Fallen Leaf Campground Review: South Lake Tahoe’s Hidden Forest Gem

If you’re craving a peaceful, forested escape near the iconic blue waters of Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Campground offers the seclusion, space, and scenery RVers and tent campers dream about. Nestled among towering pines just outside South Lake Tahoe, this U.S. Forest Service campground manages to feel remote while being close to top-notch recreation. In this post, we’ll walk you through the campground, our summer Workamping experience, and why this spot should be on your camping radar.

This post contains affiliate links. As a participant in Amazon Associates and various affiliate programs, we are compensated when qualifying purchases are made through our referral links at no additional cost to you. Full Disclosure

Bear Spray Banner
Fallen Leaf Lake at Fallen Leaf Campground

Location & Setting

Fallen Leaf Campground is tucked away just 3 miles off Highway 89, on the north shore of quiet, crystalline Fallen Leaf Lake—a hidden gem just south of the much more popular Lake Tahoe. The campground sits about half a mile down Fallen Leaf Road and is surrounded by pine, cedar, fir, and aspen trees. While campsites don’t offer direct lake views, many back to meadows or forest, and it’s just a short walk to the lake itself.

  • Address: Fallen Leaf Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
  • GPS Coordinates: 38.92560735 -120.0509111
  • Nearby Attractions: Lake Tahoe (1 mile), Taylor Creek Visitor Center, Mt. Tallac Trailhead, Glen Alpine Trailhead

Campsites & Amenities

There are 206 sites, including tent-only sites, RV sites (no hookups), and 6 yurts. Sites are generally spacious and more spread out than your average campground, especially along the outer loops.

  • RV & Tent Sites: Paved parking aprons, picnic tables, pedestal grills, fire rings, bear-proof food lockers
  • Yurts: Basic furnishings, bear lockers
  • Hookups: None, except for camp host and CLM employee sites
  • Bathhouses: Coin-operated showers, flush toilets (two new restrooms added in 2020)
  • Water: Scattered spigots throughout the campground
  • Camp Store: Closed during 2020; check current status before visiting
  • Firewood & Supplies: Available from camp hosts

Important: This is bear country—use the provided lockers and follow food storage regulations.

Bear Spray Banner

Prices & Reservations (As of 2025)

  • Standard Site: $40/night (was $36 in 2020)
  • Yurt Site: $95/night (was $87 in 2020)
  • Reservations: Recreation.gov (limit 14 nights per year)

Pro Tip: Sites fill quickly during peak season (mid-May to mid-October), especially on weekends. Book as early as possible.

Our Workamping Experience

After our 2020 Alaska trip was canceled due to COVID-19, Lisa and I decided to take a summer Workamping job with California Land Management (CLM), which operates Fallen Leaf and other nearby campgrounds. We were stationed at Pope and Baldwin Beaches, where we sold day passes from kiosks.

Our compensation? Free full-hookup site (#69—our biggest to date), hourly pay, and the chance to spend 99 nights in one of the most beautiful corners of California.

Fallen Leaf Campground Site 69

The campground was peaceful, quiet, and felt wonderfully removed from the buzz of South Lake Tahoe. Wildlife was plentiful—we saw coyotes, countless chipmunks, and even had a few bears wander through our site.

Fallen Leaf Campground
Top Hiking Gear on Amazon

Hiking, Recreation & Things to Do

You’re surrounded by adventure here:

  • Fallen Leaf Lake: Swimming, kayaking, SUP, fishing (though I got skunked fly fishing!)
  • Lake Tahoe Beaches: Pope and Baldwin offer great sandy spots
  • Hiking:
    • Moraine Trail (1-mile loop): Starts in campground
    • Mt. Tallac Trailhead: For serious elevation gain and epic views
    • Glen Alpine Trailhead: Access to Desolation Wilderness
  • Biking: The Pope-Baldwin bike path runs along Hwy 89
  • Taylor Creek Visitor Center: Great interpretive trails (check for seasonal closures)

Photography Tip: Fallen Leaf Lake at sunrise is a stunner—glass-like water, colorful sky, and alpine reflections.

Fly Fishing Gear - Shop Now on Amazon

Fishing Fallen Leaf Lake

Dog-Friendly?

Yes! Dogs are welcome on leash and allowed in the water. There’s no official dog park, but plenty of space to roam. Sierra and Ruby loved it.

Internet, Mail & Connectivity

  • Cell Signal (T-Mobile): Spotty, occasional 1 bar
  • Verizon MiFi: 1–2 bars; basic browsing early morning/late night only
  • Streaming: Not reliable
  • Mail: General delivery available at South Lake Tahoe Post Office
  • Packages: The Mail Bag and More in town was a lifesaver

If you rely heavily on connectivity, plan accordingly. We made it work with a bit of patience and timing.

Pros & Cons

ProsCons
Spacious, shady sites with a remote feelNo hookups for regular campers
Walking distance to beautiful Fallen Leaf LakePoor cell/internet service
Wildlife everywhere (bears, coyotes, chipmunks)High demand during peak season
Clean facilities and friendly staff

Things to See and Do

Final Thoughts

If you want to enjoy the South Lake Tahoe area without feeling like you’re in a tourist circus, Fallen Leaf Campground delivers. Whether you’re boondocking in a tent or backing in your big rig, you’ll find the space, serenity, and scenery to disconnect and breathe.

Would we go back? In a heartbeat. Especially with a Workamping gig like this one.

Have you stayed at Fallen Leaf Campground? Leave us a comment—we’d love to hear your experience!

If you’re looking to build your own home-based business like we have with this webpage, check out Wealthy Affiliate.

Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform that you can build your whole affiliate marketing business on. It combines training, software, and website hosting into one. This makes the whole process of starting an online business from scratch much easier, especially if you’re new to building a website.

Leave a Comment