Fallen Leaf Campground
Fallen Leaf Campground is situated on the north shore of Fallen Leaf Lake and adjacent to Taylor Creek. The south shore of Lake Tahoe is less than a mile away. The campground features 206 sites that include six yurts and standard tent and RV sites. The campground is typically open from mid-May through mid-October. Fallen Leaf Lake is less crowded and not as well-known as Lake Tahoe, making this a great base camp for exploring the many sights and recreational activities in the area. It's a popular campground and tends to fill quickly.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 198 |
| Cabins with electric | 6 |
| Host/management | 4 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
196 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Pets | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | AREA FALLEN LEAF CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |
| 002 | AREA FALLEN LEAF CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |
| 003 | AREA FALLEN LEAF CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |
| 004 | AREA FALLEN LEAF CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |
| 006 | AREA FALLEN LEAF CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |
| 007 | AREA FALLEN LEAF CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |
| 013 | AREA FALLEN LEAF CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | 37 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |
| 015 | AREA FALLEN LEAF CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |
| 016 | AREA FALLEN LEAF CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |
| 017 | AREA FALLEN LEAF CAMPGROUND | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes | 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 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 187 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 063, 104, 114, 191 and 2 more are listed accessible |
Each yurt provides a cabin-like space for a family of five or six people. The yurts sit on a wooden platform and have an electric light and space heater, but no additional electric plug-ins. Interior furnishings include a futon and bunk beds with mattresses. Cooking supplies and bedding are not provided. The tent and RV sites have paved parking aprons. Each yurt and standard site has a bear-proof food storage locker, campfire ring, pedestal grill and picnic table. Coin-operated shower facilities, water spigots and accessible restrooms with flush toilets are scattered throughout the campground. A camp host is on-site, and firewood and supplies can be purchased from the camp store. A public phone is also available.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit |
| Rules | Leashed pets are allowed. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From South Lake Tahoe, take Highway 89 North from the junction of State Highway 50 and 89. In 3 miles, turn left on Fallen Leaf Road. The campground is about half a mile on the right.
| Nearest town | South Lake Tahoe, California |
| Coordinates | 38.9264° N, 120.0470° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Any location or activity requiring a permit or lottery will have unique requirements and policies. Please check individual facility pages for pertinent information for those sites. Booking Window For most locations, you can reserve six months in advance of your stay for individual sites and 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility. Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.).
Fire nearby
- PrescribedTmu Rx Support
4 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 ↗ | 2.5 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 4.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Custom Truck Accessories ↗ | 20.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Campsite Review: Site 173 Fallen Leaf Campground , Lake Tahoe California Site Tour
Worth a stop
A century ago, what is now the Tallac Historic Site held the ''Grandest Resort in the World'' and the summer retreats for three of San Francisco Bay Area's socially elite families. Today, the remains of the resort and the restored estates attract thousands of visitors annually to recapture this bygone and significant era in Tahoe's history.
- 0.9 miKiva Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 1.5 miBaldwin Beach ↗Swimming
- 3.1 mi
- 3.9 miGlen Alpine Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 4 miEagle Falls Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 6.4 miNevada Beach Pavilion ↗Swimming
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miFallen Leaf Cg Bike Path0.4 mi trail
- 0.3 miRock Garden Trail1.2 mi trail
- 0.3 miVisitor Center to Fallen Leaf0.4 mi trail
- 0.4 miCamp Richardson Corral Trails4.2 mi trail
- 0.4 miMoraine Trail0.5 mi trail
- 0.6 miTallac Bicycle Loop, NRT0.5 mi trail
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.9 miMt. Tallac 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, which overlaps Eldorado National Forest.
- inLake Tahoe Basin Management Unit ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 331,807 acres
- inEldorado National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 793,653 acres
- 1.1 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 campsites do not offer views of either the lake or Taylor Creek, but they are nestled among towering native pine, cedar, fir and aspen. Some are adjacent to wildflower meadows. Guests only need to walk a short distance to Fallen Leaf Lake, where the forested shoreline and surrounding mountains are reflected in its crystal-clear waters. Prominent peaks include Cathedral Peak (8,200 feet) and Mount Tallac (9,735 feet). The surrounding woods provide habitat for squirrels, racoons, chipmunks and a variety of birds. The campground has some resident black bears that are often seen by guests; please be safe around bears.
Recreation
Both Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe offer opportunities for non-motorized and motorized boating, tubing, waterskiing and windsurfing. Fishing is available at both lakes, but anglers generally have better luck at Lake Tahoe. Guests can swim in Fallen Leaf Lake, even though there are no designated swimming areas. The south shore of Lake Tahoe offers the Pope and Baldwin swim beaches. Hikers can access the 1-mile Moraine Trail from the campground. The Taylor Creek Visitor Center is directly across Highway 89 and has interpretive programs, guided walks on the Rainbow Trail and to the Stream Profile Chamber. The Glen Alpine and Mt. Tallac trailheads are nearby for excellent day hiking and backpacking in the Desolation Wilderness. The Pope-Baldwin bike path parallels Highway 89.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Fallen Leaf Campground?
Sites at Fallen Leaf Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Fallen Leaf Campground?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Fallen Leaf Campground?
Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.).
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Fallen Leaf Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Fallen Leaf Campground have?
208 sites, including 198 standard sites without power and 6 cabins with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Fallen Leaf Campground?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Fallen Leaf Campground?
Coin-operated shower facilities, water spigots and accessible restrooms with flush toilets are scattered throughout the campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Fallen Leaf Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Fallen Leaf Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Fallen Leaf Campground?
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. Leashed pets are allowed.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Fallen Leaf Campground?
Sites 063, 104, 114, and 191 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 6 sites in all. 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 Fallen Leaf Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Fallen Leaf Campground?
Both Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe offer opportunities for non-motorized and motorized boating, tubing, waterskiing and windsurfing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation