We received a complimentary stay from Basecamp Tahoe South in exchange for an honest review and posts on social media. All opinions remain my own.
Lake Tahoe has always been on my list of places to visit and when when my pal Jessica invited us along for a media trip with the Lake Tahoe Visitors’ Bureau, I jumped on the opportunity.
We traveled in late April, which meant the snow was minimal, as were the crowds. It seemed like the perfect time to visit, before the weather turned too hot and tourists came for the summer fun.
Our visit was far too short, but we packed a lot into our trip, including a lovely stay at Basecamp Tahoe South, located just over the state line with Nevada.
In this blog post, I share the details of our stay at Basecamp Tahoe South as well as nearby activities to do during your visit.
Basecamp Tahoe South
Basecamp Hotels take “under-appreciated buildings” in outdoor-driven locations and spiffy them up into affordable places to stay and recover after playing hard all day long.
The location is ideal for a stay in South Lake Tahoe any time of year. It’s a 5-minute walk to the lake for paddle boarding, or, if you head the other direction, you’ll hit the Heavenly Gondola.
Restaurants and shopping are aplenty, or, if you prefer, the hotel is set up to cater to all of your needs.
The onsite beer garden hosts South of North Brewing Co. and serves great food and beer in a cozy outdoor space equipped with corn hole, Adirondack chairs, fire pits, and live music nightly.
The hotel is set up to foster conversation and share stories from your daily adventures. I’ll also add how easy it was to communicate with the front desk via text message. They were super helpful when I asked about a spot to trail run.
The Rooms
Basecamp Tahoe South is the original Basecamp Hotel and features 73 rooms, designed for both adventure and relaxation. Rooms vary from Kings and Queens, family rooms, suites, and even the “Great Indoors,” which takes glamping inside.
Keep in mind that not all of the rooms are pet-friendly.
Our room featured a King bed, mini fridge, microwave, coffee and electric kettle. There were also plenty of hangers to stow coats and gear, as well as a few benches for the same.
Our room was clean and comfortable with art designed by local artists and a fun wall panel featuring a hand-drawn map of Lake Tahoe.
Amenities
Additional Basecamp South Tahoe amenities include:
- 16-person hot tub
- Fire pits to roast marshmallows for s’mores
- Seasonal communal dinners
- Secure storage for skis and snowboards
- Lobby bar exclusive to only guests that serves wine and local brews, including a daily “Happy Camper Hour” with specials on craft beers
- Continental breakfast
- Various decks for enjoying views and sipping brews
Pet Policy
Pets must be on leash while on hotel property and must use the designated pet relief area. Guests can only book pet-friendly rooms over the phone. There is a $40+ tax cleaning fee for pets.
They are allowed throughout the property, including the beer garden, fire pits, and in the lobby (including on the couch!).
Trailfolk Coffee at Basecamp Tahoe South
Our stay coincided with COVID, so I’m not sure what the typical set up is for breakfast. We opted to enjoy a meal from the onsite cafe, Trailfolk Coffee.
The cafe is tucked into the back of the lobby and is practically overflowing with colorful fruits and vegetables covering every surface. These are for the fresh pressed juices. I couldn’t resist the daily special juice–strawberry-ginger-jicama-mint.
I also ordered an oat milk latte, which was top notch and the Avocado Toast, which I veganized. It was delicious, but without the egg, left me feeling unsatiated, as there was no real vegan substitute. There were a couple other menu items that could be veganized upon request.
Dog-Friendly Hikes do near Basecamp Tahoe South
There are trails galore around South Lake Tahoe. Not all of them are dog-friendly, so check beforehand. I got to check out a couple spots for trail running during our visit.
Van Sickle State Park is located just a short drive or run across the street from Basecamp Tahoe South. One of the most accessible parks in the Tahoe Basin, Van Sickle features easy to moderate trails and connects to the Tahoe Rim Trail above the ski resort.
I had a longer run scheduled while we were in the area and I love nothing more than exploring the trails when I’m traveling.
The local bike shop suggested that I hit Tahoe Mountain for my trail run to avoid snow. The trail meanders behind some homes to start and then makes its way to the top of Tahoe Mountain. There’s not a great view from the top, but I couldn’t stop gawking on the way down.
The Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165-mile trail that circumnavigates the lake, with options for day hikes and multi-day backpacking trips to alpine lakes, beautiful views, and through wildflower meadows. National Geographic Adventure magazine ranked the trail as one of the top 10 in the nation.
For more dog-friendly activities around Lake Tahoe check out my dog-friendly guide!
For More Information
To learn more and to book a reservation, visit the Basecamp Tahoe South website.
Related Reading:
- Dog-Friendly Things to Do on the Central Oregon Coast
- A Complete Itinerary to Dog-Friendly Wineries in the Willamette Valley
- 9 Awesome Things to Do with Your Dog in Bend, Oregon
- 99 Awesome Things to Do with Your Dog in Portland, Oregon
