Meeks Bay Campground: A Lake Tahoe Gem

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Amazon
• Pinterest

Meeks Bay Campground in Lake Tahoe is an Instagram influencer’s dream. With crystal blue water with snow-capped mountains in the background, it’s absolutely breathtaking. Lake Tahoe is one of the best California lakes to camp at, and Meeks Bay might just be the best campground at this lake.

Every June for five years, we had camped in Yosemite with my mom, my sister and brother, and their families. When my mom suggested we try somewhere new and go to Meeks Bay, my sister and I were skeptical. But after a few Google image searches, we were on board to give it a try. And Meeks Bay did not disappoint.

What to Know About the Meeks Bay Campground

Amenities at Meeks Bay Resort

There are a couple of campgrounds in Meeks Bay, but we stayed at Meeks Bay Resort. It has both tent sites and full hook-up sites, as well as cabins if camping isn’t your thing and want a little more of a home base. Accessible flush toilets and drinking water are provided. There are bathrooms and token showers on site, and they were both very clean. Each campsite is provided with a table, campfire ring, grill, and food storage locker. There’s also a visitor center and general store on site.

The Wa She Shu Grill is located close to the lake, and the resort offers direct access to a stunning white-sand beach, plus a wide selection of breakfast and lunch meals as well as snacks.

In the main lodge, you’ll find an assortment of souvenirs, clothing, snacks, beverages and ice cream. It also offers a cozy lounge area with a TV to relax at or meet with friends. Visitors can also rent kayaks and paddleboards at the campground.

Area Attractions Near South Lake Tahoe

While definitely not Yosemite, Meeks Bay on Lake Tahoe’s scenic west shore has a little something for everybody. You can drive to a few nearby trailheads, head toward South Lake Tahoe for shopping and dining, or make a practical run to Truckee if you need groceries and supplies. Or you can sit in the sand with a drink in your hand. We did a little bit of each.

The campground sits at 6,225 feet elevation. Its location is near the Sierra Nevada wilderness and adjacent to two California State Parks, so the setting feels especially easy to explore beyond camp.

The protected waters of Meeks Bay offer a premier aquatic destination, with a wide variety of recreation for visitors, and the broader area also draws people in winter for skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling.

Hiking Near the Meeks Bay Campground

A 10-minute drive will get you to Eagle Rock trailhead. There’s limited parking, so like most hikes, you’ll want to arrive early for the best chance at a spot. But it’s only about a 30-min hike up, so cars aren’t parked there all day. And it’s an easy hike. Perfect for families and your dogs (although dogs aren’t allowed at the Meeks Bay Resort–see below for more info). This hike offers beautiful views overlooking Lake Tahoe.

Those feeling more adventurous can traverse the Tahoe Rim Trail and enjoy panoramic views of the basin. Or you can take the scenic Meeks Bay Trail, which starts at the campground and leads hikers into the Sierra-style backcountry of Desolation Wilderness.

The Lake Tahoe Experience

Most of our time at the Meeks Bay campground was spent swimming in the family-friendly designated swimming area, relaxing on the sand for a little sunbathing, or floating in the water along the shore of lake water. Lake Tahoe water is freezing, but a quick splash every now and then was refreshing, and the kids didn’t seem to mind a bit. There’s a snack shack near the water too, serving burgers, sandwiches, soft drinks and other snacks.

Besides the snack shack, there are also rentals available if you are interested in renting a kayak or stand-up paddle board. They offer both half day and full day rentals, and boats and fishing are also popular lake activities here.

If you feel up for a challenge, go searching for the Tahoe rocks. Someone spelled out TAHOE in rocks under water; it took us hours to find it, but we were so proud of ourselves when we did!

How to Book

Lake Tahoe has some of the best campgrounds in Northern California, so reservations can be very competitive. Camping here is seasonal from mid-May through mid-October. To book a campsite at the Meeks Bay Resort campground, you need to use the reservation page. Campsites are booked on a 10-month rolling basis and they do book up quickly. You can also use this app to scan for cancellations if you miss the booking window.

The Meeks Bay campground at Meeks Bay Resort has a total of 54 non-electric tent sites and 23 RV sites with full hook ups. The campground includes multiple single-family campsites, and each campsite, including tent sites, accommodates up to 6 people and 2 vehicles. Many are pull through and can accommodate up to 60 feet of length between the vehicle and RV.

 Final Thoughts

Note: Dogs are not allowed anywhere on the Meeks Bay Resort, which has a strict no-pets policy. For a dog-friendly option that is similar to Meeks Bay, check out the Nevada Beach campground

On our final night, we ordered pizza, and were treated to pizza AND a show when a bear came into the campground. It ran across camp towards some campers, and we watched as one bystander made himself big to scare it away–it worked! Black bears are active in the campground area, so be cautious about wildlife when camping. This is a good reminder that you are in bear country when you visit Lake Tahoe, so be sure to use your bear box for food storage.

Something else to note: We stayed at this Meeks Bay campground during the last week of June, and the fluctuating mountain weather meant very cold nights. During the day, it was a high of about 68 to 72 F, which felt like 90. But as soon as the sun set, it got very chilly and dropped into the low 30s at night.

We were tent camping and were not prepared for this. My mom drove into town after the first night and spent a small fortune on extra blankets so that us tent campers wouldn’t freeze. Even so, it was a great home base for a family trip if you prepare for the weather. Now I am much better prepared with these tips for staying warm while tent camping.

Interested in other Lake Tahoe campgrounds? Check out my complete list of the best Lake Tahoe campgrounds to choose from. And if you prefer staying in a hotel, check out these amazing family resorts in Lake Tahoe.

Affiliate links on this page may earn me commission if you use them to make purchases.