A visit to Emerald Bay State Park is a minimum requirement for any Lake Tahoe trip. As home to some of Tahoe’s most iconic views, trails, and history, it’s categorically a more-is-more type of spot. So while stopping for a quick hike is great, spending the whole weekend enjoying some Emerald Bay camping is even better.
While there’s tons of camping around Lake Tahoe, only two are true Emerald Bay campgrounds: Eagle Point Campground for trailers, van camping and tents, and the Emerald Bay Boat-In Campground for boat-in only, tent access.
Let’s take a closer look at your Emerald Bay camping options:
How To Reserve An Emerald Bay Campground
Both Eagle Point Campground and the Emerald Bay Boat-In Camp require reservations through ReserveCalifornia.com. Search Emerald Bay SP to find both campgrounds.
A few things worth knowing before you try to book:
- Sites open 6 months in advance to the day. If you have a specific date in mind over the summer, you’ll have to plan ahead. We’re talking, set a calendar reminder and be ready to move fast! For a Saturday night in July, that means you’re booking on the Saturday 6 months prior. Eagle Point sites go within hours, and coveted Boat-In Camp sites can disappear within minutes of opening.
- Weekdays are significantly easier to book. If you have any flexibility in your schedule, targeting Sunday through Thursday nights is much, much easier. You’ll often to be able to snag weekday sites even just weeks in advance.
- The $8 reservation fee is non-refundable. The nightly rate is refundable with enough notice, but the $8 reservation is lost if you choose to cancel. Most people are prepared to just swallow this cost, since reservations are so competitive.
- Don’t give up! Cancellations happen. If you missed the opening window, keep checking ReserveCalifornia in the days and weeks leading up to your preferred date. Cancellations open up regularly, especially for weekday nights, and especially in the last-minute window! You can also use apps like Campflare to send you cancellation alerts.
Eagle Point Campground in Emerald Bay State Park
- 45 tent-only campsites, 52 car/trailer campsites; 97 campsites total
- Coin-operated showers, flush toilets & potable water
- No water, sewage or power hookups available
- Pets allowed on a 6’ leash only in the campground
- $25-$45 per night, plus $8 reservation fee
- Reservations on ReserveCalifornia.com. (Search for Emerald Bay SP)
Eagle Point Campground is the king of Emerald Bay camping, as it happens to be both the largest and the only standard campground in the state park.
Between the upper and lower loop, you’ll find 97 total campsites. Only 52 of them can accommodate a trailer or small RV, while the others are reserved for humble ol’ tent camping. Tent or trailer, every site has access to clean, updated restrooms, cozy fire pits, spacious bear boxes and a picnic table to enjoy your burgers around.
Trails sprout from every corner of the campground; dusty paths leading to private beaches, secluded viewpoints and even the widely traversed Rubicon Trail. Although this trail hugs the lake’s edge all the way to DL Bliss State Park, most campers hike an abbreviated version that ends at Vikingsholm or Eagle Falls.
Upper Eagle Point
The upper loop is home to campsites #1-33. Popular opinion will tell you that the upper loop is the less favorable half of the campground. Sites here are a bit smaller, hugging the mountainside as they wind down towards the bay. You’ll also face a longer trek to the beach—one that, compared to the lower loop sites, includes an uphill (but very scenic!) hike home.
Regardless, these sites sell like hot cakes. Spend one day fighting for day-use parking near Vikingsholm and you’ll realize why. Small site or not, you’re still getting incredible access to all of Emerald Bay. The views from these sites ain’t too bad either. Every site enjoys flashes of blue peeking through the pine canopies, and some campsites (hey, #29) enjoy unadulterated views of the lake below.
Note: If the size or flatness of your site matters to you, check out campsite photos before you book.
Lower Eagle Point
The lower loop favors a more traditional campground layout with spacious sites sprawling across a (mostly) flat area. Access to Emerald Bay and the rest of Lake Tahoe is much easier from these sites—about a quarter-mile trek.
The overlook trailhead, with its unreal views of Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe, also starts in the lower loop. But other than that, amenities are the same as you’ll find in Upper Eagle Point.
While many of the sites have epic lake views, one of the best campsites at Eagle Point Campground is site #77, which offers views of Emerald Bay, plus a private trail down to the lake. The space, views and proximity to the beach far exceed the $45 price tag!
Note about wildlife while camping in Emerald Bay State Park: Humans aren’t alone in loving Eagle Point Campground. Be sure to keep food, beverages & anything scented in the bear box at all times. Actually, it’s required. Yellow jackets are also common here. Pack along a yellow jacket trap, and we promise they’ll be far less pesky. (While we’re on the topic, here’s some other camping gadgets we love.)
Emerald Bay Boat-In Camp in Emerald Bay State Park
- 22 tent only campsites total
- Vault toilets, potable water
- No showers or hookups
- Campground pier and individual buoy
- Pets allowed on a 6’ leash only in the campground
- $35 per night, plus $8 reservation fee
- Reservations on ReserveCalifornia.com. (Search for Emerald Bay SP)
A much smaller, more primitive version of its neighbor across the bay, the Emerald Bay Boat-In Camp is the only other official campground in Emerald Bay State Park. Although it sits along the Rubicon Trail, it’s squarely a boat-in only campground.
Taking Lake Tahoe camping to the next level, all sites at Emerald Bay Boat-In Camp come with a personal buoy and access to the campground’s private dock. While we personally would take a private buoy over a hot shower any day, it’s worth noting that the campground amenities pretty much stop there. Bare necessities like vault toilets and potable water await on-land, as well as picnic tables, fire pits and bear boxes. But (soapless) showers must be dutifully taken in the lake.
What the campground lacks in amenities, it makes up for in privacy. Apart from a few day hikers, it’ll just be you, fellow campers, a sky full of stars, and flawless views of Emerald Bay and the rest of Lake Tahoe. Oh, and maybe the occasional black bear. (Please secure all food items in the bear box.)
Although all 22 sites are just steps from the lake, only a few come with true lakefront real estate. (Campsites #1 and #22 are especially enviable.) There’s a private beach, excellent hiking along the Rubicon Trail towards either Vikingsholm or DL Bliss State Park, and did we mention the privacy?
It’s a rare delight to have such a private and secluded accommodation option in one of Lake Tahoe’s most popular areas. We adore it.
Some really solid advice: The Emerald Bay Boat-In Camp is a not-so-secret secret. If you’re set on spending a few nights here, we recommend either carving out some weekday availability or setting an alarm six months ahead of your preferred date so you can book your site right as availability opens.
And remember—kayaks and paddleboards count as boats too! Check with local retailers for multi-day rentals if you’re interested in staying but don’t own a ski boat.
Head’s up! You might see the name Bayview Campground floating around while you research. While it was previously an ultra-small, first-come, first-served campground sitting just on the other side of Hwy 89, Bayview Campground has been converted into extra parking for Emerald Bay State Park visitors.
It’s still a great place to know about if you’re looking for access to Emerald Bay viewpoints, some of Lake Tahoe’s best hiking trails (Maggie’s Peak!), or the rest of Desolation Wilderness. But for standard camping, it’s no longer an option.
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It’s true that it takes patience; it takes planning; and if you’re lucky, it takes paddling to go camping at Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay successfully. But we’re pretty sure you don’t need us to tell you that it’s worth it.
Now that you up-to-speed on all there is to know—it’s time to start packing for that Emerald Bay camping trip! Check out our favorite camping gadgets & gear here. (Interested in other Lake Tahoe camping options? Check out our Lake Tahoe Campground Guide for sleep-under-the-stars sites all around the lake.)
Emerald Bay Camping: Frequently Asked Questions
The Boat-In Camp is only accessible by water. There’s no road or car access to the campsites themselves. You can arrive by motorized boat, kayak, or paddleboard, with most people launching from the marinas in South Lake Tahoe or from the beach near Vikingsholm Castle. The campground has its own pier, and each site comes with a personal mooring buoy. If you don’t have a boat, opt for a multi-day kayak rental from one of the rental companies in South Lake Tahoe.
No. Eagle Point has no water, sewage, or electrical hookups. Each site includes a picnic table, fire pit, and bear box. But, there are coin-operated showers and flush toilets around the campground, with potable water. Plus, sites are tiny and often uneven. It’s not a great RV option in general.
For summer weekends (June–August), book exactly 6 months in advance on ReserveCalifornia.com. It’s insanity, but sites go fast and genuinely get booked out that far in advance. Weekday availability is far easier, and cancellations happen all the time. But if you have a specific date in mind, you’ll need to book within minutes of the availability opening, 6 months in advance.
Yes! Pets are allowed in both campgrounds on a 6-foot leash. They’re allowed in the campgrounds and your campsite, but dogs are not permitted on dirt trails within Emerald Bay State Park or on the beaches.
Eagle Point is a standard drive-in campground with 97 sites, showers, and flush toilets, accessible by car from Highway 89. The Boat-In Camp is a primitive, water-access-only campground with 22 sites, vault toilets, and personal buoys. Eagle Point is more family-friendly and convenient; the Boat-In Camp is more secluded and adventurous. Both have fire pits, bear boxes, and premium access to Emerald Bay’s trails and shoreline.
No. Both campgrounds open around Memorial Day weekend and close in late September or early October, depending on the weather. But, the park itself and its viewpoints are accessible year-round from Highway 89.
Be bear aware! Black bears are active throughout Emerald Bay State Park. All food, beverages, and scented items must be stored in the provided bear boxes at all times—required, not optional. Yellow jackets are also common at Eagle Point in summer. In general, food attracts wildlife. So keep a clean campsite, and you won’t have any issues.
Still want to check out Emerald Bay, but not sure about camping? See our guide to Emerald Bay boat tours, cruises, and kayak rentals → for all your on-the-water options.
