Camping 101 in the Truckee/Tahoe Area

This post comes from TMS Ambassador – Coral Taylor, an avid mountain biker, yogi, snowboarder and outdoor enthusiast living in Truckee, CA. Follow @c_ros on Instagram for rad photos of her adventures around Lake Tahoe and beyond.

The more people who can enjoy the beauty of nature and the serenity it brings, the better. As much I enjoy the solitude in the woods, it makes me happy to see more people experiencing it for themselves, because with a greater appreciation for this natural world that we are a part of, the more connection we have and the more we realize that our actions have a direct effect on the environment.

Where to Go & What to Do:

There are many great options for a first-time camping experience in the Tahoe-Truckee area. You can also rent all the camping gear you need, right from my favorite shop, Tahoe Mountain Sports. Here are a few suggestions in the Truckee/Tahoe area:

Donner Memorial State Park is located at the east end of Donner Lake, in Truckee, CA. Campsites can be reserved online, and are $35/night, with bear boxes at each site for food, and centrally located restrooms and showers at various locations in the park. In my opinion, the best sites are the ones near the south side of the park, as part of the Splitrock Loop (sites 108 – 152), because you are closer to hiking trails and Donner Lake, and further away from Highway 80.

If you stay here, I recommend swimming in Donner Lake, hiking around on the many trails originating from the park, or even going to the Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center to learn about the region’s history.

Lake Forest Campground is located on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, near downtown Tahoe City, CA. Campsites are available on a first come, first served basis, and are only $20/night, so this is a great location to go either mid-week or during the shoulder seasons (Spring and Fall), but make sure that the campground is actually open before you go – it closes for the winter October 15. Although there are no showers at this campground, the invigorating water of Lake Tahoe is steps away!

If you stay here, there are a number of restaurants and shops in downtown Tahoe City within walking distance. There are also two grocery stores in Tahoe City, allowing for easy access to food. If you stay here, I recommend renting a bike from Olympic Bike Shop and riding along the bike path from Tahoe City down the west shore of Lake Tahoe, for a picnic and swim!

Meeks Bay Campground is located along the west shore of Lake Tahoe next to one of the most gorgeous stretches of beachfront at the lake. Campsites can be reserved online or in person, and range from $28 – $30/night. Campsites have bear boxes for food storage, and there are centrally located restrooms throughout the facility. I recommend the sites furthest to the east (and away from Highway 89), to get closest to the Lake and away from traffic noise.

If you stay here, I recommend swimming in Lake Tahoe (the Meeks Bay shelf makes this part of the lake a little warmer than other locations) or hiking from the Meeks Bay Trailhead into Desolation Wilderness (Lake Genevieve is a great spot for a swim and a picnic).

Mt. Rose Campground is located near the summit of Mt. Rose, just southwest of Reno, NV and northeast of Lake Tahoe, at an elevation of 9,300 feet. Campsites can be reserved online and are $20/night. Restrooms, potable water, picnic tables and fire rings are provided.

If you stay here, there are multiple hiking trails in the area, with some stunning views towards the east of Reno and Washoe Valley, and towards the southwest of Lake Tahoe. If you’re feeling athletic, check out the Mount Rose Summit Trail, to enjoy the views from the top!

What to Bring?

No matter how experienced or inexperienced of a camper you are, this question always arises. Gear can get expensive, and if you’re new to camping and aren’t sure if this is your thing, then making an investment in the fanciest items won’t make sense for everyone. (Of course, my hope is that you’ll fall in LOVE with camping and the outdoor life and make it your mission to camp and get outside as much as possible!) Here’s a list of the basics, with my take on what’s important or not.

• Tent – A small two-person tent is great for most adventures for a couple, and if you get one that is small and lightweight enough, it will also work for future backpacking adventures. If you have a pet, or want a little more room, a three-person tent will offer a little more space. IMPORTANT

• Sleeping Pad – Necessary for a good night’s sleep, I recommend a sleeping pad that is air filled, rather than a foam core. Not only do sleeping pads soften your sleeping surface, they also provide insulation. CRITICAL

• Sleeping Bag – I love my sleeping bag and use it for car camping, backpacking, or even staying over at friend’s houses. There are a lot of different types of bags out there, from two person bags to ultra-lightweight mummy bags. If you can, go check out some different bags in person to find out what feels comfortable for you. Bringing blankets from home will work too, but your feet may get cold without the zipped bottom of a sleeping bag. IMPORTANT

• Pillow – The beauty of car camping is that you can just bring a pillow from home. If you’re backpacking, rolling your jacket into a pillow works too. Or this inflatable pillow from Sea to Summit is super awesome – small, lightweight, comfortable, and isn’t noisy due to the fabric covering.

• Headlamp – When night falls, you’ll want to see where you’re stepping. Or if you’re lying in your sleeping bag, and want to enjoy some summer reading (or get caught up on scientific journal articles), a headlamp is the best way to go. There are many options ranging in cost, but for a relatively minor investment, your headlamp will come in handy for so many non-camping situations that you’ll wonder what you ever did without it. CRITICAL

• Cookware – You can get as fancy as you want with your camp kitchen set up, with everything from a Coleman stove and kitchen sink, or a JetBoil and dehydrated meals, or keep it simple with sandwiches and snacks, or even prepping your food in advance. Of course, remember utensils, including a knife, a cup, a spork, and a bowl. I love food, and eating something delicious that I prepared while camping is even better. I usually end my evenings with a nice cup of tea and start the day off with coffee every morning, so a JetBoil is a critical item for me. CRITICAL

• Food & Water – Depending on where you go and what your plan is for dining, you’ll want to bring food with you. Of course, if you’re watching your budget and are concerned about the quality of food you ingest, cooking your own meals is a great way to cut costs and ensure you are only eating the finest. I also recommend electrolytes, such as the Nuun hydration tablets. When you are exercising at altitude, it can be taxing on the body, and staying hydrated with electrolytes can help out a lot. Also, bring water and water bottles with you – depending on where you go and the potable water supply, you may need more or less water. The general rule of eight 8-ounce glasses of water per person per day needs to be adjusted to allow for more water when activity levels and temperature increase. CRITICAL

• Clothing – Daytime – shorts, t-shirt, long-sleeve shirt, socks, sun hat, bathing suit, hiking/running shoes/flip flops/sandals. Evening – pants, long sleeve shirt, gloves, warm hat, puffy coat, socks, shoes. Night time – socks, gloves, and a warm hat can make a cold evening much more comfortable, when paired with your regular night wear. CRITICAL

• Miscellaneous – Towel for swimming/showers. Book for reading. Journal, camera, paints and paper for capturing the beauty around you. Binoculars. Hammock – enjoy an afternoon nap. Bug spray. Sunscreen. Playing cards. Day pack if you plan to hike – make sure it has room for your water, sunscreen, extra layer, and snacks.

If you don’t want to purchase a bunch of camping stuff at this time, Tahoe Mountain Sports has a number of items that they rent out, including tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads. This is a great way to minimize costs without investing in gear that you may or may not want to use again (although I hope you enjoy your experience and want to camp more and more), and to learn more about what kind of gear works best for you and your family.

Important Reminders

If you do make a campfire, make sure to put it out. Dump water on it. Then dirt. Then stir it up. Then add more water. Then add more dirt. Check, double check, and triple check your fire site to make sure that the fire is 100% out. Feel the ground for heat. Then add more water.

Pick up your garbage. And any other garbage you see. Respect the pristine outdoors and add your energy to keeping it that way. Leave no trace and encourage others to do the same.

Turn off your phone. Unplug. Close your eyes and breathe in the clean air. Listen to the sounds around you. Smell the foliage. Reconnect – with yourself, with your loved ones, with the nature around you. Enjoy the mundane and see the grace and beauty in nature, which we are all a part of.