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
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.
Main image credit: Vrbo
Each campsite comes with a:
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
Nightly Rate: $35
Ed Z'Berg was a state assembly member who served from 1958 to 1974 and led legislation to protect Lake Tahoe's natural environment.
For centuries, the Wa she shu tribe came to Da ow a ga (edge of the lake) to spend their summers hunting and fishing
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
This was GCI's first rocker and it remains their most popular. It's easy to open and close, and comes with a handle to carry around.
Shared Gear
A dreamy, colorful sweater to sport around camp and on chillier day hikes.
Clothes
Light as a feather and versatile enough to use for running, camping, and other nighttime activities.
Essential Items
Imagine a sleeping pad, bag, and blanket all in one. It takes some getting used to, but people love it.
Essential Items
It's not the lightest cot available, but it's comfortable, easy to set up, and break down.
Essential Items
Sturdy, reliable, well-designed, and more expensive than most camp chairs, but it'll last for awhile.
Shared Gear
They're expensive, but you can lean on these bad boys for river crossings and navigating all kinds of terrain.
Essential Items
This mineral-based sunscreen is good for the envrionment and your skin. It's water resistant too.
Personal Stuff
When a campground is short of sinks, bring your own. Clean your dirty dishes in this expandable bin.
Kitchen
This backpacking stove weighs a couple of ounces and has a built-in igniter. It stands out in windy weather.
Kitchen
Camp underneath the stars and watch glorious sunrises in Joshua Tree National Park, the second largest national park in California.
