Red Fir

California · Nearby: west of the crest (CA)

Red Fir is near Lake Tahoe, listed on Recreation.gov. It has tent sites.

5.0 (3 reviews)Book on Recreation.gov
ELDORADO
16.4 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe11.6 mi to Emerald Baystraight-line

Quick facts

Agency / operatorNot listed
BookingRecreation.gov [Recreation.gov]
Max RV / trailer lengthNot listed
Bear storageNot listed
SeasonNot listed
HookupsNot listed

Sources: Recreation.gov — Red Fir. "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

Pets
Not listed — check with campground
Booking
Reservable on Recreation.gov Listing
Getting there
16.4 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 11.6 mi to Emerald Bay (straight-line, not driving) Listing
Water
Drinking water listed Listing
Price
Lowest listed rate $125/night (live price once you pick dates) Listing
All 15 facts with sources ↓
  • Drinking Water
  • Picnic Tables
  • Vault Toilets

Why stay here?

  • 11.6 mi from Emerald Bay (straight-line).
  • Public-land campground run by a federal or state agency.

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Your dates & setup

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Site & accommodation options

No recent availability data on Recreation.gov: availability may have changed, so check availability with the provider. Rates are listed rates, not an offer.

No matching options. Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗

Compare booking options

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Recreation.govMain booking button
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Other nearby options

Closest stays by type. Distances are straight-line from Red Fir, not driving.

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No recent availability data on Recreation.gov: this grid may be out of date, so check availability with the provider.

SiteFr
23		Sa
24		Price
1
group tent only area nonelectric
––$125

✓ 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

Red Fir: questions answered

What is the maximum RV length at Red Fir?
No RV sites listed (per the listing)
How do I reserve a site at Red Fir?
Reservable on Recreation.gov (per the listing)

Recent guest reviews

Elizabeth Z ★ 5 · Aug 2025
Just like last year, it’s an amazing and private spot. We did have a few hikers pass through this time, which was unexpected given that it’s a private site. There were quite a few bats, especially near the bathrooms. We did have a bear encounter, but aside from that, we slept peacefully and had an incredible experience. You really can’t beat having your own private area, no cars driving through, no worries about the kids playing. There are plenty of hiking areas nearby, and the lake is within walking distance. The site has four bear-proof food containers, lots of table space, and four BBQs. The camp host was also fantastic.
Elizabeth Z ★ 4 · Oct 2024
Nice and secluded, no service whatsoever so be prepared. It has 4 bear containers and 4 picnic tables. The area was clean and kept up. The restrooms are vault which was the hardest part but manageable. The area has lots of bats, they didn’t come out daily but when they did, there was a lot!

Location

ELDORADO
16.4 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)
11.6 mi to Emerald Bay (straight-line)
Open in Google Maps ↗

Policies

Check-in
2:00 PM
Check-out
1:00 PM
Campfires
Allowed (per listing)

About

Red Fir Group Campground occupies a single tent-only group site on the north side of Loon Lake Reservoir in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area of Eldorado National Forest, sitting at roughly 6,400 feet among tall pine stands. The water is immediately accessible a short walk across the road to the lake so fishing, swimming and small-craft boating are the most convenient activities from camp. A short drive or ride from the site puts you on the Rubicon Jeep Trail for motorized off-road and motorcycle riding, and the area is a gateway for hiking and wilderness backpacking toward Desolation Wilderne…

Amenities

Drinking WaterPicnic TablesVault Toilets

Nearby activities

HikingFishingCampingBoatingSwimming Site
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 No RV sites listed
Road & site access
Listing 1 paved site driveways
Water
Listing Drinking water listed
Shade
Listing 0 of 1 sites that report shade are listed as shaded
Booking
Listing Reservable on Recreation.gov
Price
Listing Lowest listed rate $125/night (live price once you pick dates)
Getting there
Listing 16.4 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 11.6 mi to Emerald Bay (straight-line, not driving)
Hookups & power · Pull-through / back-in · Pets · Generators · Quiet hours · Cell signal · Starlink / satellite · Stay limits
Not listed — check with campground

Nearby parks (straight-line): Emerald Bay 11.6 mi · Sand Harbor 24.5 mi

Check availability
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Build around it

Things to do near Emerald Bay

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 Red Fir with alternatives

All 232 comparisons →

Where Red Fir fits

Area
Campgrounds near Lake Tahoe (nearby areas)
By rig & style
Tent camping at Lake Tahoe
Nearest alternatives
Meeks Bay Resort (10.5 mi) · Sugar Pine Point State Park (10.9 mi) · Kaspian Campground (11.3 mi)

Other stays nearby