Camp Out With the Family in Reno and Lake Tahoe

Stay Home and Still Take a Vacation at Northern Nevada Campgrounds

Aug 12, 2009

There are plenty of area campgrounds near Reno and Lake Tahoe, so take the kids on a camping vacation, save money, and still enjoy yourself this summer.

Camping out is a family tradition in Northern Nevada, so there are plenty of great campgrounds for a long weekend or a staycation in Northern Nevada. Here are some of the best around Reno and Lake Tahoe, both in Nevada and California.

This park, only 15 miles south of Reno, offers 63 overnight campsites on a first-come, first-served basis. They have group camping and picnic facilities that you can reserve. There are no hook-ups, but longer travel trailers fit in 19 of the park's sites. There are hot showers year-round, self-guided nature trails, and a small pond where you can use non-motorized boats. Group camping and picnic facilities are available by reservation.

The park is located on the west side of Washoe Valley off US 395 South For more information call 775-849-0684 for camping, and 775-785-4319 for picnics.

This high-altitude campground is only open in summertime, so call if the weather is questionable. It's located at an elevation of 9,300 feet in a conifer forest. There are restrooms with flush toilets, paved roads and parking areas, and picnic tables and BBQs at each campsite. It's located 9 miles east of Lake Tahoe, and about 25 miles west of Reno. The campground is located off the Mount Rose Highway, Highway 431 Call 530-882-2766 to reserve campsites. The campground is run by the U.S. Forest Service.

This campground is a favorite with locals, and it's only 15 miles south of Reno. It contains 49 developed campsites, and two group campgrounds, one that caters to horseback riders. Visitors enjoy boating and fishing on the lake, windsurfing, and swimming. The Washoe Lake Wetlands Area near the park is a premier bird-watching area. There are no hook-ups, but there is a dump station. Each site includes a picnic table, BBQ, and fire ring. The campground is open year-round. The campground is first-come first-served, and showers are available. Trailers longer than 45 feet cannot fit in the park's campsites. The park is located at 4855 East Lake Boulevard, Carson City, NV 89704. Call 775-687-4319 for more information.

The D.L. Bliss park has over 150 campsites, but it can only handle RVs up to 18 feet long. There are hook-ups, but there are showers and flush toilets. The park is located on Highway 89, South Lake Tahoe Call 530-525-7277 for more information. You can reserve campsites by calling the California State Parks reservation hotline: 800-444-PARK.

Fallen Leaf Lake offers over 208 campsites. They have sites for RVs up to 45 feet long. There are no hook-ups or showers, but the park does have flush toilets. The park is operated by the Forest Service, and you can make reservations by logging on to http://www.reserveUSA.com. The park is located on Highway, South Lake Tahoe, on the road to Emerald Bay. Call 530-544-5994 or 530-544-0426 for more information.

Granite Flat campground is a non-developed campground, so you'll need to bring your own drinking water. There are no hook-ups, showers, or flush toilets, only the pit variety. It has 70 tent and RV campsites, but can only take RVs up to 16 feet long. The park is located on Highway 89 in North Lake Tahoe. Call 530-587-3558 for more information.

Nevada Beach is located two miles east of the California and Nevada state line. The campground has 54 campsites that can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet long. There are flush toilets but no showers. There is no dump station, either. There are tables, BBQs, and fire rings at each site. No all-terrain or off-highway vehicles in campground. The park is operated by the Forest Service, and you can make reservations by logging on to http://www.reserveUSA.com. The park is located on US Highway 50, Zephyr Cove, NV. Call 775-588-5562 for more information.

Sugar Pine has 175 campsites taking RV's up to 32 feet and trailers up to 26 feet long. They offer hot showers, flush toilets, a dump station, museum, pier, nature trails, and cross country skiing, and the park is open year-round. The park is located ten miles south of Tahoe City on California Highway 89, West Lake Tahoe Call 530-525-7982 for more information. You can reserve campsites by calling the California State Parks reservation hotline: 800-444-PARK.

The park offers 31 tent & RV campsites, and takes RVs up to 24 feet long. The park offers flush toilets, hot showers, a fishing pier, grocery store, and laundry. The park is located in Tahoe City on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. Call 530-583-3074 for more information.

The copyright of the article Camp Out With the Family in Reno and Lake Tahoe in Nevada Travel is owned by Sherril Steele-Carlin. Permission to republish Camp Out With the Family in Reno and Lake Tahoe in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.