Lakeside Campground
Campground · Lake Tahoe corridor
Lakeside Campground sits at 5,741 feet on the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe's Sierra Nevada corridor. A sheltered lakeside site, it runs calmer than the open water to the west and attracts fewer visitors than Highway 50 camps closer to the basin floor.
Wind accelerates off the lake by mid-afternoon, typically gusting to 15 to 20 mph. Mornings hold flat water and clear visibility. Cold air drains downslope at dawn, warming steadily through midday. Spring and early summer snow patches linger in nearby gullies, but the campground itself sits clear most of the year.
Over the last 30 days, Lakeside has averaged 8 mph wind and a NoGo Score of 12.0, with the lowest scores (5.0) falling on calm mornings. Crowding averaged 6.0, well below basin peaks. The week ahead will track the seasonal trend: expect morning lows in the upper 30s Fahrenheit and afternoon winds climbing into the upper teens as sun warms the water.
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About Lakeside Campground
Lakeside Campground occupies a cove on the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe, roughly 30 miles northeast of the Highway 50 corridor that feeds South Lake Tahoe. Access is via Highway 89 from the south or US 395 from Susanville to the north; both routes converge near the campground. The site sits at 5,741 feet elevation, placing it above the lake's thermal buffering but below the crest ridges that collect winter snow. The setting is open lakeshore with scattered Jeffrey pines and granite outcrops. Parking fills steadily on weekends and fills quickly during holiday periods, particularly in late summer when the basin trails report heavy use. Arrive by mid-morning Friday or come mid-week to secure a spot without backtracking.
Spring through early summer brings average temperatures of 41 degrees Fahrenheit over the rolling 30-day window, with night lows dropping into the mid-30s. Wind averages 8 mph but frequently gusts to 20 mph by mid-afternoon, making mornings the decisive window for water activities and calm-weather camping. Crowding scores of 6.0 indicate moderate use, but the campground rarely reaches saturation outside holiday weekends. Snow at nearby higher elevations persists into late spring; the campground itself sits in a rain-snow transition zone and clears faster than ridgeline camps. Summer months (late June onward) warm the lake to mid-50s Fahrenheit, attracting swimmers and kayakers, while fall sees afternoon winds increase and crowding drop sharply after Labor Day.
Lakeside Campground suits campers seeking lakeside access without the crowds of Highway 50 resort camps or the technical complexity of backcountry sites. The shoreline supports swimming, paddling, and fishing. Wind-sensitive activities (kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing) are best tackled before 10 AM; skip the afternoon unless you're planning to ride wind-driven waves. The site works for families with children, anglers, and small groups. A single vehicle per site is typical, but overflow parking fills quickly on summer weekends. Bring layers; evening temperatures drop 15 to 20 degrees below afternoon highs year-round. Water is potable at the campground; bear-proof food storage is required.
Nearby Highway 89 camps to the south (such as those near Emerald Bay and the Cascade Lake drainage) sit lower and attract heavier crowds but offer alpine lake views and shorter hiking access. The open basin east of US 395 near Susanville offers drier, warmer camping with less wind, but lacks the lake setting. For comparison, campgrounds on Highway 50 closer to South Lake Tahoe see 2 to 3 times higher crowding during summer and holiday periods, with afternoon winds of similar strength but less sheltering from surrounding terrain. Lakeside's position on the eastern shore gives it a wind-shadow advantage on westerly flow days, a trait that makes it more reliable for planning weekend trips than exposed western-shore sites.