Luther Pass Campground

California · Nearby: Hope Valley & Carson Pass (CA)

Luther Pass Campground is in South Lake Tahoe, CA, at 7,000 ft, run by the USDA Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

No reviews listedBook on fs.usda.gov
Highway 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA
20.9 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe11.4 mi to Stateline & Heavenly Villagestraight-line

Quick facts

Agency / operatorUSDA Forest Service — Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
BookingFirst come, first served (no reservations) [USDA Forest Service]
Max RV / trailer lengthNot listed
Bear storageForest Order 19-24-03: unattended food and refuse must be in a bear-resistant container (bear boxes, wildlife-resistant dumpsters) [USDA Forest Service]
SeasonSeasonal; 2026 opening date May 22 (LTBMU opening dates); closing date not listed [USDA Forest Service]
HookupsNot listed
First come, first servedFirst come, first served only (free) [USDA Forest Service]

Sources: USDA Forest Service — Luther Pass Campground (checked 2026-10-18); USDA Forest Service — LTBMU Food and Refuse Storage (Forest Order 19-24-03) (checked 2026-10-18). "Not listed" means no source we use states it.

Key facts

Pets
Not listed — check with campground
Booking
No reservations; free, first come, first served · 530-543-2600 Official
Getting there
20.9 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 11.4 mi to Stateline & Heavenly Village (straight-line, not driving) Listing
Water
No potable water Official
Price
Not listed — check with campground
All 17 facts with sources ↓
  • Vault Toilets
  • Trash
  • Fire Rings

Why stay here?

  • 11.4 mi from Stateline & Heavenly Village (straight-line).
  • First come, first served — no reservation needed (or possible).

Choose a site

Availability coming soon · check with USDA Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

This campground isn't in our live listing feed yet, so we don't show open sites or prices. No reservations; free, first come, first served

First come, first served (no reservations)

530-543-2600

Run by: USDA Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

Campsites: 11 campsites that can be used on a first-come, first served basis

Facts checked 2026-10-18 on:

Before you go

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

Luther Pass Campground: questions answered

Does Luther Pass Campground have RV hookups?
None listed (primitive campground) Official
When is Luther Pass Campground open?
Seasonal; 2026 opening date May 22 (LTBMU opening dates); closing date not listed. Official
How do I reserve a site at Luther Pass Campground?
No reservations; free, first come, first served · 530-543-2600. Official

Location

Highway 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA
20.9 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)
11.4 mi to Stateline & Heavenly Village (straight-line)
Open in Google Maps ↗

Policies

Stay limit
5 days per season
Booking
First come, first served (no reservations)

About

Primitive, free backcountry campground on Highway 89 about 16 miles south of South Lake Tahoe, just up the road from the Big Meadow Trailhead on the Tahoe Rim Trail. Eleven first-come, first-served sites with a five-day stay limit per season, vault restrooms and a dumpster; no potable water. Elevation 7,000 ft.

Amenities

Vault ToiletsTrashFire Rings

Nearby activities

Hiking
At a glance: all 17 facts with sources

At a glance

Managed by USDA Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Official facts link to their source; “Listing” facts come from the fs.usda.gov listing. Anything we can't source says so.

Electric service
None listed (primitive campground) Source: USDA Forest Service
Water
No potable water Source: USDA Forest Service
Booking
No reservations; free, first come, first served · 530-543-2600 Source: USDA Forest ServiceListing First come, first served — pay on site
Official fees
No fee Source: USDA Forest Service
Stay limits
5 days per season Source: USDA Forest Service
Getting there
Listing 20.9 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 11.4 mi to Stateline & Heavenly Village (straight-line, not driving)
Season
Seasonal; 2026 opening date May 22 (LTBMU opening dates); closing date not listed Source: USDA Forest Service
Max rig length · Pull-through / back-in · Road & site access · Pets · Generators · Quiet hours · Cell signal · Starlink / satellite · Shade · Price
Not listed — check with campground

Nearby parks (straight-line): Emerald Bay 12.7 mi · Sand Harbor 27.9 mi

Build around it

Things to do near Stateline

All activities →
No rig? Fly & Drive

RV rentals for this stay

This listing doesn't publish RV length limits — confirm your rig fits. Fly into Reno (~33 mi, ~55 min to Lake Tahoe, approx.) or rent locally.

Find an RV that fits →
Pick up near RNO

2022 Minnie Winnie 22M

Class C motorhomeSleeps 6 4.6 (10)
Sparks, NV · 8 mi from RNO airport (straight-line)
Drivable — no tow vehicleDelivery up to 40 miPets OK
Availability not connected · to estimate
from $217/nightvia RVRentals.com

Compare Luther Pass Campground with alternatives

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20.9 vs 11.2 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)

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Where Luther Pass Campground fits

Area
Campgrounds near Lake Tahoe (nearby areas)
By rig & style
Dispersed camping at Lake Tahoe: the rules
Nearest alternatives
Lake Tahoe KOA Journey (4.2 mi) · Tahoe Valley Campground (7.6 mi) · Fallen Leaf Campground (9.6 mi)

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