North Shore · California

North Shore campgrounds: Tahoe City to Kings Beach

In our data the North Shore section has 3 stays (3 public, 0 private): Lake Forest Campground, Tahoe State Recreation Area, Watson Lake Campground. 2 of them (Lake Forest Campground, Watson Lake Campground) aren't in our booking partners' feeds yet: their pages list official facts and the operator's booking link, with availability coming soon.

Summary

3 campgrounds. Max RV length is the agency's official limit where one is published; "longest Rec.gov site" is the longest equipment length Recreation.gov lists for at least two sites. "Not listed" means no source we use states it.
CampgroundMax RV lengthHookupsDogsBookingAgencySources
Lake Forest Campground25 ftNoneYes, leashedFirst come, first served (no reservations)Tahoe City Public Utility District[1]
Tahoe State Recreation Area18 ft (trailer 15 ft)NoneNoReserveCaliforniaCalifornia State Parks[1] [2] [3]
Watson Lake CampgroundNot listedNot listedNot listedFirst come, first served (no reservations)USDA Forest Service — Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit[1] [2]

Tahoe State Recreation Area in Tahoe City has 23 campsites in a small, historic campground with small turns and parking pads (trailers to 15 ft, RVs/campers to 18 ft). It has closed for the 2026 season. [California State Parks]

Lake Forest Campground (Tahoe City PUD) has 20 first-come, first-served sites at $30 a night with a 10-day limit, and no showers, hookups or dump station. [Tahoe City PUD]

Stays in our data whose coordinates fall in the North Shore section: Tahoe City, Lake Forest, Carnelian Bay, Tahoe Vista and Kings Beach on the California side, up to the hills behind them. Distances are straight-line. Official facts checked 2026-10-18; listing facts update with each feed refresh.

Search North Shore stays with dates →

CA California rules for campers

Booking
California State Parks book on ReserveCalifornia up to 6 months before arrival. Forest Service campgrounds book on Recreation.gov (individual sites up to 6 months ahead, group sites 12). California State Parks Recreation.gov
Bears
State park campgrounds: food, drinks, toiletries and scented trash go in the site's metal locker; ice chests may not be left in vehicles; bear-proof coolers must be locked (up to $1,000 fine). National Forest land: Forest Order 19-24-03. California State Parks USDA Forest Service
Chains
Caltrans chain controls R-1, R-2 and R-3 apply on CA-89, US-50 and I-80; check Caltrans QuickMap for live status. Caltrans Caltrans QuickMap

49 campsites across 3 campgrounds

Compare at a glance: hookups, RV length, bear storage, season

Computed from official pages (linked tags) and listings; "Not listed" means no source we use states it. Official RV limits override listing lengths.

3 stays on this page
CampgroundAreaHookupsMax RV lengthBear / food storageSeason
Lake Forest CampgroundNorth Shore (CA) · Tahoe City Public Utility District (TCPUD)None Tahoe City PUD25 ft (official limit) Tahoe City PUDNot listedOpen for the 2026 summer season, first come, first served, no reservations (TCPUD page); season dates not listed — the info sheet says the 20 sites depend on spring run-off Tahoe City PUD
Tahoe State Recreation AreaNorth Shore (CA) · California State Parks (Tahoe State Recreation Area)Hookup type not listed for RV sites Listing · reservecalifornia.com18 ft (official limit) California State ParksFood, beverages, toiletries and scented trash must go in the campsite's metal food locker except while eating or cooking; ice chests may not be stored in vehicles. Bear-proof coolers must be locked (up to a $1,000 fine) California State ParksThe campground has closed for the 2026 season California State Parks
Watson Lake CampgroundNorth Shore (CA) · USDA Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management UnitNone listed (backcountry campground) USDA Forest ServiceNot listedNot listedSeasonal; 2026 opening in June (LTBMU opening dates); closing date not listed. No restrooms or trash service in winter USDA Forest Service

Hookups & rig specs

Rig length, pull-through, power, water, sewer and dump station. Blue linked tags are official sources; "Listing" tags come from the booking listing; "Not listed" means no source we use states it.

Hookups & rig specs — 3 stays
CampgroundMax rig lengthPull-throughPower (amps)Water hookupSewer hookupDump station
Lake Forest Campground25 ft (official limit) Tahoe City PUDNot listedNone Tahoe City PUDPump water / water spigot by the dumpster Tahoe City PUDNot listedNone Tahoe City PUD
Tahoe State Recreation Area18 ft (official limit) California State ParksNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listed
Watson Lake CampgroundNot listedNot listedNone listed (backcountry campground) USDA Forest ServiceNo potable water USDA Forest ServiceNot listedNot listed

Booking & price

StayRun byFrom Lake TahoeMax rig (listed / official)Hookups & powerBookingListed from
Lake Forest CampgroundTahoe City Public Utility District (TCPUD)7.6 miOfficial limit 25 ft maximum vehicle length — TCPUD page: vehicles can be no longer than 25 ft. 2026 information sheet: 30 ft for self-contained motor homes, 25 ft trailer length; truck/trailer combos must be disconnectedNoneNo reservations; pay at the Lake Forest Boat Ramp kiosk or the drop box · 530-580-6279Not listed
Tahoe State Recreation AreaCalifornia State Parks7.7 miOfficial limit 18 ft max RV/camper; 15 ft max trailer — a small, historic campground with small turns and parking pads (California State Parks)Hookup type not listed for RV sitesNot listed$35/night
Watson Lake CampgroundUSDA Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit10.5 miNot listedNone listed (backcountry campground)No reservations; free, first come, first served · 530-543-2600Not listed

Related guides

Head-to-head

All Lake Tahoe campground comparisons

More ways to camp around Lake Tahoe

Sources