Adventure
William Kent Campground
California · West Shore & Emerald Bay (CA)
William Kent Campground is in Tahoe City, CA, run by the USDA Forest Service. It has tent and RV sites and glamping or cabin units.
Tahoe City, CA
7.2 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe2 mi to Tahoe Citystraight-line
Quick facts
| Agency / operator | USDA Forest Service — Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit |
|---|---|
| Booking | Recreation.gov — Most campsites: 6 months before arrival (check the Seasons & Fees tab) [Recreation.gov] |
| Max RV / trailer length | No official limit published; Longest site on Recreation.gov: 40 ft [Recreation.gov] |
| Bear storage | Forest Order 19-24-03: unattended food and refuse must be in a bear-resistant container (bear boxes, wildlife-resistant dumpsters) [USDA Forest Service] |
| Season | 2026 opening May 22 (LTBMU opening dates); closing date not listed [USDA Forest Service] |
| Hookups | Not listed |
| Dogs | Max 2 pets per site; no pets on beaches; pet rules strictly enforced [USDA Forest Service] |
Sources: Recreation.gov — Tips for Making Campsite Reservations at Popular Locations (checked 2026-10-18); Recreation.gov — William Kent Campground (checked 2026-10-18); USDA Forest Service — LTBMU Food and Refuse Storage (Forest Order 19-24-03) (checked 2026-10-18); USDA Forest Service — Lake Tahoe Basin: 2026 Opening Dates (checked 2026-10-18); USDA Forest Service — William Kent Campground (checked 2026-10-18). "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: 57 ft (76 of 76 RV sites list a length) Listing
- Hookups & power
- Hookup type not listed for RV sites Listing
- Pull-through / back-in
- 0 pull-through, 79 back-in Listing
- Booking
- Reservable on Recreation.gov Listing
- Getting there
- 7.2 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 2 mi to Tahoe City (straight-line, not driving) Listing
- Accessible Flush Toilets
- Water Drinking
Why stay here?
- 2 mi from Tahoe City (straight-line).
- RV sites listed for rigs up to 57 ft.
- Has cabins if you don't want to bring gear.
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.
Standard Nonelectric
4 sites like thisUp to 6 peopleRVs up to 50 ftNo hookups
✓ Fits your setup
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$42/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
Up to 6 peopleRVs up to 35 ftNo hookups
✓ Fits your setup
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$42/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
9 sites like thisUp to 6 peopleRVs up to 40 ftNo hookups
✓ Fits your setup
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$42/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
4 sites like thisUp to 6 peopleRVs up to 38 ftNo hookups
✓ Fits your setup
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$42/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
3 sites like thisUp to 6 peopleRVs up to 45 ftNo hookups
✓ Fits your setup
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$42/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
Up to 6 peopleRVs up to 48 ftNo hookups
✓ Fits your setup
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$42/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
3 sites like thisUp to 6 peopleRVs up to 46 ftNo hookups
✓ Fits your setup
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$42/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
2 sites like thisUp to 6 peopleRVs up to 37 ftNo hookups
✓ Fits your setup
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$42/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 William Kent Campground, not driving.
- Closest glampingMeeks Bay Resort7.2 mi away (straight-line) · PublicCheck availabilityCheck availability on Recreation.gov ↗
- Closest private full-hookupVillage Camp Truckee13.8 mi away (straight-line) · PrivateAvailable for your dates79 - Economy Pull Through: from $80/nightCheck availability on Hipcamp ↗
- Closest public / first-comeKaspian Campground1.8 mi away (straight-line) · PublicCheck availabilityCheck availability on Recreation.gov ↗
- Next closestLake Forest Campground3.6 mi away (straight-line) · PublicFirst come, first servedCheck availability on tcpud.org ↗
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. Showing 40 of 79 sites.
| Site | Fr 23 | Sa 24 | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 057 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 054 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 042 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 036 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 055 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 034 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 052 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 043 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 019 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 065 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 030 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 004 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 045 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 015 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 031 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 024 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 066 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 071 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 039 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 040 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 025 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 048 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 044 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 062 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 056 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 041 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 070 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 035 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 060 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 072 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 061 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 069 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 053 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 022 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 033 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 058 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 021 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 046 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 023 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
| 020 standard nonelectric | – | – | $42 |
✓ 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: 57 ft. Unsure if your rig fits? Check it in the Lake Tahoe Rig Fit tool
William Kent Campground: questions answered
- What is the maximum RV length at William Kent Campground?
- Longest RV site listed: 57 ft (76 of 76 RV sites list a length) (per the listing)
- Does William Kent Campground have RV hookups?
- Hookup type not listed for RV sites (per the listing)
- When is William Kent Campground open?
- 2026 opening May 22 (LTBMU opening dates); closing date not listed. Official
- How do I reserve a site at William Kent Campground?
- Reservable on Recreation.gov (per the listing)
- What are the food storage rules at William Kent Campground?
- Forest Order 19-24-03: all food and refuse not personally attended must be in a bear-resistant container; use the campground's bear boxes and wildlife-resistant dumpsters. Official
- Are pets allowed at William Kent Campground?
- Allowed (per the listing)
Recent guest reviews
Rose M ★ 5 · Oct 2025Great location. Barb at the front gate was very pleasant and helpful. We loved being able to walk to Sunny side restaurant and the walking and biking trail along the lake.
Vicki L ★ 5 · Oct 2025Beautiful flat campsite. Easy walk to beach, bike trails, and restaurant. Very few campers in Oct. Perfect weather. Love this place!
Ann D ★ 5 · Oct 2025Beautiful spot, close to nature and food. Late season was great because it was not crowded. Very clean grounds and bathrooms.
Location
7.2 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)
2 mi to Tahoe City (straight-line)
Open in Google Maps ↗
Policies
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Max stay
- 14 nights
- Pets
- Allowed (per listing)
- Campfires
- Allowed (per listing)
About
William Kent Campground sits on Lake Tahoe's west shore about 2 miles south of Tahoe City along California Highway 89, occupying more than 80 sites within a neighborhood setting where tall pines, cedars and firs create pockets of privacy amid shallow gullies and low ridges. The campground straddles the highway and includes a busy, well-used day-use area directly across the road for lake access, so expect easier access to water-based recreation but also some traffic noise compared with more remote sites. There are 79 sites in all: 76 that accommodate both RVs and tents and three glamping yurts.…
Amenities
Accessible Flush ToiletsWater Drinking
Nearby activities
Swimming SiteWater SportsVisitor CenterFishingInterpretive ProgramsCampingBoatingBiking
At a glance: all 17 facts with sources
At a glance
Managed by USDA Forest Service (Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit; operated by California Land Management). 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: 57 ft (76 of 76 RV sites list a length)
- Hookups & power
- Listing Hookup type not listed for RV sites
- Pull-through / back-in
- Listing 0 pull-through, 79 back-in
- Road & site access
- Listing 76 paved site driveways
- Pets
- Listing Allowed
- Cell signal
- Listing Visitor-reported signal on Recreation.gov (higher is better): Verizon 1 (193 reports), AT&T 2 (151 reports), T-Mobile 2 (100 reports)
- Water
- Listing Drinking water listed
- Shade
- Listing 79 of 79 sites that report shade are listed as shaded
- Booking
- Listing Reservable on Recreation.gov
- Price
- Listing Lowest listed rate $42/night (live price once you pick dates)
- Stay limits
- Most National Forest campgrounds at Lake Tahoe: 14-day limit per calendar year and six people per campsite Source: USDA Forest ServiceListing 14 nights max
- Getting there
- Listing 7.2 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 2 mi to Tahoe City (straight-line, not driving)
- Bear & food storage
- Forest Order 19-24-03: all food and refuse not personally attended must be in a bear-resistant container; use the campground's bear boxes and wildlife-resistant dumpsters Source: USDA Forest Service
- Season
- 2026 opening May 22 (LTBMU opening dates); closing date not listed Source: USDA Forest Service
- Generators · Quiet hours · Starlink / satellite
- Not listed — check with campground
Nearby parks (straight-line): Sand Harbor 12.7 mi · Emerald Bay 13.1 mi
Check availability
For your RV
- Longest RV site listed here: 57 ft.
- No dump station listed — check with the provider.
- No hookups listed.
Build around it
Things to do near Tahoe City
Compare William Kent Campground with alternatives
Public-agency campground
vs Kaspian Campground
Listed from $42 vs $30/night
Read comparison →Public-agency campground
vs Silver Creek-Truckee
RVs to 57 ft vs 30 ft · listed from $42 vs $20/night
Read comparison →Public-agency campground
vs Northshore Campground (Loon Lake)
RVs to 57 ft vs 50 ft · 7.2 vs 16.8 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)
Read comparison →Where William Kent Campground fits
- Booking & agency
- Booking Recreation.gov campgrounds at Lake Tahoe
- By rig & style
- Glamping & cabins at Lake Tahoe · Tent camping at Lake Tahoe · Big-rig-friendly campgrounds (40 ft+) · Van & truck camper camping at Lake Tahoe · Dog-friendly campgrounds at Lake Tahoe
- Nearest alternatives
- Kaspian Campground (1.8 mi) · Tahoe State Recreation Area (2.7 mi) · Lake Forest Campground (3.6 mi)
Other stays nearby
Kaspian Campground
Tent sites
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Rates & availability from Recreation.gov · Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Sugar Pine Point State Park
Tent sites · RV sites w/ hookups
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Rates & availability from reservecalifornia.com · Continue to reservecalifornia.com ↗
Silver Creek-Truckee
Tent sites · RV sites
Check availability
Rates & availability from Recreation.gov · Continue to Recreation.gov ↗