Hope Valley
Hope Valley Campground is located in its beautiful namesake valley at an elevation of 7,300 feet, just 40 minutes south of Lake Tahoe. Visitors enjoy fishing the West Fork Carson River and exploring local trails.
Sites 1, 3, 11, 15 and 20 are first-come, first-served. The other sites take reservations.
More like this: first-come in California · reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 19 |
| Tent-only | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
21 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Loop 1 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 002 | Loop 1 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 003 | Loop 1 | Standard | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 004 | Loop 1 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | Loop 1 | Standard | Back-in | 18 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 006 | Loop 1 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 12 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | Loop 1 | Standard | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 008 | Loop 1 | Standard | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 009 | Loop 1 | Tent only | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 010 | Loop 1 | Tent only | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 12 / – | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Fees | Per Day: $32 single/$50 double/$6 extra vehicle |
| Accessibility | Site 017 is listed accessible |
This tent and RV-friendly campground has been completely reconstructed and offers all new single and double-family campsites with picnic tables, campfire rings, grills, food storage lockers and tent pads. Vault toilets, garbage service and drinking water are provided. Firewood is available for purchase from the host.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | May to September |
| Forest | Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations are required for most campsites by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639) or on-line at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232185. |
| Fees | Per Day: $32 single/$50 double/$6 extra vehicle |
| Rules | California camp fire permit required ( https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/htnf/passes-permits/?cid=fseprd673196 ). Dog must be on a leash at campground. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From South Lake Tahoe, take Highway 89 over Luther Pass. At the junction of Highways 88 and 89, make a right and travel 2 miles west on Highway 88, then turn south and proceed to the campground.
| Nearest town | Markleeville, California |
| Coordinates | 38.8973° N, 119.9301° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedTmu Rx Support
3 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Sierra ↗ | 3.9 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Custom Truck Accessories ↗ | 18.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Hope Valley Campground - Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, CA
Worth a stop
Hope Valley is only 40 miles from the beautiful Lake Tahoe. Tahoe offers excellent boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking and scenic driving opportunities.
- 5.9 miNevada Beach Pavilion ↗Swimming
- 7 miKiva Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 7.5 miEcho Lakes Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8 miBaldwin Beach ↗Swimming
- 8.2 miGlen Alpine Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9.7 mi
Trails nearby
- 1 miCold Creek Trail ↗5.5 mi trail
- 1 miPower Line Trail3.6 mi trail
- 1.1 miStar Lake Trail3.8 mi trail
- 1.2 miHigh Meadows OHV Trail0.8 mi trail
- 1.9 miRailroad Grade Trail1.5 mi trail
- 2 miAl Tahoe Connector0.3 mi trail
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.5 miHigh Meadows Trailhead ↗Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
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
This campground sits inside Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
- inLake Tahoe Basin Management Unit ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 331,807 acres
- 4.6 miEldorado National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 793,653 acres
- 7.5 miDesolation Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 64,041 acres
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.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The campground is situated in a forest of Jeffrey and lodgepole pines on the edge of Hope Valley. The area affords views of the scenic valley and surrounding forested mountains.
Recreation
The West Fork Carson River runs nearby, offering rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing. Numerous trails in the area provide excellent hiking and backpacking opportunities.
Guidebooks for California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Hope Valley?
For some sites. Sites 1, 3, 11, 15 and 20 are first-come, first-served. The other sites take reservations.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Hope Valley?
Per Day: $32 single/$50 double/$6 extra vehicle
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Hope Valley?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Hope Valley have?
21 sites, including 19 standard sites without power and 2 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Hope Valley?
The longest site here provides 45 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
Are pets allowed at Hope Valley?
Yes, pets are allowed at Hope Valley. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Hope Valley?
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. California camp fire permit required ( https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/htnf/passes-permits/?cid=fseprd673196 ).
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Hope Valley?
Site 017 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Hope Valley?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 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 Hope Valley?
The West Fork Carson River runs nearby, offering rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Hope Valley?
Markleeville, California. Hope Valley is only 40 miles from the beautiful Lake Tahoe.
Source: Getting there
What if Hope Valley is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Nevada Beach Campground (5.9 mi), Badgers Den At Camp Richardson Resort (6.5 mi), and Eagles Nest At Camp Richardson Resort (6.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby