 road are 3 serene lakes with available camping next to them.
You May Want to Join Our Boondocking Group on Facebook For More Information
You May Want to Join Our Campfire Recipes Group on Facebook For More Information
