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

Yvonne Leow

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http://www.bewilder.club/experiences/ed-zberg-sugar-pine-point-state-park-lake-tahoe-hellman-ehrman-mansion

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

Prep Itinerary Gear Food

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

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

Reserve your campsite

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Itinerary

Day One

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

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!