Nestled in the picturesque town of Kirkwood, CA, Caples Lake Campground offers a tranquil escape for outdoor enthusiasts. Located just off the highway, this campground provides a peaceful retreat with easy access to Caples Lake, Kirkwood Ski Resort, and the vibrant South Lake Tahoe area, only a 45-minute drive away.
Caples Lake Campground features recently renovated campsites that are level and well-maintained, catering to both tent campers and trailer users. The campground is within walking distance of Caples Lake, where visitors can enjoy boat rentals and a bait shop for a day of fishing or boating. While the campground does not offer running water, it provides rustic toilet facilities, ensuring a true camping experience.
The friendly camp hosts, Martha and Dave, are always ready to assist, and firewood is available for purchase to keep your campfire cozy. Whether you're planning a family reunion, a trip with friends, or a solo adventure, Caples Lake Campground is the ideal spot for creating lasting memories.
Customers rave about their experiences at Caples Lake Campground. Many visitors return year after year, praising the serene environment, the convenience of nearby attractions, and the welcoming hosts. One reviewer shared, "We come up from Southern California the same week every year to meet friends and family. The campsites are quiet, and the hosts, Martha and Dave, are amazing. We’ll be back next year!" Another highlighted the campground's proximity to beautiful lakes and the recent renovations, calling it an excellent choice for outdoor lovers.
Plan your next camping adventure at Caples Lake Campground and enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities that Kirkwood, CA, has to offer.
Onsite services
Hiking
Picnic tables
Public restroom
Restroom
Tent sites
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
On-site parking
Dogs allowed
We come up from southern California the same week every year. We meet up with a group of good friends and family for a week of camping. Campground is right on the highway, but the campsites in the back are very quiet. Camp hosts, Martha & Dave are great! Firewood is available for purchase. Campsites were leveled and improved a few years ago. Campsites are easy walking distance to Caples Lake. Lake has boat rental and bait shop. Just a few miles to Kirkwood Ski Resort and their general store. 45 minute drive to South Lake Tahoe. No running water while we were there, but we knew ahead of time and brought our own. Toilets are rustic (kinda like a nice outhouse) and need some paint, but, hey, we're camping, right? Some sites can handle trailers, but we stay in tents. It trained a few days this year, but it was light and there's no mud. We'll be back next year.
Excellent sites recently renovated. Great proximity to several beautiful lakes. No potable water.
The most beautiful lake on the 88 corridor. Unpredictable weather is another charm of this high Sierra lake. Some of the best hiking is on the east end of the lake. From this vantage point it is common to still view snow in certain areas of the mountain even in July.
Newly remodeled campgrounds, very clean! Highly recommended! We chose spot #6 a bit of walk to top of campsite, but worth it!!! Posted pic of our view from campsite. Open, clean and very private! Only thing with this spot, have an Ez up! Shade over picnic table in the morning, but afternoons hot in summer!!! Bonus lake is walking distance just across the street! Great place for the kiddos to run around and adventure too!
Camped here with my 4 grandkids in early August. Pros: large, clean sites, easy walk to the lake, fire pits, picnic tables, clean restrooms and water available. Cons: never saw the hosts, we stayed 3 nights. 2nd. night the campers across from us had an all night party, kept us awake until after 3am. The garbage situation needs work, there are no bear boxes. There are dumpsters, but they are locked, only a metal can with an easily removable lid is available. Of course a bear got into the can in the middle of the night and then took a walk around our site, sniffing at the bottom of our tents and looking inside the car. A bit frightening for the kids....and me too! I think that you are supposed to empty your garbage into the can before a certain time so the camp employees can empty it into the dumpster, but there is no communication with campers. Would love to go back, but the garbage situation needs to be changed.