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Where Should You Camp
Welcome to California or maybe it’s Nevada for you. Whatever the case may be, you choose an amazing destination within the Lake Tahoe Basin Area. In addition, each side of the lake offers different actives and accommodations for your needs.
Lake Tahoe has 72 miles of shoreline to explore and is considered to be North America’s third deepest lake at around 1,645 feet. Want to know more then check out the official visitors site.
What To Expect
We have stayed on all sides of the lake and the best part we have found for us is camping at the Meeks Bay Campground located in the West Shore Recreational Area. This gem is found off of HWY 89 and is in between Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe.
In addition, this location allows for easy access to hiking trails, like the Meeks Bay Trail to Lake Genevieve and Lake Crag. These alpine lakes are just a chain that begins with Lake Genevieve. By the way, before you set out on any trails, make sure you know the facts, have plenty of water or snacks, and a can of bear spray.
The campground has its own beach access, which is also a public beach during the day. Day use will cost $10 per car for non-campers. Equally important is the beach, which is sandy and has water that’s more on the shallow side.
As a result of this beach being popular on hot days, the small parking lot can fill up fast. Furthermore, dogs can access the lake part of the beach to the east side, past the benches.
With any campground you will stay at it’s going to be hard to find sites that have a lot of room. At Meeks Bay, some units will be closer together while there are others that are perfect with trees for hanging up your hammock or a land yard for your dog. For instance, we have experienced a site with 6 hammocks all tied up.
The Little Things Count
Forgot the fire wood? Don’t worry, the on site hosts will stop by to see if you need to buy a bundle for $8 (price could change). In the meantime, try walking to the beach, it only takes a few minutes through the tall Conifer trees. Be cautious, the summer time can be crowded sometimes, especially during Independence Day, Memorial Day Weekend, or Labor Day.
A nice touch is the air compressor they have by the beach to blow up any of your water gear. In addition, the beach has picnic tables, bbq pits, and benches to relax on. The water is calm but cold so have your towels ready when you get out.
Flushing bathrooms are scattered around the campsites. Furthermore, the facilities were clean, had plug-ins, and running water. Great place to charge your camera battery when you forgot to do it on the drive up!
Make sure to use the bear lockers and pick up your trash. Not everyone likes to be woken up at night with a bear going through your camp, trust us Respect nature and your fellow camper. They probably don’t want to meet Yogi Bear! Campground Reservations: Booking on the offical gov site
Ultimate Road Trip Packing List
Planning on taking a road trip soon, then check our our guide on what you should pack to prepare for a smooth trip.
Click Here
The West Shore
- Meeks Bay Campground
- Fee: $30-35/night
- Elevation: 6280 ft
- Camping: 40 sites for tent and rv’s
- Beach Access: Yes
- Dogs Allowed: On the right side of the public beach they can go into the water
- Season open: May-Oct
- Extras: air compressor located by the beach
- Camping App/Website: Campendium
- Kaspian Campground
- Fee: $20 -22/night
- Elevation: 6,250 ft
- Camping: 9 sites for tent only
- Beach Access: No but can walk to it
- Dogs Allowed: Yes on leash
- Season: May – Oct
- Extras: handicapped accessible
The East Shore
- Nevada Beach Campground
- Fee: $35 – 555/night
- Elevation: 6,100 ft
- Camping: 54 sites for tents/rv’s
- Beach access: yes
- Dogs Allowed: yes on leash
- Season: May – Oct
- Extras: there’s an Nevada Beach Pavilion to rent for a large group of up to 150 people
The South Shore
- Fallen Leaf Campground
- Fee: $35-86/night
- Elevation: 6,300 ft
- Camping: 206 sites for tents/rv’s/yurts
- Beach access: No
- Dogs Allowed: Yes on leash
- Season:May – Oct
- Extras: located near the shore of Fallen Leaf Lake and has coin operated shower facilities
- Bayview Campground
- Fee: $15 -70/night
- Elevation: 6893 ft
- Camping: 25 sites for tent
- Beach Access: No
- Dogs Allowed: Yes on leash
- Extras: is located next to Bear Lake and is 25 miles away from a fuel source
Additional Info
Beaches
Other Accommodations in Lake Tahoe Basin
Camp Shelly Campground
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Have you camped at Meek’s Bay Campground? Did you enjoy the site and would you do it again? Have any other camp sites should try? Let us know in the comments section. Thanks for visiting our site and check back for other destinations.
The information on this website has come from research and by experiencing it ourselves. Opening hours, trail closures, prices, etc. are always subject to change. Also, we try to keep up to date on any new information, or tips to help make your adventure more enjoyable.
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