Weekend Camping Near Reno
The best campgrounds within 2 hours — Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada, and high desert. Picked for a Friday-to-Sunday trip.
Reno sits at the crossroads of three very different camping landscapes: the alpine Lake Tahoe basin to the west, the Sierra Nevada high country to the southwest, and the Great Basin desert to the east. All of them are within 2 hours. These are the campgrounds worth driving to on a Friday afternoon.
8 campgrounds for this trip
Curated with verified intel — not just a database dump
Mount Rose Campground
Reno, NV
45 min from Reno · Summit views of both Lake Tahoe and the Nevada desert
Nevada Beach Campground
Zephyr Cove, NV
45 min from Reno · East shore Lake Tahoe, sandy beach, swimming
Fallen Leaf Campground
South Lake Tahoe, CA
1h 15min · Secluded lake, old-growth firs, quieter than the main Tahoe campgrounds
Wild Plum
Nevada City, CA
2h via Hwy 49 · Creek runs through camp, hidden swimming hole downstream
Frenchman Campground
Chilcoot, CA
2h via Hwy 70 · High Sierra lake, fishing, pine forest, dog-friendly
Davis Creek Regional Park
Washoe Valley, NV
30 min north · Open year-round, shaded sites, closest campground to Reno
Pyramid Lake Marina & RV Park
Sutcliffe, NV
40 min north · Paiute Tribal land, surreal teal-green alkaline lake, fishing
Silver City RV Resort
Dayton, NV
20 min west · Full hookups, open year-round, closest RV camping to downtown Reno
Frequently asked
What is the best campground for a weekend trip from Reno?
Mount Rose Campground (45 min) is the most accessible — 10 minutes from the Lake Tahoe basin with views of both the lake and the Nevada desert. Wild Plum near Sierra City (2 hours) is the best full-weekend destination for creek camping and hiking.
How far is Lake Tahoe camping from Reno?
Nevada Beach Campground on the east shore is 45 minutes from downtown Reno. Camp Richardson and Fallen Leaf on the west shore are 1 hour 15 minutes. All are reservable on Recreation.gov or direct.
What campgrounds near Reno are open year-round?
Davis Creek Regional Park (30 min north) and Silver City RV Resort (20 min west) are open year-round. Most Lake Tahoe campgrounds close November through April due to snow. Pyramid Lake is open year-round.
Do I need a reservation for Lake Tahoe campgrounds?
Yes — all USFS and state park campgrounds on Lake Tahoe require reservations from May through October and book out weeks to months in advance on summer weekends. Book on Recreation.gov (USFS) or ReserveCalifornia.com (state parks) as early as possible.
What is the closest camping to downtown Reno?
Davis Creek Regional Park in Washoe Valley is 30 minutes south of downtown Reno and is often the best option for a last-minute camping trip. Sites are first-come first-served on weekdays and reservable on weekends.