1) Tahoe State Recreation Area
One of the most popular places for vacationers in Nevada and SW California is Lake Tahoe. The crystal blue waters surrounded by pine forests with views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains provide a classic camping experience. On the NW shores of the lake is the Tahoe State Recreation Area which hosts a small campground. What makes this one of the absolute best places to camp near Reno is that many of the sites have lake views! Wake up to the crisp mountain air and pour yourself a cup of coffee lakeside while watching the sunrise. Grab your fishing gear for some early morning fishing off the fishing pier to catch some Macks (Mackinaw trout) or Kokanee salmon. Spend the day hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail where you might spot a swooping bald eagle looking for Macks, or test out one of the mountain bike trails. So much to do with a beautiful backdrop of the Mountains.
2) Sparks Marina RV Park
A first class RV Park located just east of downtown is the Sparks Marina RV Park. It has 204 sites for RV’s, a swimming pool and spa, clubhouse, putting green and dog run. Sounds more like a resort to me! The RV’s sites have full hookups with 122 of the sites being pull-through that can accommodate larger RV’s up to 60 feet. The campground is right next door the Sparks Marina Community Park on a 77-acre lake which is freshly filtered water from an underground aquifer. Can you imagine how refreshing a swim would be in a mountain side lake that is filtered daily? There are two swimming beaches or you can try windsurfing or even scuba diving. There is a nice two-mile trail loop around the lake great for hiking, biking or just a morning stroll. All of this just 10 minutes from downtown Reno!
3) Reno KOA Journey at Boomtown
On the other side of town, near the California border, is the Reno KOA Journey at Boomtown. Just 15 min west of the city the Reno KOA is right next door to the Boomtown Casino and Hotel. Try your luck at the casino, enjoy a delicious dinner then head back to your campsite. There are 203 RV sites all with full hookups, cable TV and Free Wi-Fi. Unwind at the swimming pool and spa then head to one of the local parks for backpacking, mountain biking or book a whitewater rafting trip on the Truckee River. If you are into fly fishing the Truckee is great place to catch rainbow and brown trout. Some of the sites in the park overlook the Truckee River (although note there is no access to the river from the campground). Sounds like one of the absolute best places to camp near Reno!
4) Pyramid Lake Marina RV Park
Another noteworthy lake near Reno is Pyramid Lake which Nevada’s largest natural body of water. If you see pictures from other campers that have visited the lake you will see how the lake got it’s name. The shore is scattered with large pyramid shaped rock formations (tufa, made from limestone) which jut out from the lake. The lake is also famous for some of the best trout fishing with two Nevada state records being caught from Pyramid. The largest cutthroat trout was caught by Tim Bayles on 2/27/2005 on Pyramid with a record weight of 24 lbs, 12 ounces. A record goes to Lloyd Lowery dating back to March of 1976 with a 24-pound 10-ounce rainbow/cutthroat hybrid. Point is, bring your fishing gear on your camping trip! The Pyramid Lake Marina RV Park has 44 sites right along the lake with easy access to the boat ramp to get out there for some fishing, kayaking, or paddle boarding. All sites are back-in and have room for an additional vehicle and/or boat trailer. If you plan to spend most of your camping trip on the lake anyways, this is a great option!
5) Washoe Lake State Park Campground
Another one of the absolute best places to camp near Reno is at Washoe Lake. The State Park and Campground are in a private area with campsites spaced nicely for a little more privacy. You can see three different mountain ranges from the park and due to the remoteness of the park, the wildlife viewing is great. Look for hawks, American white pelicans and Canadian geese. The campground has 49 sites for RV or tents with 24 of the sites having hookups. There is a boat ramp to enjoy a day on the lake and a access to the American Discovery Trail. The trail is accessible form the campground and is great for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. There are equestrian facilities near the main entrance and the north ramp. A great way to stay near Reno and get back to nature!
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