Fallen Leaf Campground

FALLEN LEAF CAMPGROUND

Part of Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

Overview

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Contact Info

This location has limited staffing. Please call (530) 541-1537 for general information.

Important Notices

  • All campers must register at the campground entrance kiosk. Using the pre-check in will require you to check in with the campground office upon arrival.

  • Reservation holders must be present at check-in
  • Forest Order No. 19-15-01: Prohibits camping for a combined total of no more than 14 days during a calendar year (January-December), forest-wide. Visitors may book campsites annually but the maximum stay may not exceed a total of 14 days each calendar year (January-December).
  • No cooking is permitted inside yurts. Smoking in yurts is prohibited.Yurt rentals do offer electricity for the provided electric light and space heater. There are no additional electric plug-ins.

  • Pets are allowed at all tent and RV sites (a maximum of two pets per site); pets not permitted at yurts. No pets on the Beach.

  • The campground is available by reservation only; first-come, first-served sites are not available.
  • Maximum of six people per site.
  • Transport or introduction of aquatic invasive species is illegal. Please keep boats clean, drained and dry, and dispose of any debris away from all water sources.Click here for more information.
  • Please Note: One RV with tow vehicle per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground. Yurt fee includes one vehicle.

  • Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures click here for further information Fire Restriction  

  • Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests. 

  • Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
  • Click here for more information about Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

Notifications and Alerts

  • Please note, only third parties who have a contracted permit with the USFS may deliver and pick up RVs for visitors. The only company currently permitted to do this is Tahoe RV Rentals, https://www.tahoervrentals.com. RVs rented from a non-permitted rental company outside of the campground are allowed, but the RV must be driven in and removed by the registered guest.

Available Activities

  • SWIMMING SITE - Swimming
  • WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
  • WATER SPORTS - Water Skiing
  • VISITOR CENTER - Ranger Station
  • HIKING - Hiking
  • FISHING - Fishing
  • INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS - Educational Programs
  • CAMPING - Camping
  • HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITE - Historic Sites
  • BOATING - Boating
  • BIKING - Biking

Directions

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.

Cancellation Policy

<p><strong>Rules & Reservation Policies</strong></p> <p>As you make travel plans that include reservations on Recreation.gov, there are standard policies that apply to most locations of which you should be aware. Do keep in mind, however, that there are many exceptions, so it is best to review reservation information listed on individual facility pages for those policies and procedures that pertain to your specific locations.</p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>Booking Window</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>Camping </strong>/ Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.</p> <p>You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.</p> <p>Tours & Tickets: You may request changes to tour dates at no cost before the arrival date. If you cancel before your tour date, you may be eligible for a refund. Cancellation fees apply. Please check the tour facility description details page for cancellation policies.</p> <p>Permits: Varies by location. Please check the permit details for the permit location.</p> <p><strong>Late Cancellations</strong></p> <p>Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival.</p> <p>Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply.</p> <p>Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.</p> <p><strong>Group Facility:</strong> If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.</p> <p>Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge.</p> <p>No-Shows</p> <p><strong>Camping </strong>/ Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date.</p> <p>If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees.</p> <p>Tours: A tour or ticket no-show is one who does not cancel a ticket before arrival and does not arrive for the tour. Tour no-shows are not entitled to a refund.</p> <p><strong>Refunds</strong></p> <p>Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure.</p> <p><strong>Reservation Fee:</strong> For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location.</p> <p>Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card.</p> <p>Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.</p> <p>Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure.</p> <p>Recreation.gov Billing Information</p> <p>Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777."</p> <p>Changes to Policies and Procedures</p> <p>Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July </p>

Contact Information

Phone: 530-544-0426

P.O. Box 9047
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158
2165 Fallen Leaf Road
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

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