State Parks Near South Lake Tahoe, California
23 state park units lie within 50 miles of South Lake Tahoe, including 9 parks across the line in Nevada. The closest is Van Sickle Bi-State Park, about 3 mi northeast of town. 16 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Van Sickle Bi-State Park3 mi northeast
- Within 25 miles
- 16of 23 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 141 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 19pets allowed
State parks near South Lake Tahoe, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central South Lake Tahoe; driving distance is usually longer.
Van Sickle Bi-State Park
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, biking, wildlife watching, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Van Sickle Bi-State Park →Washoe Meadows State Park
Things to do include fishing, wildlife watching, geocaching, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Washoe Meadows State Park →Lake Valley State Recreation Area
Lake Valley State Recreation Area is a 173-acre recreation area in El Dorado County, about 4 miles south of South Lake Tahoe.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Valley State Recreation Area →Emerald Bay State Park
The park supports snorkeling and diving, historic sites, boating, swimming, and fishing. The official site lists about 7.4 miles of trails. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Emerald Bay State Park →D. L. Bliss State Park
Visitors come for snorkeling and diving, historic sites, swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching. The official site lists about 7.4 miles of trails. On the water side, there is a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for D. L. Bliss State Park →Cave Rock - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, and picnicking. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Cave Rock - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park →Mormon Station State Historic Park
The park supports historic sites, wildlife watching, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Mormon Station State Historic Park →Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
Visitors come for snorkeling and diving, historic sites, boating, swimming, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park →Spooner Lake & Backcountry - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, biking, wildlife watching, and fishing. Its trail network totals roughly 50 miles, according to the park. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Spooner Lake & Backcountry - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park →Ward Creek Park Property
The park supports wildlife watching, geocaching, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Ward Creek Park Property →Grover Hot Springs State Park
Popular activities here are swimming, fishing, wildlife watching, geocaching, and biking. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Grover Hot Springs State Park →Sand Harbor - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Sand Harbor - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park →Tahoe State Recreation Area
Visitors come for biking and hiking. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Tahoe State Recreation Area →Burton Creek State Park
Visitors come for hiking. The official site lists about 6 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Burton Creek State Park →Kings Beach State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are surfing, boating, swimming, fishing, and picnicking. Water access includes a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Kings Beach State Recreation Area →Washoe Lake State Park
The park supports horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, and wildlife watching. Water access includes a boat ramp. Overnight options include 49 campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Washoe Lake State Park →Dayton State Park
Visitors come for historic sites, biking, wildlife watching, fishing, and hiking. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites and tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Dayton State Park →Donner Memorial State Park
Visitors come for surfing, historic sites, boating, swimming, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Donner Memorial State Park →Nevada’s Newest State Park
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, wildlife watching, fishing, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Nevada’s Newest State Park →Fort Churchill State Historic Park & Buckland Station
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, biking, wildlife watching, and fishing. Overnight options include 20 campsites, with RV sites and tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Churchill State Historic Park & Buckland Station →Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Visitors come for historic sites, swimming, fishing, ranger programs, and wildlife watching. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Calaveras Big Trees State Park →Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park
Things to do include historic sites, ranger programs, wildlife watching, picnicking, and hiking. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park →Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Popular activities here are historic sites, boating, fishing, ranger programs, and picnicking. Water access includes a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near South Lake Tahoe
- Emerald Bay State Park 7 mi west · Campground listed
- D. L. Bliss State Park 7 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Mormon Station State Historic Park 9 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park 11 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Spooner Lake & Backcountry - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 13 mi north · Campground listed
+ 9 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near South Lake Tahoe
- Spooner Lake & Backcountry - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 13 mi north · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near South Lake Tahoe
- Van Sickle Bi-State Park 3 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Washoe Meadows State Park 4 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Emerald Bay State Park 7 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- D. L. Bliss State Park 7 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Cave Rock - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 8 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 14 more in the list above
Swimming near South Lake Tahoe
- Emerald Bay State Park 7 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- D. L. Bliss State Park 7 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park 11 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Grover Hot Springs State Park 18 mi southeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Kings Beach State Recreation Area 21 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 3 more in the list above
Hiking near South Lake Tahoe
- Van Sickle Bi-State Park 3 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Washoe Meadows State Park 4 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- Emerald Bay State Park 7 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- D. L. Bliss State Park 7 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park 11 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
+ 14 more in the list above
Fishing near South Lake Tahoe
- Washoe Meadows State Park 4 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Emerald Bay State Park 7 mi west · Fishing listed
- D. L. Bliss State Park 7 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Cave Rock - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 8 mi north · Fishing listed
- Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park 11 mi northwest · Fishing listed
+ 11 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near South Lake Tahoe
What is the closest state park to South Lake Tahoe?
Van Sickle Bi-State Park is the closest, about 3 miles northeast of South Lake Tahoe in a straight line. Next are Washoe Meadows State Park and Lake Valley State Recreation Area.
How many state parks are near South Lake Tahoe?
23 state park units are within 50 miles, and 16 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near South Lake Tahoe have camping?
14 parks list camping, the nearest being Emerald Bay State Park, D. L. Bliss State Park and Mormon Station State Historic Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near South Lake Tahoe?
Yes, at 19 parks, including Van Sickle Bi-State Park, Washoe Meadows State Park and Emerald Bay State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near South Lake Tahoe?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Carson, NV20 mi northeast
- Near Reno, NV43 mi north
- Near Grass Valley, CA61 mi west
- Near Folsom, CA65 mi west
- Near Sacramento, CA84 mi west
- Near Galt, CA85 mi southwest
Or see all California state parks, Nevada state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.