Safari tents near Kirkwood

A small resort town surrounded by mountains, lakes, and forests offers some of Tahoe’s best snow.

98% (638 reviews)

United States
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California
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Kirkwood

98% (638 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Kirkwood

Top safari tents sites near kirkwood

98%

(968)

Camp Nauvoo

24 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents86 acres · Placerville, CA

Camp Nauvoo was originally bought by the LDS church in the 1960's for a girl's camp. The camp was owned by the Boy Scouts from 2011-2015. The Rose family bought the property in 2016 with the intent to continue the tradition of tent camping as well as creating opportunities for exclusive events i.e., group/family reunions, weddings and corporate events. We are a small privately owned small campground (20 sites only) located on the outskirts of Placerville. The property features 86.5 secluded Tahoe like acres with beautiful year-round Weber Creek. The camp sites are placed along the creek or the bluff overlooking the creek. We have traditional dirt camping, canvas tents on platforms, teepees and glamping tents for those that want the comforts of home. We are tent camping only with only one site that allows a small travel trailer or van. (#14) . We are dog friendly and allow dogs in all but 5 glamping sites. We do enforce camp rules especially our quiet time between 10 PM and 7 AM (please review). We’ve been told that we have a “family camp” vibe. We are a great place for families wanting a safe environment for their kids but also several group sites for those that want to hang out together with multiple families. We are also a great base site for those wilderness enthusiasts with access to all the El Dorado National Forest including Desolation but want a hot shower at the end of the day. We have a lodge that is stocked with games and a ping pong table. The lodge has a microwave, Keurig machine and a hot water kettle for those hot drinks (BYO Cups).We have several tables set up for those that want to eat inside as well as multiple picnic tables along the side of the lodge with overhead protection. We have electricity at the at the lodge for small appliances and charging phones. We have a compressor on site to blow up your air mattresses or float toys. We’ve been told that our bathrooms are the “cleanest” ever and have changing tables and diaper pails. We offer nice flushing toilets and hot showers! We have many extra amenities including a compressor to use for your air mattresses, For outdoor activities we have basketball, volleyball, pickleball and cornhole not to mention the playground with swing sets, seesaw and tractor play. We have hiking trails throughout the property. Our highlight is a camp fire bowl with bench seating with a stage to display camper talent which is perfect for the evening fire and roasting s’mores (bring the fixings). The creek starts out in spring looking like a rushing river featuring many fishing and swimming holes. As the summer progresses the water level falls but is still great for water play and fishing. We have propane BBQs (we provide the propane for BBQs) located throughout the property. We also have a propane grill and charcoal BBQ located in the common area for all to use. There is a dutch oven pit also in the fire bowl area. We do not allow wood fires at the individual sites but each site has a propane firepit for ambiance (not cooking) that requires you to purchase a 20 lb. propane cannister on site (add in extras) or pay cash on site. No internet service. There is limited internet only available for purchases at the setore. We require a 3 night minimum for the major holidays - Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. We do not do checkins on Sunday but do allow camping over Sunday night. We do exclusive events so you may need to explore multiple weekends to find the right reservation. We are located in the foothills so we are a short hop to many local attractions that include river rafting, gold mines, wineries and historical towns with great eating establishments. Tahoe is less than an hour away and there a many hiking trails within 20-30 minutes. We have a limited number of items to rent i.e, tents, cots, camp stoves, etc. We rent a battery pack for those that use a cpap. We also have a small store on site for those items you forgot and a good selection of ice cream and ice. We take venmo or cash. CHECKIN IS BETWEEN 4 AND 8. IF YOU ARE COMING FROM THE BAY ALLOW 4 HOURS - YOU MUST LEAVE BY 3:00 IN ORDER TO ARRIVE DURING CHECKIN. IF YOU GET DELAYED, FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE OTHER CAMPERS YOU MAY CONSIDER WAITING AND ARRIVING THE NEXT MORNING. THERE ARE NO CHECKINS AFTER 9:00.

Safari tents near Kirkwood guide

Overview

South of Lake Tahoe, the small resort town of Kirkwood is centered around the Kirkwood Ski Resort. Its location along the Sierra Crest ensures some of the deepest and driest snow in the region, while the resort’s more than 2,000 acres of extreme terrain make it a local favorite. In the summer, the resort offers lift-assisted mountain biking, hiking, and disc golf. Surrounded by alpine lakes and national forests, boating, paddling, fishing, rock climbing, and horseback riding are also popular activities. Plenty of scenic campgrounds can be found just a short distance away, particularly for those who enjoy camping near a lake or in the forest.

Where to go

Kirkwood and Carson Pass Area

Several camping options can be found just outside of Kirkwood, including developed forest service campgrounds at Caples Lake, Kirkwood Lake, Silver Lake, and Woods Lake, and PG&E campgrounds at Blue Lakes. Further east, the Hope Valley, Kit Carson, and Crystal Springs campgrounds are situated along the west fork of the Carson River. For hot springs and camping, head to Grover Hot Springs State Park, near Markleeville. Additional campsites can be found at the BLM-run Indian Creek Reservoir and Turtle Rock County Park.

National Forests

Kirkwood is surrounded by the Eldorado National Forest, which offers nearly 600,000 acres of forest, lakes, and fishable rivers and streams, in addition to more than 50 developed campgrounds and plenty of dispersed camping options. Two wilderness areas, Mokelumne just south of Kirkwood and Desolation to the north, in particular offer excellent backcountry camping options. Additional camping options can be found in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest to the east of Kirkwood, and the Stanislaus National Forest, further south.

Lake Tahoe

Kirkwood is just 35 miles south of scenic Lake Tahoe, with its 72 miles of shoreline. Dozens of beaches, parks, and great camping options surround the lake. For easy access to the lake and amenities, head to Campground by the Lake and historic Camp Richardson near South Lake Tahoe, or Nevada Beach and Zephyr Cove on the Nevada side of the lake. Or spend the night overlooking Emerald Bay at Eagle Point, or by the beach at D.L. Bliss State Park. Fallen Leaf Lake also offers a campground and yurts. Additional options can be found on the west and north shore of the lake.

When to go

Winter is the most popular time at Kirkwood, with most visitors drawn by the abundant snowfall and quality terrain. Camping options are very limited over the winter, and storms can shut down roads and passes. Summer is another popular time to visit for mountain biking. The Markleeville Death Ride is held every July. Visit in the spring for wildflowers and fall for golden aspens, particularly around Hope Valley and the Monitor Pass area.

Know before you go

Kirkwood is situated at 7,800 feet. Other recreation areas and campsites in the region are at higher elevations. Be aware of potential altitude issues.
There is no public transportation to Kirkwood. You’ll want a vehicle to explore the area. In winter, an AWD/4WD drive vehicle and chains are a must.
Campfire permits are required outside of developed campgrounds. Fire restrictions may limit or prohibit fires entirely.
Be bear aware, especially when camping. Store food and other attractants in a bear-proof container away from your tent.
Fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 or over in California and 18 and over in Nevada.