Go if
Hikers targeting Cascade Falls or Granite Lakes who can pull in on a weekday morning. Sites are shaded, spacious for a loop camp, and the Inspiration Point vista is literally at the entrance.
Bayview Trailhead And Day-Use Area
3.7236 reviews35 College Drive South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Featured in:Primitive Camping California
Quick Facts
6,800 ftPrice
$18 - $20/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
12 campsites
Season
Opens May 22, 2026; ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Quick Facts
6,800 ftPrice
$18 - $20/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
12 campsites
Season
Opens May 22, 2026; ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Bayview Trailhead And Day-Use Area
$18.00 - $20.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Camping costs $18 per day, with an additional $2 per day on national holidays.
Standard Site Fee$18.00
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35 College Drive South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Bayview Trailhead And Day-Use Area
35 College Drive South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Nearby places
South Lake Tahoe (8 miles, approximately 15 minutes)
Nearby supplies
South Lake Tahoe has grocery stores, camping supplies, and fuel stations approximately 8 miles away.
Weather at Bayview Trailhead And Day-Use Area
About Bayview Trailhead And Day-Use Area
Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist
Skip if
No campfires, no on-site water (bring everything you'll drink), vault toilets that can get fragrant in warm weather, and multiple reviewers flag rude or disorganized staff, if that combo sounds exhausting, it probably will be.
From the U.S. Forest Service
Reference information about Bayview Trailhead And Day-Use Area sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
Overview
<p><strong>The popular Bayview Trailhead & Day-Use area at Emerald Bay is partially open during construction. This area can be extremely crowded on weekends. Please consider visiting Emerald Bay in the early morning or late afternoon for a more relaxing experience.</strong></p><p>Bayview Trailhead and Day-Use area is located near Emerald Bay on the South Shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe and sits at approximately 7,100 feet in elevation. Opening and closing dates are dependent on weather, but the area is typically open from mid-May through mid-October. Bayview serves as a trailhead for <a class="usa-link usa-link--external" href="/recarea/ltbmu/recarea/?recid=11786" target="_blank">Desolation Wilderness</a>.</p><ul><li>Campfires are not permitted at the trailhead or in Desolation Wilderness.</li><li>Portable propane stoves with on/off switches or valves are allowed with a valid <a class="usa-link usa-link--external" href="https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/" target="_blank">permit</a>.</li><li>A <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233261" target="_blank">wilderness permit</a> is required to enter Desolation Wilderness.</li><li>Day hikers may pick up day-use permits at the self serve kiosk.</li><li>Overnight hikers must obtain an overnight permit before arriving.</li><li>Bear canisters (hard-sided) are required for all overnight visits.</li><li>Lake Tahoe is Bear Country. Before heading out on the trail, be sure to remove all scented items from vehicles and lock doors and windows. </li></ul>
About the campground
The elevation is 6,800 ft. The campground is a single loop in a stand of mixed conifers including White fir and Sugar pine. The trailhead to Desolation Wilderness is at far end of campground. The magnificent [interpretive] Inspiration Point Vista of Emerald Bay - Lake Tahoe is directly across the street from campground entrance. This is a nice campground for tent campers with bear-proof food containers. This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques.
Seasons & access
Open May 13 through October 14 - weather dependent
Facilities
Potable water usually available only through July.
RV information
The parking aprons are paved.
Directions
In South Lake Tahoe, CA, where US Rt. 50 and State Rt. 89 split into Rt. 50 east and Rt. 89 north, take Rt. 89 north (to Tahoe City) 7.7 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign into campground.
- National Forest
- Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
- Ranger District
- Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
- Elevation
- 6,800
- Rate
- $18 per day NOTE: $2 per day additional charged on national holidays.
- Maximum Stay
- 14
