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
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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
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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
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

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Pocket-sized UNO GO!

A classic, easy to learn game for the entire family

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Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50

It's pricey, but Supergoop! makes putting on sunscreen feel smooth and easy.

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$19

NATPAT BuzzPatch Mosquito Patches

A cute and colorful patch that repels mosquitoes with a natural repellent.

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Vlirka VNDS Shoe Holster

A neat way to pack, carry, and organize dirty shoes.

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$32

High Tail Hikes Brass Leash

A lightweight, easy to clean customizable leash that comes in a rainbow of colors.

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$49.95

Ruffwear Basecamp™ Dog Bed

A packable, easy to clean dog bed for the great outdoors.

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$17.99

Mighty Paw LED Dog Collar

A weather-resistant LED collar so your pup stays safe at night.

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PupFlask Large Dog Water Bottle

A leakproof water bottle to quench your pup's thirst.

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$17.40

DOGSWELL Remedy + Recovery Bundle

Add this pup medication and liquid bandage bundle to your first aid kit.

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$139

Radius Outfitters Large Camp Kitchen Organizer

For avid campers, this organizer will keep your kitchen utensils clean and organized.

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MyCarry Travel Potty

Bring a portable toilet to help your toddler stick to their indoor routine.

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Meal & snack ideas

It turns out everything tastes better when we're outside

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Dinner

Ham and cheese campfire sandwiches

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Moroccan apple beef stew

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Apple sweet potato hash

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Banana coconut french toast

Vegan

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Chicken soba noodle salad

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Apple maple sausage sandwiches

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Chicken pad thai

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Frittata

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Baked sweet potatoes and chili

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Huevos rancheros verdes

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Banana boats

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Scrambled eggs n' bacon

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