U.S. Forest Service · Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit · Tahoma, CA

Meeks Bay Resort

No pets are allowed anywhere at the resort! Meeks Bay Resort has a long tradition as a family vacation and holiday retreat. It is located on western shore of the famed Lake Tahoe (Da ow aga), far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The Washoe Tribe has been a part of the Meeks Bay area of Lake Tahoe (Da ow aga) for many millenium. Their link to the land is an important part of the Meeks Bay Resort charm. It is the perfect spot to recharge those drained reserves and immerse oneself in the spectacular rustic environment. Enjoy the sandy Meeks Bay beach, or rent a kayak or paddle board and venture out onto blue waters.

More like this: electric hookups in California · reservable in California

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Meeks Bay ResortMeeks Bay Resort Entrance SignEntry sign for the Meeks Bay Resort.Showers building
Photos courtesy of Meeks Bay Resort · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Tent-only50
RV with electric23
Cabins with electric21
Host/management5
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

94 sites in 9 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePowerWater / sewerWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresPets
Lodge 7Cabin RowCabinPavedNoLakefront2 / 2YesNo
Lodge 8Cabin RowCabinPavedNoLakefront5 / 2YesNo
Lodge 9Cabin RowCabinPavedNoLakefront6 / 2YesNo
Lodge 10Cabin RowCabinPavedNoLakefront6 / 2YesNo
Lodge 11Cabin RowCabinPavedNoLakefront6 / 2YesNo
Lodge 12Cabin RowCabinPavedNoLakefront6 / 2YesNo
Lodge 13Cabin RowCabinPavedNoLakefront6 / 2YesNo
Lodge 14Cabin RowCabinPavedNoLakefront6 / 2YesNo
Lodge 15Cabin RowCabinPavedNoLakefront6 / 2YesNo
Lodge 16Cabin RowCabinPavedNoLakefront6 / 2YesNo

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsElectric, water
Max vehicle length20 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesMeeks Bay Resort will require a non-refundable down payment equal to 50% of the full daily rental rate on all lodging, RV and Tent sites. The remaining balance must be paid by no later than 30 days prior to check-in.

Lodging: The Kehlet Mansion provides seven bedrooms, three bathrooms and a full size kitchen. Enjoy the private deck, picture windows, and a full event area for weddings, reunions and special events. The Washoe House, also known as the Point House, offers three bedrooms, one bathroom, and a separate studio cabin. Located on the south shore of the bay, it offers unmatched privacy. 12 Lodges with studio, one and two bedroom floorplans. All units have kitchens with utensils and cookware. 7 standalone cabins with studio, one and two bedroom floorplans. All cabins have kitchens stocked with utensils and cookware. Camping: 14 Non-electric campsites for tents and small pop-up trailers found north of Meeks Creek. 40 Non-electric campsites for tents and small pop-up trailers on the southern side of the Meeks Creek. 23 RV sites with full hookups north on the northern side of Meeks Creek. Several are pull through and can accommodate up to 60 feet of tow vehicle and RV. Food and shopping: The Wa She Shu Grill offers a great selection of lunch meals and snacks from 11:00am to 3:30pm daily.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
SeasonMay to October
ForestLake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
BookingFor reservations, visit www.recreation.gov.
RulesNo Pets; Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) only permitted within permanent, iron fire rings when the campground is open.

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Meeks Bay Resort20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 6.37 inches of precipitationFebruary: 6.90 inches of precipitationMarch: 5.52 inches of precipitationApril: 2.78 inches of precipitationMay: 2.02 inches of precipitationJune: 0.84 inches of precipitationJuly: 0.49 inches of precipitationAugust: 0.35 inches of precipitationSeptember: 0.60 inches of precipitationOctober: 1.99 inches of precipitationNovember: 3.40 inches of precipitationDecember: 6.47 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 29.7°F averageFebruary: 29.8°F averageMarch: 33.8°F averageApril: 38.0°F averageMay: 45.7°F averageJune: 54.5°F averageJuly: 61.5°F averageAugust: 61.0°F averageSeptember: 55.4°F averageOctober: 45.7°F averageNovember: 35.8°F averageDecember: 29.4°F average0 in2 in4 in6 in8 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Tahoma, 2 miles from the campground at 6,315 feet, station USC00048760 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 38 inches a year.

Getting there

From the south, take Highway 89 north out of South Lake Tahoe. From the northeast take Highway 28 to Highway 89 south. From Truckee take Highway 89 south.

Nearest townTahoma, California
Coordinates39.0382° N, 120.1234° W · Directions ↗

Charges and cancellations

If I book this reservation today, what are my options to change or cancel? Please remember that reservations at these facilities prevent other visitors from using these sites. You can make changes to your reservation ahead of your arrival date in Reservations. Changes If your new stay dates are completely different from your original stay dates, there is a $10 change fee (per reserved site). There are no additional fees for: Adding or removing nights to your stay. Changing to a different campsite. Balances will adjust based on your new stay's nightly rate. Changes on or after the arrival date are made at the discretion of Resort Management and may result in forfeit of rental fees. Cancellations Meeks Bay Resort will require a non-refundable down payment on all lodging, RV and Tent sites. Reservations will require a down payment equal to 50% of the full daily rental rate. The remaining balance must be paid no later than 30 days prior to check-in.

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Tmu Rx Support

    11 mi from the campground

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗7.2 mi
Outdoor gearAlpenglow Sports ↗9.2 mi
RV sales & serviceCustom Truck Accessories ↗20.2 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Meeks Bay Resort - South Campground - Day Use & Beach | Lake Tahoe

Worth a stop

  • South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Several Casinos and shops at Stateline, NV
  • Boat tours of the lake
  • Emerald Bay State Park and the Vikingsholm Castle
  • D.L. Bliss State Park
  • Tahoe City to the north
  • Several Hiking Trails

Trailheads within three miles

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

Natural features

Meeks Bay (mayála wáťa) is located on the west shore of Lake Tahoe at a 6,225-foot elevation and is surrounded by many of Lake Tahoe’s most famous attractions. You won’t need to go far to experience the iconic views that travelers come from around the world to see. The abundant natural features include snow covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada, forested mountainsides, green meadows, miles of pristine shoreline, and impressive granite boulders. The azure lake is rimmed by footpaths, hiking and biking trails. Don’t miss the spectacular views of De ek Wadapush (Cave Rock) across the lake from the beach of mayála wáťa (Meeks Bay). The more adventurous hiker can traverse the Tahoe Rim Trail which offers panoramic views of the basin. Or one can venture deep into the Desolation Wilderness to Phipps Pass from the Meeks Bay Trailhead.

Recreation

When most people imagine what to do at Lake Tahoe, they think outdoor activities. Enthusiasts will find hundreds of miles of trails to hike, bike, and ride horseback. The Meeks Bay Resort provides sunbathing, beach play, swimming, and scuba diving. Kayak and paddle boards can be rented onsite. While motorized craft are not allowed in the bay, boating and water skiing are readily accessible elsewhere on Lake Tahoe. Anglers can land the big one at dozens of spots. Kokanee salmon and mackinaw, rainbow, Lahontan Cutthroat and brown trout are found throughout the area. The Washoe Tribe has actively helped improve the population of the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (Ɂímgi).

Guidebooks for California

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Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Meeks Bay Resort?

Sites at Meeks Bay Resort are reservable on Recreation.gov. For reservations, visit www.recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Meeks Bay Resort?

Meeks Bay Resort will require a non-refundable down payment equal to 50% of the full daily rental rate on all lodging, RV and Tent sites. The remaining balance must be paid by no later than 30 days prior to check-in.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Meeks Bay Resort?

Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Meeks Bay Resort open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to October.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Meeks Bay Resort have?

99 sites, including 50 tent-only sites, 23 RV sites with electric, and 21 cabins with power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Meeks Bay Resort?

The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Does Meeks Bay Resort have hookups?

Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Meeks Bay Resort?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. No Pets; Campfires (wood, charcoal or any other solid fuels) only permitted within permanent, iron fire rings when the campground is open.

Source: Fire nearby

Is there cell service at Meeks Bay Resort?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is there to do at Meeks Bay Resort?

When most people imagine what to do at Lake Tahoe, they think outdoor activities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Meeks Bay Resort?

Tahoma, California. South Lake Tahoe, CA

Source: Getting there

What if Meeks Bay Resort is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Kaspian Campground (5.5 mi), William Kent Campground (7.2 mi), and Badgers Den At Camp Richardson Resort (8.4 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby