Nestled in the crook of the Sierra Nevadas in Truckee, California, are some of the top campgrounds Lake Tahoe has to offer. The Martis Creek and Boca camping areas are beautiful plateaus with broad meadows ideal for birding, and clear water in the case of Boca, ideal for boating.
A small town with terrific local art and food, Truckee lays claim to the best in both rugged camping and glamping. It boasts high-end RV resorts as well as remote, sparse campgrounds for the outdoorsman.
Whether you’d like to tear up the mountains on your bike, ski fresh powder, fly-fish on a quiet stretch of river, visit a museum, or go shopping and eat a great meal, camping here offers views and amenities for everyone. And Truckee has got nearby hot springs too!
Truckee’s Top Tent and RV Campgrounds
Note that most of the campgrounds in the area are managed by USFS Tahoe National Forest. Wildlife encounters are fairly common, so the use of bear boxes is required. Potable water access is dependent on the season. Pitch your tent or park your RV at these top campgrounds.
Here are the best and closest campgrounds to Truckee and Lake Tahoe, CA, in order of proximity:
Coachland RV Resort (1 mile)
Coachland RV resort offers a convenient trailer park in Truckee. Whether you’re coming for a couple of days or a couple of months, this RV resort is centrally located only a mile from Truckee proper. You can enjoy dinner, local art, historic downtown, skiing, snowboarding, rafting, and kayaking.
- Closest town: Truckee, CA (1 mile)
- Specs: 114 pull-through RV sites, full hookups, vacation rentals/RV, pets welcome, usage heavy, easy, open year-round, short/long-term stays available
- Amenities: Potable water, flush toilets, showers, laundry, fish-cleaning station, playground, pet area with bags, events center, office, propane, BBQ, fire pit, bike repair, dumpsters
- Reservations: Yes, at Robertsresorts.com
- Address: 10100 Pioneer Trail, Truckee, CA 96161 (Map)
Granite Flat Campground (2 miles)
Granite Flat Campground is only a few minutes from Truckee and is well-known for its fly-fishing. Rainbow trout are common in this area. In summer, river rafting and tubing are popular activities. Campers can also enjoy Lake Tahoe, downtown Truckee or Tahoe City.
- Closest town: Truckee, CA (2 miles)
- Specs: 75 sites, Tent/RV, standard hookups, pets welcome, heavy, moderate (some sites are walk-to), open May-October
- Amenities: Potable water, flush toilets, showers, laundry, BBQ, fire pit, picnic tables, dumpsters
- Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.gov
- Address: 8898-8904 River Rd, Truckee, CA 96161 (Map)
Donner Memorial State Park (3 miles)
Donner Memorial State Park has three different campgrounds to choose from including Ridge Campground, Splitrock Campground, and Creek Campground. The memorial is named after the famous Donner Party—pioneers whose late-season emigration from Independence, Missouri, across the midwest and through the Sierra Nevadas ended in disaster.
Although this campground’s namesake offers a gruesome tale, the views, clear water, and high-elevation air are a good opportunity to offer gratitude in memory of those who forged pathways in tougher times to the gem of the Sierras—Lake Tahoe.
- Closest town: Truckee, CA (3 miles)
- Specs: 154 tent/RV campsites, RVs up to 24’, pets welcome, usage heavy, moderate (snow is present year-round), open Memorial Day to Labor Day
- Amenities: Camping, potable water, flush toilets, hiking, fishing, boating, historic site museum
- Reservations: Yes, at ReserveCalifornia.com
- Address: 12593 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161 (Map)
Alpine Meadow (Martis Creek) Campground (5 miles)
Another one close to Reno and Lake Tahoe, this campground features a lovely open campground with moderate trees, but plenty of mountain and forest views. It’s also known as Martis Creek Campground. Activities such as biking and hiking, plus water sports such as kayaking and fishing are commonplace.
- Closest town: Truckee, CA (5 miles)
- Specs: 24 sites, tent/RV, standard non-electric hookups, vault toilets, pets welcome, usage heavy, moderate, open May-October
- Amenities: Potable water, BBQ, fire pit, bear boxes, amphitheater
- Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.gov
- Address: Alpine Meadow Camp, Truckee, CA 96161 (Map)
Goose Meadow Campground (5 miles)
Goose Meadow Campground is one of the numerous small campgrounds located on highway 89 between Tahoe City and Truckee. A few sites are directly on the river, with others closer to the highway. Fly-fish for rainbow trout. Go mountain biking. Raft, kayak, and hike. This little campground offers a big way to enjoy the Sierra Nevadas.
- Closest town: Truckee, CA (5 miles)
- Specs: 24 sites, tent/RV, standard non-electric, pets welcome, usage heavy, moderate, open May-October.
- Amenities: Potable water, vault toilets, BBQ, fire pit, bike repair, dumpsters
- Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.gov
- Address: CA-89, Truckee, CA 96161 (Map)
Prosser Family Campground (6 miles)
Prosser Family Campground is situated on the West shore of Prosser Creek Reservoir in a thick forest of Fir and Jeffery pines. The reservoir is visible from some sites where boating, kayaking, and fishing are common. An equestrian center, golf course, shooting range, and downtown Truckee are all within five miles making this campground a great getaway for the whole family.
- Closest town: Truckee, CA (6 miles)
- Specs: 29 sites, Tent/RV, standard non-electric, vaulted toilet, pets welcome, open May-October
- Amenities: camping, potable water, BBQ, fire ring, picnic table, bear box, boat ramp
- Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.gov
- Address: Unnamed Rd, Truckee, CA 96161 (Map)
Tahoe Donner Campground (6 miles)
Tahoe Donner Campground is situated on Alder Creek only six miles from Truckee, CA. While it’s conveniently located near various hiking trailheads, this campground boasts a slew of nearby activities including an equestrian center, golf course, tennis center, youth adventure center, geocaching, archery, bocce, eateries, and shopping, just to name a few.
This is the perfect place to bring the family or escape for a couple’s retreat in the Penthouse or honeymoon suites.
- Closest town: Truckee, CA (6 miles)
- Specs: 45 sites, Tent/RV, full hookups, Penthouse/Honeymoon suites, pets welcome, usage heavy, open May-October
- Amenities: Potable water, flush toilets, hot showers, wi-fi, laundry, BBQ, fire ring, dumpsters
- Reservations: Yes, at ReserveAmerica.com
- Address: 13813 Alder Creek Rd, Truckee, CA 96161 (Map)
Lakeside Campground (6 miles)
Lakeside Campground is located on the west shore of Prosser Reservoir, right on the water. The campgrounds are fairly open, allowing for excellent stargazing, one of the most underrated activities available because of Lake Tahoe’s high elevation. While boating, hiking, and Truckee downtown are easily accessible, camping here offers a rare taste of what the West was built on— wide-open spaces.
- Closest town: Truckee, CA (6 miles)
- Specs: 42 sites, standard non-electric, pets welcome, usage heavy, open May-October
- Amenities: Potable water, vault toilet, fire ring, dumpsters
- Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.gov
- Address: Lakeside Campground Rd, Truckee, CA 96161 (Map)
Silver Creek Campground (8 miles)
Silver Creek Campground is a smaller getaway right on the Truckee River and just off Highway 89. For those wishing for a quieter getaway, Silver Creek is both easily accessible and also just far enough off the beaten path. It offers that rugged mountain getaway feels with the convenience of close proximity to Tahoe City and Truckee, south to north, respectively.
Some walk-in sites are right on the river while other accessible sites are near the highway.
- Closest town: Truckee, CA (8 miles)
- Specs: 19 sites (7 of which are walk-in tent sites), large RVs not recommended, pets welcome, usage heavy, open May 28-October 10
- Amenities: Potable water, vault toilets, fire ring, picnic table, bear box
- Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.gov
- Address: CA-89 S, Truckee, CA 96161 (Map)
Boca Campground (9 miles)
Boca campground is located northeast of Truckee, CA on Boca Reservoir. Boca was once a town built around ice and wood mills and some remains of old Boca are still visible. There are foundations of old mills and warehouses. Boating, fishing, and watersports are the main attractions for campers.
- Closest town: Truckee, CA (9 miles)
- Specs: 27 sites, tent/RV, Standard non-electric hookups, pets welcome, usage heavy, moderate, open May-October.
- Amenities: No water, vault toilets, picnic table, BBQ, fire ring
- Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.gov
- Address: Boca Road, Truckee, CA 96161 (Map)
Cisco Grove Campground & RV (21 miles)
While Cisco Grove Campground provides a great location for hiking, biking, rock climbing, and bouldering. The South Fork of the Yuba River runs directly through the campground, so swimming and fishing are also an option. It’s centrally located between Truckee and Auburn, CA, making it a great place to stay on your way into or out of the mountains. They currently offer only long-term stays but plan to open for short-term camping sometime this year.
- Closest Town: Emigrant Gap, CA (7 miles)
- Specs: 406 Tent/RV, electric, full hookups, pull-through sites, pets allowed, usage moderate, open year-round
- Amenities: Potable water, flush toilets
- Reservations: Yes, at (530) 426-1600
- Address: 48415 Hampshire Rocks Rd, Emigrant Gap, CA 95715 (Map)
Indian Springs Campground (23 miles)
Indian Springs Campground offers some of the best swimming holes in the area, located right off Highway 80 on the Yuba River. The South Yuba River can be dangerous when heavy snowmelt increases its volume in early summer, so mid-to-late summer is recommended for family visits. It’s also situated close to the historic Emigrant Gap Trail.
- Closest town: Emigrant Gap (7 miles)
- Specs: 35 tent/RV sites, no hookups, pets welcome, usage heavy, open May-September
- Amenities: Potable water, vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings
Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.gov - Address: Eagle Lakes Rd, Camptonville, CA 95922 (Map)
Most of the campgrounds in the Truckee area are run by the United States Forest Service. Black bears, raccoons, coyotes, and other wildlife are co-inhabitants of the area. Practice pack-in/pack-out, fire safety, and keep all of your food in bear-proof containers (not your car). Higher elevations, unpredictable weather patterns, and seasonal conditions make the above campsites “moderate” in terms of difficulty.
If you’re still looking for sites, check out these campgrounds closer to Sacramento, for a look at a few more in the Lake Tahoe region.
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