Donner Memorial State Park vs Tahoe State Recreation Area: side-by-side comparison
RVs to 28 ft vs 18 ft · 18.8 vs 7.7 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line).
Verdict: Pick Donner Memorial State Park for room for a longer rig (28 ft official limit vs 18 ft official limit).
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 | Donner Memorial State Park | Tahoe State Recreation Area |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | California State Parks (Donner Memorial State Park) | California State Parks (Tahoe State Recreation Area) |
| Official RV limit | 28 ft (California State Parks) | 18 ft (California State Parks) |
| Guest rating | No reviews listed | No reviews listed |
| Booking | Reservable on reservecalifornia.com (listing) | Not listed — check with campground |
| Price | Lowest listed rate $35/night (live price once you pick dates) (listing) | Lowest listed rate $35/night (live price once you pick dates) (listing) |
| Max rig length | Official limit 28 ft max camper/motorhome; 24 ft max trailer (California State Parks) (California State Parks) | Official limit 18 ft max RV/camper; 15 ft max trailer — a small, historic campground with small turns and parking pads (California State Parks) (California State Parks) |
| Hookups & power | Hookup type not listed for RV sites (listing) | Hookup type not listed for RV sites (listing) |
| Road & site access | 118 paved, 9 gravel site driveways (listing) | 20 paved site driveways (listing) |
| Water | Not listed — check with campground | Showers and restrooms for registered campers (California State Parks) |
| Generators | Not listed — check with campground | Not listed — check with campground |
| Pets | Pets allowed (listing) | Pets allowed (listing) |
| Bear & food storage | Not listed — check with campground | Food, 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 Parks) |
| Season | Summer camping; the park itself stays open year-round for trails and winter recreation (California State Parks) | The campground has closed for the 2026 season (California State Parks) |
| Cell signal | Not listed — check with campground | Not listed — check with campground |
| Shade | 0 of 125 sites that report shade are listed as shaded (listing) | 0 of 15 sites that report shade are listed as shaded (listing) |
| Stay limits | 15 nights max (listing) | 30 nights max (listing) |
| Getting there | 18.8 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 1.7 mi to Donner Lake (straight-line, not driving) (listing) | In Tahoe City; Lakeside loop by the lake and Hillside loop across Highway 28. No extra parking and no day use (California State Parks); 7.7 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 0.8 mi to Tahoe City (straight-line, not driving) (listing) |
Questions campers ask
Which is closer to the middle of Lake Tahoe, Donner Memorial State Park or Tahoe State Recreation Area?
Tahoe State Recreation Area is closer: 7.7 miles from the middle of Lake Tahoe versus 18.8 miles for Donner Memorial State Park (straight-line distances, not driving).
Can I reserve a site at Donner Memorial State Park and Tahoe State Recreation Area?
Donner Memorial State Park: Reservable on reservecalifornia.com (listing). Tahoe State Recreation Area: Not listed — check with campground.
Which has hookups for an RV?
Donner Memorial State Park: Hookup type not listed for RV sites (listing). Tahoe State Recreation Area: Hookup type not listed for RV sites (listing).
How long an RV fits at Donner Memorial State Park vs Tahoe State Recreation Area?
Donner Memorial State Park: Official limit 28 ft max camper/motorhome; 24 ft max trailer (California State Parks) (California State Parks). Tahoe State Recreation Area: Official limit 18 ft max RV/camper; 15 ft max trailer — a small, historic campground with small turns and parking pads (California State Parks) (California State Parks). Always confirm the specific site's length before booking.
Is there water at Donner Memorial State Park and Tahoe State Recreation Area?
Donner Memorial State Park: Not listed — check with campground. Tahoe State Recreation Area: Showers and restrooms for registered campers (California State Parks).
Go to the campgrounds
- Donner Memorial State Park: live availability, sites and rules
- Tahoe State Recreation Area: live availability, sites and rules
Related guides
- Tent camping at Lake Tahoe
- Van & truck camper camping at Lake Tahoe
- Lakefront campgrounds at Lake Tahoe
- Booking California State Parks at Lake Tahoe
Other comparisons for Donner Memorial State Park
- Donner Memorial State Park vs Goose Meadows — State park campground vs public-agency campground · listed from $35 vs $22/night
- Donner Memorial State Park vs Silver Creek-Truckee — State park campground vs public-agency campground · listed from $35 vs $20/night
Other comparisons for Tahoe State Recreation Area
- Tahoe State Recreation Area vs Sugar Pine Point State Park — RVs to 18 ft vs 32 ft
- Tahoe State Recreation Area vs D.L. Bliss State Park — Booking, water, access and rig fit side by side
- Tahoe State Recreation Area vs Emerald Bay State Park — Listed from $35 vs $25/night
- Tahoe State Recreation Area vs Spooner Lake State Park — Listed from $35 vs $10/night