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

Designed by
Yvonne Leow
Share this itinerary
Last updated
August 3, 2024

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
No items found.

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
June 1, 2024

Bewilder at LAist Super-Fun Saturday

Make wildflower seed bombs with Bezzi the Yeti at LAist's Super Fun Saturday

Event in 2 days

Bewilder Basecamp: Spooky Wonders

Join Bezzi the Yeti on her first spooky camping adventure!

Shop curated gear

Everything your family needs for a fun and easy campout

Search icon
Price Range
Reset
Scroll
Price Range
Bezzi's Pick
$399.99

Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System Camp Stove

A fancy stove for campers who want compact, portability, and performance all in one.

Bezzi's Pick
$129.95

Kelty Low Loveseat

This spacious loveseat is designed for cuddling with loved and furry ones at camp.

Bezzi's Pick
$159.95

NEMO Moonlander Camp Table

We can confirm that these camp tables withstand hot bevvies and rock collections.

Bezzi's Pick
$299.99

Kid-O-Bunk Camp Bed

A fun camping cot for siblings to share and sleep in overnight.

Bezzi's Pick
$29.99

Thermacell Mosquito Repeller

Bugs be gone with this rechargeable and refillable mosquito repeller.

Bezzi's Pick
$40.99

Pacific Play Galaxy Dome Tent

This small play tent will keep your kids busy and your main sleeping tent clean.

Bezzi's Pick
$19.95

Sea to Summit Passage Insulated Mug

A colorful mug with a lid to keep your bevvies warm and cool at camp.

Bezzi's Pick
$399

RovR RollR® 60 Wheeled Cooler

Coolers are made for chilling and rolling in and out of camp. This one is top-notch.

Bezzi's Pick
$89.99

Mac Sports Collapsible Wagon

Lighten the load from car to camp with this highly-rated collapsible wagon.

Bezzi's Pick
$55

Stanley Fast Flow Water Jug

Keep water cold and your family hydrated with this sleek, non-leak water jug.

Bezzi's Pick
$149.95

NEMO Victory Picnic Blanket

It's pricey, but this picnic/camp/play blanket is easy to clean and lasts.

Bezzi's Pick
$149.95

Sea to Summit Detour Essentials Kitchen Kit

A nesting set of collapsible cookware that saves space in your camp kitchen.

Eep! We don't have any results right now.
Send us your favorite gear reccs!

Meal & snack ideas

It turns out everything tastes better when we're outside

Search icon
Dietary Preferences
meal Type
Bezzi's Picks
Reset
Dietary Preferences
Meal Type
Bezzi's Faves
Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Ham and cheese campfire sandwiches

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Moroccan apple beef stew

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Apple sweet potato hash

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Banana coconut french toast

Vegan

Bezzi's Pick
Lunch

Chicken soba noodle salad

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Apple maple sausage sandwiches

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Chicken pad thai

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Frittata

Gluten Free · Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Baked sweet potatoes and chili

Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Huevos rancheros verdes

Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Dessert

Banana boats

Gluten Free · Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Breakfast

Scrambled eggs n' bacon

Gluten Free

Have feedback on this itinerary? Send us an email!
Spread the love
Explore our most popular trips
Explore our most popular trips
Explore our most popular trips
Explore our most popular trips
Self-Guided Trip

Immersing yourself in the idyllic wilderness of Idyllwild at Mount San Jacinto

Enjoy the small town charm and enchanting wilderness in Idyllwild for this beginner camping trip.

Self-Guided Trip

Catching desert sunrises and shooting stars at Joshua Tree National Park

Camp underneath the stars and watch glorious sunrises in Joshua Tree National Park, the second largest national park in California.

Self-Guided Trip

Beachside backpacking and sea lion sightings at Santa Rosa Island

This winter trek on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park is a one of a kind itinerary for adventerous backpackers.

Looking for more?

View all itineraries