Kit Carson Campground
Nestled in a forest of Jeffrey pines and aspens, Kit Carson campground is perfect for tent camping and smaller RVs. The west fork of the Carson River is located next to the campground, with several sites right next to the water. Great fishing and views! Kit Carson is exceptionally beautiful in the fall.
Sites 1, 3, 7 and 12 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 | 9 |
| Tent-only | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
12 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 | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lower Loop | Tent only | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 02 | Lower Loop | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 03 | Lower Loop | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 04 | Lower Loop | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 05 | Lower Loop | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 06 | Upper Loop | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 07 | Upper Loop | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 08 | Upper Loop | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 09 | Upper Loop | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | Upper Loop | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
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 |
This campground has drinking water, garbage containers, and vault toilets. Each campsite has a bear box, fire pit and picnic table. There is a camp host on site and firewood is available for sale.
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 at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234739 or by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777). |
| Fees | Per Day: $26 Single/$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 Hwy 89 over Luther Pass to the 88/89 interchange. Turn left on 88; go approximately 1 mile to campground entrance on your left. From Gardnerville, Carson City or Minden, Nevada, take Hwy 395 to Hwy 88. Head south on Hwy 88 for approximately 19 miles to the campground entrance in Woodfords Canyon on north side.
| Nearest town | Markleeville, California |
| Coordinates | 38.7768° N, 119.8946° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedTmu 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
| Outdoor gear | Tahoe Gear Exchange ↗ | 11 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 12.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Custom Truck Accessories ↗ | 25.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Kit Carson Campground - Toiyabe National Forest, CA
Worth a stop
There are a number of nearby attractions that have something for everyone. Sorensen’s Resort has limited groceries and a restaurant. Lake Tahoe is within 20 miles; a trailhead for the Tahoe Rim Trail is within 5 miles; Grover Hot Springs State Park in Markleeville offers public soaking in natural spring-fed pools; numerous local restaurants and, for those who like night life, nearby casinos and theaters in Minden and Carson City, Nevada.
- 9 miEcho Lakes Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12.2 miGlen Alpine Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 13.4 mi
- 13.4 mi
- 14.5 miNevada Beach Pavilion ↗Swimming
- 14.7 miBaldwin Beach ↗Swimming
Trails nearby
- 0.5 miHorsethief1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.5 miDouble Pickett Peak Trail ↗0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
- 1.8 miPickett Peak Trail ↗0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 2.3 miBurnside Lake Trail 2 ↗1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
- 2.9 miLuther Scotts1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.9 miBurnside Lake Trail 3 ↗0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
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
Eldorado National Forest begins about 5.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.3 miEldorado National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 793,653 acres
- 6.9 miLake Tahoe Basin Management Unit ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 331,807 acres
- 7.2 miMokelumne Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 104,048 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
On the National Register nearby
- Webster Schoolhouse, OldBuilding · Markleeville · 8.3 mi
- Alpine County CourthouseBuilding · Markleeville · 8.4 mi
- Jobs Peak RanchBuilding · Genoa · 8.6 mi
Natural features
Kit Carson is situated on the west fork of the Carson River in Woodfords Canyon along Highway 88. In addition to the beauty of the river, the campsites are surrounded by quaking aspens and rugged canyon walls.
Recreation
Visitors can explore scenic driving and photography along the Carson Pass Scenic Byway. Enjoy the splendor of fall with colorful foliage displays or fishing and boating in one of the several nearby lakes. Hikers are surrounded by trailheads within a short drive – Mokelumne Wilderness, and the Pacific Crest Trail, among many others. Whether it is rock climbing or exploring the canyon, outdoor enthusiasts will relish the options in this area.
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 Kit Carson Campground?
For some sites. Sites 1, 3, 7 and 12 are first-come, first-served. The other sites take reservations.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Kit Carson Campground?
Per Day: $26 Single/$6 Extra Vehicle.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Kit Carson Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Kit Carson Campground have?
12 sites, including 9 standard sites without power and 3 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Kit Carson Campground?
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 Kit Carson Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Kit Carson Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Kit Carson 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. California camp fire permit required ( https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/htnf/passes-permits/?cid=fseprd673196 ).
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Kit Carson 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 Kit Carson Campground?
Visitors can explore scenic driving and photography along the Carson Pass Scenic Byway. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Kit Carson Campground?
Markleeville, California. There are a number of nearby attractions that have something for everyone.
Source: Getting there
What if Kit Carson Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Crystal Springs (2.8 mi), Indian Creek Campground (6.2 mi), and Silver Lake East- Eldorado (7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby