Cruises & boats
Northshore Campground (Loon Lake)
California · Nearby: west of the crest (CA)
Northshore Campground (Loon Lake) is near Lake Tahoe, listed on Recreation.gov. It has tent and RV sites.
16.8 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe11.8 mi to Emerald Baystraight-line
Quick facts
| Agency / operator | Not listed |
|---|---|
| Booking | Recreation.gov [Recreation.gov] |
| Max RV / trailer length | Not listed |
| Bear storage | Not listed |
| Season | Not listed |
| Hookups | Not listed |
Sources: Recreation.gov — Northshore Campground (Loon Lake). "Not listed" means no source we use states it.
This weekend (Fri, Oct 23 – Sun, Oct 25): Book online. Reservations online on Recreation.gov — open dates and rates come from the booking site.
Key facts
- Max rig length
- Longest RV site listed: 50 ft (20 of 24 RV sites list a length) Listing
- Hookups & power
- Hookup type not listed for RV sites Listing
- Pull-through / back-in
- 2 pull-through, 11 back-in Listing
- Booking
- Reservable on Recreation.gov Listing
- Getting there
- 16.8 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 11.8 mi to Emerald Bay (straight-line, not driving) Listing
- Campfire Rings
- Drinking Water
- Firewood
- Food Storage Locker
- Host
- Lake Access
Why stay here?
- 11.8 mi from Emerald Bay (straight-line).
- RV sites listed for rigs up to 50 ft.
- Rated 4.0★ across 52 guest reviews.
Choose a site
Your dates & setup
Checking 2 nights (your saved dates or this weekend). Showing options for: 35-ft RV.
Sites that match your setup
No recent availability data on Recreation.gov: availability may have changed, so check availability with the provider. Rates are listed rates, not an offer.
RV Nonelectric
Up to 6 peopleRVs up to 50 ftNo hookups
✓ Fits your setup
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “RV Nonelectric”.
$36/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
RV Nonelectric
Up to 6 peopleRVs up to 35 ftNo hookups
✓ Fits your setup
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “RV Nonelectric”.
$36/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
2 sites like thisUp to 6 peopleRV length limit not listedNo hookups
? Length limit not listed
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$36/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
3 sites like thisUp to 12 peopleRVs up to 50 ftNo hookups
✓ Fits your setup
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$72/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
RV Nonelectric
2 sites like thisUp to 12 peopleRV length limit not listedNo hookups
? Length limit not listed
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “RV Nonelectric”.
$72/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
RV Nonelectric
Up to 12 peopleRVs up to 50 ftNo hookups
✓ Fits your setup
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “RV Nonelectric”.
$72/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
Up to 12 peopleRVs up to 35 ftNo hookups
✓ Fits your setup
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$72/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗Compare booking options
You book with the provider. Each row shows that provider's lowest open option that fits your setup for your dates, and which provider our main button uses.
Recreation.govMain booking button
No recent availability data — check availability on the provider's site
Check availability
Pick your dates again on this provider's site.
Other nearby options
Closest stays by type. Distances are straight-line from Northshore Campground (Loon Lake), not driving.
- Closest public campgroundRed Fir0.4 mi away (straight-line) · PublicCheck availabilityCheck availability on Recreation.gov ↗
- Closest private full-hookupLake Tahoe KOA Journey18.8 mi away (straight-line) · PrivateCheck availabilityCheck availability on KOA ↗
- Closest public / first-comeLoon Lake1.3 mi away (straight-line) · PublicCheck availabilityCheck availability on Recreation.gov ↗
- Next closestGerle Creek4.3 mi away (straight-line) · PublicCheck availabilityCheck availability on Recreation.gov ↗
View calendar · night-by-night from Recreation.gov
No recent availability data on Recreation.gov: this grid may be out of date, so check availability with the provider.
| Site | Fr 23 | Sa 24 | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 standard nonelectric | – | – | $36 |
| 6 rv nonelectric | – | – | $36 |
| 7 standard nonelectric | – | – | $36 |
| 10 standard nonelectric | – | – | $36 |
| 11 standard nonelectric | – | – | $36 |
| 12 rv nonelectric | – | – | $36 |
| 16 rv nonelectric | – | – | $36 |
| 18 standard nonelectric | – | – | $36 |
| 19 standard nonelectric | – | – | $36 |
| 20 standard nonelectric | – | – | $36 |
| 21 standard nonelectric | – | – | $36 |
| 22 standard nonelectric | – | – | $36 |
| 23 standard nonelectric | – | – | $36 |
| 24 rv nonelectric | – | – | $36 |
| 2 standard nonelectric | – | – | $72 |
| 3 rv nonelectric | – | – | $72 |
| 5 standard nonelectric | – | – | $72 |
| 8 rv nonelectric | – | – | $72 |
| 9 standard nonelectric | – | – | $72 |
| 13 rv nonelectric | – | – | $72 |
| 14 rv nonelectric | – | – | $72 |
| 15 standard nonelectric | – | – | $72 |
| 17 standard nonelectric | – | – | $72 |
| 25 standard nonelectric | – | – | $72 |
✓ available · R reserved · X not available · C closed · W first come, first served · N not yet released
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
Longest RV site listed: 50 ft. Unsure if your rig fits? Check it in the Lake Tahoe Rig Fit tool
Northshore Campground (Loon Lake): questions answered
- What is the maximum RV length at Northshore Campground (Loon Lake)?
- Longest RV site listed: 50 ft (20 of 24 RV sites list a length) (per the listing)
- Does Northshore Campground (Loon Lake) have RV hookups?
- Hookup type not listed for RV sites (per the listing)
- How do I reserve a site at Northshore Campground (Loon Lake)?
- Reservable on Recreation.gov (per the listing)
- Are pets allowed at Northshore Campground (Loon Lake)?
- Allowed (per the listing)
Recent guest reviews
Pete C ★ 5 · Oct 2025Nice, small campground with excellent lake views and access as well as easy access to the Rubicon.
SR J ★ 5 · Aug 2025Enjoyed our stay very much. Campground Host Mike was wonderful.
Shari B ★ 5 · Aug 2025Very clean. The camp host was amazing!
Location
16.8 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)
11.8 mi to Emerald Bay (straight-line)
Open in Google Maps ↗
Policies
- Check-in
- 02:00 PM
- Check-out
- 01:00 PM
- Pets
- Allowed (per listing)
- Campfires
- Allowed (per listing)
About
Northshore Campground sits on the north shore of Loon Lake off Ice House Road (Forest Road 3), about 23 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50 and then roughly 31 miles north on the forest road to the Loon Lake fork. The campground is small and manageable with 24 total sites: 16 sites that accommodate both RVs and tents and 8 RV-only sites, so it works well for people seeking easy lake access without a large, crowded loop. Campsites put you close to the water for swimming and fishing, and the nearby Loon Lake Campground provides a boat ramp plus a five-site picnic area at the ramp for lake-si…
Amenities
Campfire RingsDrinking WaterFirewoodFood Storage LockerHostLake AccessPets Allowed
Nearby activities
BoatingFishingCampingHikingHorseback RidingOff Highway Vehicle TrailsPicnicking
At a glance: all 15 facts with sources
At a glance
Official facts link to their source; “Listing” facts come from the Recreation.gov listing. Anything we can't source says so.
- Max rig length
- Listing Longest RV site listed: 50 ft (20 of 24 RV sites list a length)
- Hookups & power
- Listing Hookup type not listed for RV sites
- Pull-through / back-in
- Listing 2 pull-through, 11 back-in
- Road & site access
- Listing 24 paved site driveways; 4 hike-in sites
- Pets
- Listing Allowed
- Cell signal
- Listing Visitor-reported signal on Recreation.gov (higher is better): AT&T 1 (11 reports), T-Mobile 0 (6 reports)
- Water
- Listing Drinking water listed
- Booking
- Listing Reservable on Recreation.gov
- Price
- Listing Lowest listed rate $36/night (live price once you pick dates)
- Getting there
- Listing 16.8 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 11.8 mi to Emerald Bay (straight-line, not driving)
- Generators · Quiet hours · Starlink / satellite · Shade · Stay limits
- Not listed — check with campground
Nearby parks (straight-line): Emerald Bay 11.8 mi · Sand Harbor 24.9 mi
Check availability
For your RV
- Longest RV site listed here: 50 ft.
- No dump station listed — check with the provider.
- No hookups listed.
Build around it
Things to do near Emerald Bay
Compare Northshore Campground (Loon Lake) with alternatives
Public-agency campground
vs Gerle Creek
16.8 vs 21 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)
Read comparison →Public-agency campground
vs Loon Lake
RVs to 50 ft vs 35 ft
Read comparison →Public-agency campground
vs Wolf Creek
16.8 vs 24.7 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)
Read comparison →Where Northshore Campground (Loon Lake) fits
- By rig & style
- Tent camping at Lake Tahoe
- Nearest alternatives
- Meeks Bay Resort (10.8 mi) · Sugar Pine Point State Park (11.3 mi) · Kaspian Campground (11.7 mi)
Other stays nearby
Red Fir
Tent sites
Check availability
Rates & availability from Recreation.gov · Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Loon Lake
Tent sites · RV sites
Check availability
Rates & availability from Recreation.gov · Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Gerle Creek
Tent sites · RV sites
Check availability
Rates & availability from Recreation.gov · Continue to Recreation.gov ↗