{November 2017 Update: Brian and I just stayed at one of our top favorite campsites in the Lake Tahoe area.  To find out why, read all about it here.}

If you’re planning an Airstream road trip to Lake Tahoe (about a 3.5-4 hour drive from our San Jose garage) there’s a lot of options when it comes to campsites (usually with no hook-ups) as well as quite a few for RV parks (with full hook-ups).  And that makes sense since Lake Tahoe is a wonderful vacation spot full of nature hikes, mountain bike trails, as well as lake activities (and even gambling opportunities if you’re so inclined).  So far we have only personally been to two campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe region: Logger Campground and Grover Hot Springs State Park.  Read on to learn more.

Logger Campground, Truckee (North of Lake Tahoe)

Logger Campground is located north of Lake Tahoe in the Truckee area (location shown above in the AllStays App).  The first thing you need to know about this campsite is that there are no hook-ups here and so we only advise experienced or adventurous RV’ers come here (read our dry-camping post here to know all about what it means to be at a camp-site with no hook-ups).

The second thing you need to know about this campground is that Google Maps will take you the wrong way.  So instead follow the directions as advised by the website and take HWY 80 to HWY 89 and exit right at Hobart Mills Rd, which merges left onto old HWY 89, and at the fork take a right to stay on Hobart Mills Rd (which is also called E. Pasture Rd) and then left onto Dog Valley Rd until you get to the campground.  But if you choose to stay at this campsite then you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of Stampede Reservoir, which is located right behind the campground.

Lake Tahoe is a 45 minute drive from this campsite, but you can boat, water ski, swim, and fish right on the reservoir.  And since it’s in such a secluded spot, you’ll likely have more privacy than on the popular Lake Tahoe.  As for the campsite itself, it comes with a fire ring and picnic tables.

Grover Hot Springs State Park, Markleeville (South of Lake Tahoe)

Grover Hot Springs State Park is located south of Lake Tahoe and is about 45 minutes away from Stateline in South Lake Tahoe.  You will also be dry-camping at this location, but are rewarded with views of trees from your Airstream and a 5 minute drive to the hot springs the park is named after.  The hot springs are fed into a pool, which can be enjoyed with a $10 entrance fee (good for all day).  There are also hiking trails throughout the park and a trout creek.  This is one of the few campsites that are open year around and thus can be enjoyed during the fall season when there are less crowds.  We found this great campsite after asking some locals in the area.  They say the max trailer length allowed is 24 feet, and we recommend only experienced towers come to this park since there are quite a few tight spots here.

Other recommended sites

These site are recommended by past customers though we do not have any personal experience at these places:

Coachland RV Park (located in Truckee & 20 minutes from Lake Tahoe): This is one of our repeat customers’ favorite RV park spot in the Lake Tahoe Area.  Read all about Jason and Grace’s Airstream road trip here.  If you want full hook-ups (water, electric, sewer and cable) and basic Wifi then this is your best bet.

Ice House Campground by Kyburz