Camp Richardson Resort

Historic lakefront resort — direct beach access, bike paths, marina

Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA, CA

Price: From $80 per night

Price range: $80–$90 per night

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (621 reviews)

Elevation: 6270 feet

Season: May - October

The crown jewel of South Lake Tahoe camping. Camp Richardson sits directly on the southwest shore with paved bike paths running along the lake to multiple beaches. Restaurant (The Grove), ice cream parlor (summer), marina with parasailing and boat rentals, and bike rental shop all on-site. RV hookups are limited and haphazardly placed — bring long extension cords. Best pure lakefront camping at Tahoe. No dogs allowed.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T. Verizon 4G: 0%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.

Amenities: Direct Beach Access, Restaurant (The Grove), Ice Cream Parlor (summer), Marina, Parasailing & Boat Rentals, Bike Rentals, General Store, Fire Pits, Bear Boxes, Hot Showers, Paved Lakeside Bike Path, Emerald Bay Cruise Access

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/camp-richardson-resort to be notified when sites open up.

The most storied campground at Lake Tahoe. Camp Richardson has been a Tahoe institution for over 100 years. The paved bike path that runs directly from camp to multiple beaches is unmatched. You can wake up, bike to a different beach every morning, stop at the ice cream parlor on the way back, and have dinner at the lakefront restaurant without ever leaving the property. That ecosystem of activities within walking/biking distance is what no other Tahoe campground has.

The Grove Restaurant sits right on the beach — you can eat dinner with your feet practically in the sand watching the sunset over the Sierra Nevada. It's one of the most stunning restaurant settings in California. Most campers walk right past it to the camp store and miss it entirely.

What is new at Camp Richardson Resort: New Recreation & Aquatics Center opening in 2026 at the adjacent City Campground by the Lake. Camp Richardson itself completed marina fleet upgrades in 2025. Restaurant menu refreshed for 2026 season.

Wildlife alert: Bears frequent the area — every site has bear boxes and they are mandatory to use. Bears know the campground and have learned to associate it with food.

Fire rules: California fire rules apply. Campfire rings at every site. No fires during Red Flag warnings. Check CalFire.ca.gov before arrival.

Things to do near Camp Richardson Resort: Pope Baldwin Bike Path — flat, paved, runs along the lake through multiple beaches. Rent bikes at the resort. The Grove Restaurant lakefront dinner — one of the best settings in all of California. Ice cream parlor (summer only) — legendary soft serve, long lines after noon, go early. Parasailing from the marina — spectacular views of the Emerald Bay coastline. Emerald Bay boat tour from the marina — accessible only by boat, absolutely stunning.

Insider tips for Camp Richardson Resort: Set booking alert for exactly 30 days ahead — that's their rolling window opening Last-minute cancellations appear at 7am — check daily if you missed the window Lakeside sites book first — specify lakeside vs forest when booking Bike rental at the resort is reasonably priced — no need to bring your own

Skip Camp Richardson Resort if: You have a dog. You need full hookups for a large rig. You're booking less than 30 days ahead in summer.

Best time to visit Camp Richardson Resort: Jun–Aug — Everything is open — ice cream, marina, all activities. Peak Tahoe summer experience.. Sep — Summer crowds gone, all amenities still open, weather perfect. Best value and availability..

Common issues at Camp Richardson Resort: No dogs allowed — zero exceptions, strictly enforced. If you have a dog, book Tahoe Valley (Thousand Trails) instead — they have a large dog park and are pet friendly. RV hookups are limited and haphazardly positioned throughout the campground. Bring a 50-foot water hose and 30-foot electrical extension cable — you will need them. Confirm hookup position for your specific site when booking. Books out extremely fast — summer weekends gone within minutes of opening. Set a calendar alert for exactly 30 days before your target date (their booking window). Be logged in and ready at 7am PST exactly. Ice cream parlor and some amenities are summer-only. Check the resort website for current opening dates. The parlor typically opens Memorial Day weekend and closes Labor Day.

What campers say about Camp Richardson Resort: "Walk to the beach, bike the lake path, eat at the resort, smores at camp. This is Tahoe camping perfected." — The Dyrt 2025 "A Tahoe institution. The historic character, lakefront location, and on-site marina make it unlike anywhere else at the lake." — Epic Lake Tahoe 2025 "No dogs at all — completely caught us off guard at the gate. Plan accordingly if you have pets." — Google 2025 "Limited full hookups and they're awkwardly placed. Bring very long extension cords. But the location makes up for everything." — Reddit 2025 "Had many fond memories here as a child. So glad it's still this special after all these years." — Tripadvisor 2025

How do I book Camp Richardson when it's sold out? Camp Richardson reservations open on a 30-day rolling window at Recreation.gov. Check at exactly 7:00 AM PST daily — cancellations release then. Set a Recreation.gov availability alert on the site type you want. Weekday openings in June–August appear regularly. September is significantly easier to get.

What are the cabin prices at Camp Richardson? Camp Richardson offers several cabin types at Lake Tahoe: Beach Cabins from $275–$350/night (lakefront, sleep 4–6), Standard Cabins from $195–$265/night (sleep 4), and the historic Beachside Inn rooms from $175–$225/night. All cabins include linens. Prices vary by season and specific unit — book directly at camprichardson.com or Recreation.gov. Summer weekends book 6+ months out.

Does Camp Richardson have bike rentals? Yes — Camp Richardson has a full bike rental shop on property. Rates run approximately $15–35/hour or $40–80/day depending on bike type (cruiser, mountain, e-bike). The Pope-Baldwin Bike Path starts at the resort and runs 3.4 miles to Fallen Leaf Lake along the lake shore. No need to bring your own bike.

Can I bring dogs to Camp Richardson? No — Camp Richardson does not allow dogs anywhere on property, including in the campground, cabins, or on the beach. This is strictly enforced. If you have a dog, Tahoe Valley Campground (Thousand Trails, 5 miles away) is pet-friendly with a dog park.

Nearby campgrounds: Badgers Den At Camp Richardson Resort (South Lake Tahoe, CA), Tahoe Valley Campground (South Lake Tahoe, CA), Emerald Bay State Park (South Lake Tahoe, CA), Fallen Leaf Campground (South Lake Tahoe, CA).