Dayton State Park vs Spooner Lake State Park: side-by-side comparison
26.1 vs 7.7 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line).
State park campground vs state park campground. Official facts link to their source; listing facts say so; anything nobody publishes is marked as not listed. Distances are straight-line.
| Attribute | Dayton State Park | Spooner Lake State Park |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Nevada State Parks | Nevada State Parks (Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, Spooner Backcountry) |
| Official RV limit | Not listed — no official limit published | Not listed — no official limit published |
| Guest rating | No reviews listed | No reviews listed |
| Booking | Reservable on reservenevada.com (listing) | ReserveNevada: 3 days to 11 months ahead; inventory opens at 8 a.m. Pacific on a rolling window. Unreserved sites are first come, first served one night at a time (Nevada State Parks); Reservable on reservenevada.com (listing) |
| Price | Lowest listed rate $10/night (live price once you pick dates) (listing) | Lowest listed rate $10/night (live price once you pick dates) (listing) |
| Max rig length | Longest RV site listed: 75 ft (10 of 10 RV sites list a length) (listing) | 3 RV-capable sites, no length limits listed (listing) |
| Hookups & power | Hookup type not listed for RV sites (listing) | Hookup type not listed for RV sites (listing) |
| Road & site access | Not listed — check with campground | 2 hike-in sites (listing) |
| Generators | Not listed — check with campground | Not listed — check with campground |
| Bear & food storage | Not listed — check with campground | Bear-resistant food and trash storage boxes at the walk-in campgrounds; remove all food and trash when you leave (Nevada State Parks) |
| Season | Not listed — check with campground | Spooner Lake Cabin and Wildcat Cabin available May 1–October 15 (Nevada State Parks) |
| Cell signal | Not listed — check with campground | Not listed — check with campground |
| Shade | 0 of 10 sites that report shade are listed as shaded (listing) | 0 of 3 sites that report shade are listed as shaded (listing) |
| Stay limits | 7 nights max (listing) | 14 days in a 30-day period (Nevada State Parks); 14 nights max (listing) |
| Getting there | 26.1 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 18.7 mi to Sand Harbor (straight-line, not driving) (listing) | 7.7 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 4.3 mi to Sand Harbor (straight-line, not driving) (listing) |
Questions campers ask
Which is closer to the middle of Lake Tahoe, Dayton State Park or Spooner Lake State Park?
Spooner Lake State Park is closer: 7.7 miles from the middle of Lake Tahoe versus 26.1 miles for Dayton State Park (straight-line distances, not driving).
Can I reserve a site at Dayton State Park and Spooner Lake State Park?
Dayton State Park: Reservable on reservenevada.com (listing). Spooner Lake State Park: ReserveNevada: 3 days to 11 months ahead; inventory opens at 8 a.m. Pacific on a rolling window. Unreserved sites are first come, first served one night at a time (Nevada State Parks); Reservable on reservenevada.com (listing).
Which has hookups for an RV?
Dayton State Park: Hookup type not listed for RV sites (listing). Spooner Lake State Park: Hookup type not listed for RV sites (listing).
How long an RV fits at Dayton State Park vs Spooner Lake State Park?
Dayton State Park: Longest RV site listed: 75 ft (10 of 10 RV sites list a length) (listing). Spooner Lake State Park: 3 RV-capable sites, no length limits listed (listing). Always confirm the specific site's length before booking.
Go to the campgrounds
- Dayton State Park: live availability, sites and rules
- Spooner Lake State Park: live availability, sites and rules
Related guides
- Tent camping at Lake Tahoe
- East Shore & Incline campgrounds
- Campgrounds near Lake Tahoe (nearby areas)
- Glamping & cabins at Lake Tahoe
Other comparisons for Dayton State Park
- Dayton State Park vs Washoe Lake State Park — RVs to 75 ft vs 100 ft · 26.1 vs 17.2 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)
- Dayton State Park vs Fort Churchill State Historic Park — RVs to 75 ft vs 45 ft · 26.1 vs 42.7 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)
Other comparisons for Spooner Lake State Park
- Spooner Lake State Park vs Washoe Lake State Park — 7.7 vs 17.2 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)
- Spooner Lake State Park vs Tahoe State Recreation Area — Listed from $10 vs $35/night
- Spooner Lake State Park vs Sugar Pine Point State Park — Listed from $10 vs $35/night