Granite Flat Campground — Hotel in Truckee

I’m not sure where to begin with my Granite Flats review. I made reservations 6 months out for site 55, a pull through site that would easily accommodate my 36’ 5th wheel. About a week before my arrival the camp host called me to tell me the loop I had reserved the site in would be closed one day after my arrival, ugh. The host again called the day before my arrival to offer two spots he selected for me. The first site was beyond my backing ability due to obstacles (giant boulders) in the area I needed to maneuver my truck and had low hanging tree branches to drag on my rig. The second site would barely fit my rig, much less my truck. The host was gone when we arrived but I called him and explained the situation and he said basically I could take any site that wasn’t occupied and I found one that worked. Scott the host was friendly and tried to help. Granite Flats has an unusual layout in that the loops are marked as one way with both signs and arrows on the road but some sites are angled backwards so that they could only be backed in from the opposite direction of travel. I think the site lengths listed online are optimistic and must have been measured to the far end of the angled opening which means if your trailer and vehicle is the length listed then something is going to be sticking out in the road. Like many older campgrounds I think Granite Flats was designed when trailers were much smaller than they are now. Also most of the sites back in to the passenger side which make it difficult compared to backing into a site on the driver’s side.

We stayed in site 16. As the campground is next to a highway there is a lot of traffic noise, which is pretty much the same no matter where your site is located in the campground. Being right off Hwy 89 and a short distance from I-80 the campground is easily accessible. If you are not familiar with the layout of the campground take a look at online photos of the campground layout, as there is little signage when you enter the campground from the highway. The campsite numbers seem somewhat random, not sequential. The paved roads in the campground are in good shape but need overhanging trees to be trimmed. Our site was pretty level but some of the other campers were using leveling blocks. There is no electricity, water or sewer at the sites. Threaded water spigots are in several locations in the campground, most of them are situated so that you will be blocking the road for however long it takes one to fill their tanks. There is no dump station. Each site has a bear locker, picnic table, grill and fire ring. I did not see any firewood for sale at the campground. I get 1-2 bars signal on my AT&T cell phone. Gas and Diesel are available nearby but be prepared to pay a premium price in this area. This is a beautiful area to visit and because of this it is crowded and pricey. Even though many of the sites are on the river side, there is minimal river access. I think in this area people have the “naturalist” outlook and because of this I would call the campground vegetation overgrown, hence the minimal river access. I would not stay here again in a big rig but would return if I were in...

I love this campground. The location is only about 1.5 miles south of the lovely town of Truckee with great restaurants, super hardware store, SaveMart groceries, and a new Grocery Outlet. Want a cold beer, firewood, ice, or forgot the eggs? You just have to drive a mile and a half to Truckee. A beautiful 12 mile drive takes you to the world famous Lake Tahoe where you will also find amazing amenities including a wonderful North Tahoe Arts gallery and store with works by local artisans. Be sure to hike the spectacular Rubicon trail which starts at the D.L. Bliss Campground. Granite Flats Campground does have the "traffic noise" and I do recommend you not stay in the sites along the road. Plan ahead or check for cancellations or go in the middle of the week so you can reserve the sites that are NOT #7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 47, 49, 51, 53, 67, or 68. If you are desperate and have strong ear plugs then be forewarned that those sites are basically the frontage road for HWY 89. hahaha. The camp host, Scott, is very dedicated and works hard many hours beyond his contracted job hours in an effort to make sure each campsite is clean for the next reservation. PLEASE people, pick up your cigarette butts, pistachio nut shells, bottle caps, dental floss, and crumpled up foil. These do not belong in the fire pit either. The hard working camp host takes pride in his work and I see him bending over picking up some campers dental floss on the ground and I am sad that some campers are not more considerate. The warning that there are bears is genuine but there are very strong and large metal bear containers provided.If you are staying in the hot days you might want a shade structure to place over the hot metal food storage box. Keep food and scented items out of your car and tent. One of my photos is of a bear in the Granite Flat Campground in August 2020. Remember that bears don't see very well but have a keen sense of smell . . . and are smarter than you think . . . Don't sleep in your tent with marshmallow spilled on your clothes. hahaha. Three stars for road noise, no showers, and pit toilets but seven stars for Lake Tahoe proximity location, great camp host, and riverfront. ...

Bring earplugs if tent camping!

Only reason for two stars instead of one was because my site #34 had a nice little spot where people had cleared out the rocks in the river which made a great place to relax in the water after my bike rides!

I knew it was next to the road, but the traffic doesn’t die down until after 10pm and starts up again around 5am. It’s also inconsistent so it’s not a “white noise” that can lull you to sleep.

Spots are close together and of the five near me only two have good spots for tents. Spots 32 & 33 should really only be one based on size, but since there are two tables and two food boxes, they count it as two.

Lots of wildlife here though! I’ve seen a mink, river otters, a snake, plenty of chipmunks and even had a bear checking out my water bottles at 4:45am!

Location was convenient because there are lots of mtb trails nearby and some even within a short ride up the road, but unless you have a trailer, I can’t recommend tent...