Camp hosts maintain William Kent Campground with exceptional attention to detail, cleaning restrooms multiple times daily and raking sites between visitors. The 95-site campground sits within a residential area along Lake Tahoe's west shore, with some sites backing directly to private homes separated only by basic fencing.
Eric S. found it "the cleanest campground we've ever stayed in," noting freshly cleaned fire pits and welcoming hosts who provide local area insights. The proximity to neighborhoods means campers share space with residential backyards, though several reviewers report quiet nights despite the urban setting. Sites accommodate RVs up to 57 feet, though leveling can prove challenging on uneven pads.
The campground provides direct walking access to a small Lake Tahoe beach, plus easy reach of Sunnyside restaurant and bar for lakeside dining. Biking or walking paths connect to Tahoe City within a few miles, while Kaspian Campground offers a more traditional forest setting nearby. Heavy pollen during summer months affects some visitors, and construction projects occasionally disrupt operations.
Reservations open for the May through November season, with sites filling quickly due to the prime Tahoe location. "Plus our pad was really not very flat so leveling the trailer was tough," notes Stacie L., recommending site selection toward the back of the campground for more space from neighboring cabins. The campground serves as a convenient base for Tahoe activities while providing full hookups and amenities within walking distance of restaurants and lake access.
For campers preferring more separation from residential areas, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Meeks Bay Campground provides a less developed alternative along the same shoreline.
Description
Overview
William Kent Campground is conveniently located on Lake Tahoe's west shore, a few miles south of Tahoe City. It straddles the highway and features not only a large area in which to camp, but also a day-use area that is popular among visitors.
Recreation
Just minutes away from the campground, 22-mile-long Lake Tahoe provides sunbathing, swimming, boating and water skiing. Anglers can look forward to healthy fish populations of kokanee salmon and mackinaw, rainbow and brown trout. The campground is also ideal for people planning a full day of bike riding around Lake Tahoe. Bike trails that traverse the western shores of Lake Tahoe begin near the campground.
Facilities
The campground offers dozens of campsites, available for tent and RV camping. Each is equipped with tables, campfire rings and grills. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided. Each yurt provides a cabin-like space for a family of five or six people. The yurts sit on a wooden platform 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.
Natural Features
William Kent Campground is situated in a residential area, alongside a busy highway. The campground has more than 80 sites, each surrounded by tall pine, cedar and fir trees. Many of the sites are secluded with evergreen shrubs and the terrain, with its shallow gullies and low ridges, helps to keep each site separate from neighboring sites.
Contact Info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (530) 541-1537 for general information.
Nearby Attractions
A day-use area is located across the street from the campground for lake access and other water activities. Tahoe City is less than 5 miles away.
Charges & Cancellations
Rules & Reservation Policies 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. 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. Booking Window 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. Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees 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. Camping / 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. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. 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. Permits: Varies by location. Please check the permit details for the permit location. Late Cancellations 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. 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. 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. Group Facility: 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. 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. No-Shows Camping / 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. 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. 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. Refunds 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. Reservation Fee: 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. Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. 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. 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. Recreation.gov Billing Information Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777." Changes to Policies and Procedures Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
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 vehicles will be charged a per night fee that is collected at the campground.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundWilliam Kent Campground is located in California
Directions
William Kent Campground is 2 miles south of Tahoe City on California Highway 89.
Address
PO BOX 9047
South lake tahoe, CA 96158
Coordinates
39.139629 N
120.155411 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 56 usersLast on 4/2/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 10 usersLast on 4/2/26
- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 14 usersLast on 4/2/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 56 usersLast on 4/2/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 10 usersLast on 4/2/26
- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 14 usersLast on 4/2/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 47 min from Reno, NV
- 1 hr 16 min from Carson City, NV
- 1 hr 48 min from Sacramento, CA
- 1 hr 55 min from Yuba City, CA

























