Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

A comfy campout with 2 to 5 mile hikes
Driving to and sleeping at a campground
Ideal for first-timers
Perfect for families with young kiddos

Leaping into Lake Tahoe at Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

Leaping into Lake Tahoe at Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

Leaping into Lake Tahoe at Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

Leaping into Lake Tahoe at Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park

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Last updated
March 8, 2022

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For · Friends and new campers

Vibe · Relaxing and chill

Reservations · Yes, reserve a site at General Creek Campground

Drive · 2.5 hours from SF and LA

Ideal dates · June to September

Pets · Welcome at camp, but not on beaches and trails

Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park (EZSPP) is the largest state park at Lake Tahoe! It features 2,000 acres of forest and almost two miles of lakeshore. The Sierra State Parks Foundation also offers tours of the park's 11,000 square-foot centerpiece: the historic Ehrman Mansion, aka Pine Lodge. Camp, swim and visit a slice of history at Sugar Pine Point SP.

Official State Park Website

Directions To Campground

Main image credit: Vrbo

Stuff to know

  • Bears are known to roam around the park. Properly secure your food in your campsite's storage box whenever you leave camp and overnight. Due to feisty bears, coolers can't be stored in cars and must fit in food storage lockers at your campsite. Food locker dimensions are 36" deep, 43" wide, and 22" high. Learn more about bear safety.
  • Hellman-Ehrman Mansion tours take place from Tuesday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM
  • Adult tickets are $12, children tickets are $10, and you can buy them at the Visitor Center
  • Sugar Pine Point SP's day use fee is $10 a car

Resources

Check the weather
Hellman-Ehrman Mansion

Where to camp

General Creek Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

  • Picnic table
  • Fire pit and grill
  • Space for up to 8 people
  • Food storage locker
  • Two parking spots

General Creek campground has 175 sites designed for tent, trailer, and RV campers. It's tucked away underneath beautiful pine trees so there's plenty of shade to go around, and you're only less than a mile walk from the glistening shores of Lake Tahoe. There are restrooms, coin-operated showers, and a paved bike path throughout the campground. You're also a 15-minute drive from grocery stores, restaurants, and more lakeshore beaches in Tahoe City.

Check-in: After 2 PM · Check-out: 12 PM

View Campground Map

Nightly Rate: $35

General Creek Campground
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Itinerary

Day One

Lake Tahoe on the shores of Sugar Pine Point State Park
Lake Tahoe on the shores of Sugar Pine Point State Park

Leave SF by 11 AM and grab a sammie at Full Belly Deli

  • Diners LOVE their sandwiches and wraps, especially the Dirka Dirka
  • Located at 10825 Pioneer Trail Road, Suite 103 in Truckee
  • Open Mondays to Fridays from 7 AM to 3 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 3 PM
  • Last pit stop · Chevron - 310 W River Road in Tahoe City

Check in at General Creek Campground

  • Set up camp, wander around the campground and relax

Swim in Lake Tahoe!

  • From camp, walk 0.5 miles along Rod Beaudry Trail to reach Sugar Pine Point State Park beach
  • Change into your bathing suit and leap into the lake!

Take an evening stroll along the Dolder Nature Trail

  • This easy 2.1 mile loop takes you through Edwin L. Z’Berg Natural Preserve. You'll find beautiful lake views, a sandy beach, and a chance to visit the highest lighthouse (in elevation) in the world!

Return to camp for din-din

  • Prep and enjoy dinner back at camp
  • Stargaze and swap some of your favorite campfire stories
Ed Z'Berg was a state assembly member who served from 1958 to 1974 and led legislation to protect Lake Tahoe's natural environment.

Day Two

Sugar Pine Point State Park
Sugar Pine Point State Park

Pack a picnic and walk or bike along Sugar Pine Point State Park's Nature Trails

  • This 5 mile loop is a lovely, shady stroll through meadows and cedar trees
  • Pack a daypack with lunch, sunscreen, sunhat, bug spray, and water
  • Find a pretty spot along the way to picnic for lunch

Return to camp and unwind

  • Clean up and play some board games

Join an afternoon tour of Hellman-Ehrman Mansion

  • This rustic, palatial house was built by San Francisco financier I.W. Hellman for his beloved family to enjoy Tahoe's waters. Now you can experience it too!

Prep a sunset dinner

  • Cook up your last dinner at Sugar Pine Point and bring your camp chair to enjoy a sunset dinner by the lake
For centuries, the Wa she shu tribe came to Da ow a ga (edge of the lake) to spend their summers hunting and fishing

Day Three

Lake Tahoe on the shores of Sugar Pine Point State Park

Pack up and check out before noon

  • Cook up brekkie, clean up around camp, and throw away any random pieces of litter

Head home!

Florence and Sidney Ehrman sold their mansion and estate to the state in 1965, and Sugar Pine Point SP was named after Ed Z'berg in 2004
October 14, 2023

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Shop curated gear

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Bezzi's Pick
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NEMO Disco 15 Women's Sleeping Bag

A spacious sleeping bag that will help you stay warm for spring, summer, and fall camping.

Bezzi's Pick
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Sea to Summit X-Series Collapsible Silicone Cup

Whether it's coffee or cocoa, bring a silicone mug like this one into the wild. Your tummy will thank you.

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Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack

Leave your backpacking pack at camp, and use this sleek, compressible pack for day hikes.

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Eddie Bauer Stowaway 20L Daypack

An affordable day pack for bringing snacks, sunglasses, and water on your next day hike.

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Feathered Friends Egret UL 20/30 Women's Sleeping Bag

Handmade in Seattle, Washington, this sleeping bag is pricey, but you can count on it lasting for years.

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Stoic Madrone 2 Person, 3 Season Tent

A fun, affordable tent for beginner car campers that can be used in the spring, summer, and fall.

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Kula Pee Cloth

An absorbent, antimicrobial fabric that will keep you clean and dry down under.

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GCI Outdoor Master Portable Camp Kitchen

This cook station has plenty of storage and counter space, and is easy to set up and carry out.

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NEMO Quasar 3D Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

If you like to toss and turn at night, this sleeping pad is known for being a quiet, quality option for car campers.

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Marmot Catalyst 2-Person Tent with Footprint

A solid, lightweight, and relatively affordable tent for people are new to backpacking.

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Soto Helix Coffee Maker

Don't let the backcountry stop you from enjoying a hot, quality drip coffee in the morning.

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Coleman WeatherMaster 6-Person Tent with Screen Room

This spacious tent is known for its enmeshed screen room, which will keep you dry and bug-free during the summer.

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Meal and snack ideas

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Food For The Sole Blueberry Banana Crunch

Gluten Free • Vegan

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Packit Gourmet Diner Deluxe Eggs with Sausage

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Dessert

Campfire cinnamon roll ups

Vegetarian

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Snack

Brookside Dark Chocolate Covered Blueberries

Vegetarian

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Angie's Boom Chicka Pop

Gluten Free · Vegan

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Santa Cruz Organic Apple Sauce

Gluten Free · Vegan

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Lunch

Summer rolls with almond butter satay

Gluten Free · Vegan

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Dan dan noodles

Gluten Free · Vegan

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Asian chicken lettuce wraps

Gluten free

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Pho ramen

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Curry ramen

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Peanut butter cheesecake overnight oats

Vegetarian

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