Lake Alpine Lodge — Hotel in South Lake Tahoe

I was looking for a remote Campground and I came across Lake Alpine. There were several campgrounds in the area. It was going to be chilly at night and I when I found Lake Alpine Lodge had cabins and platform tents I was fortunate to find a cabin available mid-week. I booked Sequoia; a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom cabin near the restaurant, for an arrival date of Labor Day. I booked 4 nights, believing it wouldn't be crowded, and the risk of Covid in the Bear Valley area is pretty slim. I was told everyone in our party would have their temperature taken before check-in and they had yet to have a guest be sent home. ||||We arrived at 8:30 pm Monday night and we learned the Forest Service had closed the facility due to a fire in the Sierras. Also PGE was turning off the power at 11:00 pm until Wednesday due to a high wind warning. All the campgrounds had been evacuated. They had tried to reach us on our home phone, but we'd already left, and we had no cell service. ||||They allowed us to stay the night in the Cabin. They provided their wi-fi password so that we could try to find somewhere else to go the next few nights. They provided us a full immediate refund for our stay. They gave us some ribs and shrimp, free of charge, stating the food was going to go bad, as they would have no customers for several days. They were very apologetic and gracious. ||||The cabin itself is very rustic. While Sequoia can sleep at least six people, it is very noisy as it has an open beam ceiling. If someone gets up in the middle of the night, the flushing of the toilet echos in the cabin. The beds are somewhat soft, but comfortable. The pillows---pretty flat, so bring your own. ||||There is a full kitchen with limited dishware. There is a deck with patio furniture that has been pieced together. It has a lovely view of the trees, and a peek-a-boo view of Lake Alpine. The lake is across the street and Sequoia is one of the closest cabins to the Lake. ||||The lake has kayaks for rent, and fishing boats. There is a small store where one can buy fishing bait, but no license, so make sure you get your license at home. Unfortunately the Lake was shut down so we didn't get to enjoy the amenities we had expected.||||This lodge is for someone who wants a step above roughing it, i.e. beds, showers, flush toilets, rather than a tent, sleeping bag, vault toilet, and no showers. It isn't for anyone expecting a "decorator cabin". This is the real deal, historic...

This was my first time staying at Lake Alpine Lodge, and having experienced many different mountain cabin resorts across California, I can confidently say this is one of the best. I brought along my 12-year-old daughter and our Border Collie, Nellie, and we all had an incredible time.||||Location: The location is unbeatable—right across from the beautiful Lake Alpine with countless amazing trails to explore within a 30-minute drive. As an avid hiker, I was thrilled by the variety of trails, while my daughter loved playing in the water. It truly offers the best of both worlds. We hiked to Bull Run Lake one day and to Upper Kinney Lake via Ebbets Pass the next. We also rented a double kayak for $50 for two hours, which was worth every penny. We loved every moment on the water, especially spotting bald eagles, ospreys diving for fish, and playful ducks.||||Cabin: We stayed in the Jeffrey Pine cabin, which is perfect for up to three people. The cabin was spotless, and the shower featured an impressive, large showerhead that made showers feel luxurious. The kitchen was fully equipped with everything we needed, from a coffee pot to a toaster. The room also had a TV with a DVD player, and the lodge offers a large selection of books and DVDs. Each night, after a day full of adventure, we cozied up in bed and enjoyed a movie—a perfect way to wind down.||||Restaurant: We dined at the lodge’s restaurant for two nights, and both meals were excellent. The bar is charming, and I highly recommend trying their cocktails. One night I indulged in a fancy margarita, and the next I tried their famous Bloody Mary—a must-try for anyone who enjoys a good one.||||Extremely Dog-Friendly! The lodge is wonderfully accommodating to dogs. While pups must be kept on a leash, there’s ample outdoor seating where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings with your furry friends.||||Rates: The rates are good, similar to other cabin rentals we have visited. They require a non-refundable 15% deposit and if you cancel, no refunds. ||||The Only Con: The lodge is incredibly popular, so they fill up far in advance. You’ll need to plan ahead or hope for a lucky cancellation.||||We can’t wait to...

Since the campsites at Lake Alpine were full, this is a perfect option. The campsite is right down the street (about a mile) from the lake. I wouldn't say walking distance, considering that you're walking along a fast highway. This campsite was really nice. We took up three spots. It's a little on the pricey side for camping sites, but definitely worth it if you can't get a campsite on the lake. There's a couple of things to keep in mind when camping here. First thing, NEVER leave food or anything with a scent out. My cousin and son went a day ahead of us to set up our site. They made the mistake of leaving food out and got visited by 2 bears. They weren't aggressive, but they are wild animals and can be dangerous and should never be approached. They came really late in the night. Another huge tip that we found out the hard way, is to bring everything you can, so you don't have to pay the ridiculously outrageous prices that the local stores charge for necessities. They price gouge so bad. A gallon of water that you would normally pay $.99, the local stores will charge you $4.00. So it's almost worth to over shop for your trip. This campsite is really dusty, so if you can bring a sprayer, it will help out by spraying down the site where you'll be sitting at. That will help from the extra dust jumping up. Overall they keep the bathrooms (portable bathrooms) fairly clean, but toward the end of our trip, the portable toilet was completely filled to the top. As for other campers, I'd say it's a little louder than usual, but not too loud. Everyone was very friendly including the staff that checked up on us regularly. When you do come and go, be sure to drive slowly through the sites, because of the dust that picks up. It pretty much bombs your fellow campers with dust. There's a few hikes available. Before you set up, be sure to do a perimeter sweep, especially if you have kids. We found a throwing knife that a kid could have...