First time Tahoe visitors

Heading up Sunday but possibly Monday depending on the severity of a post wedding hangover (not my wedding). With the holiday weekend what are some places we can expect to find camping? We'll be staying for at least a few days. There are four of us and two small-ish cars. Bathrooms would be nice but are not mandatory given the potential crowding issue.

Thanks in advance!

What side of the lake? Are you going to climb? lots of free dispersed camping up 50 and some spots on 80. You really need a bathroom? My guess is that campgrounds will be full.

I'd say avoid 80 at all costs with the holiday and burning man.

I'd like to start on the south side; we're driving up the 395 from San Diego. We are climbing. Hoping to climb some lake side stuff on down days and get on a few things at the leap. Maybe head to the north side mid week after traffic dies down if we feel like it. Bathrooms aren't necessary but if there are developed campgrounds worth checking out we'd most likely try that first. Recommendations for dispersed camping close to climbing would be awesome even if it is near some neat smaller crags.

Well, then go to The Leap. Done.

You could probably grab sites there easily enough on a Sunday or Monday. $10 per site, garbage/recycling, and pit bathrooms that could choke a shit wagon buzzard. Dispersed camping sites of high quality can be found on the Phantom Spires approach road (info on this site).

Woodfords Canyon hosts some fine climbs (check out The Tiers area and One of these Days Buttress) and has camping right off the road, either pay or dispersed.

As far as other climbing venues that are actually off of Lake Tahoe like Emerald Bay (90 Foot Wall, Eagle Lake, Mayhem Cove) you're going to find impacted camping (i.e. Camp Richardson), but maybe it's thinning out this time of year.

Donner Pass has a host of climbing, and there are many satellite crags, many of which though are not much of a visiting climber destination.

To consider, The Emeralds, though further afield of Tahoe hosts great dispersed camping opportunities and a lot of granite sport climbing (check out The Steps area).

To tag along to the Emeralds comment, North of Emralds is an area called Bowman Valley. Tons of dispersed camping for free. Also granite sport climbing and I can't imagine it gets crowded. The temps will be cooler up there compared to emeralds.

if the leap campground is full go up the strawberry tract road, which is a little west of town, and drive about 10-15 minutes out towards the Secrets bouldering area for dispersed camping. Some good spots with views of Pyramid Peak. Go get a dirty chai from Squirrel at the Strawberry store.

bowman is a great area with lots of camping options if you end up on 80 west of the lake.

there are also camping spots on Highway 88 in Hope Valley, but they are not near any crags.