Zephyr Cove RV & Campground

Full resort: beach, marina, paddlewheeler, horseback — most activities at Tahoe

Location: Zephyr Cove, NV, NV

Price: From $64 per night

Price range: $64–$101 per night

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (512 reviews)

Elevation: 6614 feet

Season: Year-round

Federal campground on Lake Tahoe's southeast shore with the most activities of any Tahoe campground. The resort includes mile-long sandy beach across the highway, the M.S. Dixie II paddlewheeler, marina with boat and watercraft rentals, horseback riding, and a full restaurant. RV sites accommodate up to 50ft. Walk-in tent sites require hiking gear uphill from parking.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.

Amenities: Full RV Hookups (water, sewer, electric), Beach Access (across hwy), Marina, Restaurant & Bar, Watercraft Rentals, M.S. Dixie II Paddlewheeler, Horseback Riding, Private Showers, Flush Toilets, General Store, Pet Friendly, ATV Tours, Snowmobile Tours

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

No other campground at Lake Tahoe offers this concentration of activities in one place. The M.S. Dixie II paddlewheeler is a Lake Tahoe institution operating since 1965. Horseback riding, watercraft rentals, marina, restaurant, and a mile of sandy beach are all accessible without getting in a car. For families who want to do things rather than just camp, this is the play.

The M.S. Dixie II is the largest and most historic vessel on Lake Tahoe — a 150-passenger sternwheeler operating since 1965. The 2.5-hour sunset dinner cruise departs right from Zephyr Cove Marina. Most Tahoe visitors never do it. Every Tahoe camper should.

What is new at Zephyr Cove RV & Campground: New Airstream rental units added in 2025 for guests wanting unique accommodations. The restaurant and sunset bar received a refresh in late 2025. Watercraft rental fleet updated with newer paddleboards and kayaks for 2026 season.

Fire rules: Nevada fire restrictions apply. Campfires in designated rings only. Check Nevada fire restrictions before arrival at nevadafireinfo.nv.gov.

Things to do near Zephyr Cove RV & Campground: M.S. Dixie II sunset cruise — book ahead, 2.5 hours, departs from the marina steps from camp. Horseback riding through the Tahoe basin trails — book same day you book camping. Zephyr Cove beach sunset — one of the best west-facing sunset views on the Nevada side. ATV/snowmobile tours through Nevada backcountry (season dependent).

Insider tips for Zephyr Cove RV & Campground: Sites #60–93 are quieter and more wooded — request specifically Bring credit card for the $30/day deposit — not disclosed online Book M.S. Dixie II before you book camping — it fills faster than the campsites Check-in at the lodge store ACROSS the highway — leave rig in the campground lot first

Skip Zephyr Cove RV & Campground if: You value privacy and quiet. You're tent camping with heavy gear and can't hike uphill. You need hookups for a large rig (max 50ft but tight turns).

Best time to visit Zephyr Cove RV & Campground: Jul–Aug — All activities fully running. Beach at peak. M.S. Dixie running multiple daily cruises.. Nov–Apr — Year-round campground — snowmobile and ATV tours available. Dramatically less crowded..

Common issues at Zephyr Cove RV & Campground: $30/day damage deposit NOT disclosed on Recreation.gov — surprise at check-in. Bring a credit card specifically for this. It's returned if you leave the site clean. Budget for it mentally before you arrive. Walk-in tent sites require hiking gear uphill from parking lot — not communicated at booking. If you have a rooftop tent or heavy gear, book an RV or drive-in site instead. Walk-in is for traditional tent campers with portable gear only. Check-in is at the resort lodge across Highway 50 — confusing and dangerous crossing. Park in the campground first, then walk to the lodge. Don't try to pull your rig up to the office on the highway side. Sites are cramped with minimal privacy. Book sites #60–93 — deeper in the campground, more wooded, more private. Avoid sites #1–20 near the highway entrance.

What campers say about Zephyr Cove RV & Campground: "The M.S. Dixie sunset cruise was the single best experience of our entire Tahoe trip. Book it before you arrive." — Tripadvisor 2025 "Location is unbeatable — beach across the road, restaurant next door, marina steps away. The campground itself is secondary." — The Dyrt 2025 "$30/day damage deposit not disclosed anywhere on Recreation.gov. Complete lack of transparency." — Campendium 2025 "They moved us to a different site at check-in with no explanation and said "too bad" when we questioned it. Frustrating." — Campendium 2025 "Came for the boat rentals and paddlewheel cruise. Campground is fine. Activities are why you're here." — RVLife 2025

Nearby campgrounds: Nevada Beach Campground (Zephyr Cove, NV), Hope Valley (MARKLEEVILLE, NV), Badgers Den At Camp Richardson Resort (South Lake Tahoe, CA), Tahoe Valley Campground (South Lake Tahoe, CA).