Clair Tappaan Lodge

The lodge is still a unique experience, and my kid enjoys coming here, so I’ll probably return. I’ll skip the food next time, though. We’ve stayed over the years and liked it, but this visit was a letdown. Meals used to be included with the lodging price; now they cost extra: $30 for dinner, $20 for breakfast, and $15 for lunch. The food was hard to eat, and the cooks and staff were new this year. Dinner was a pork sandwich with meat drenched in barbecue sauce, canned beans, and salad that didn’t taste fresh. Breakfast was better, with eggs, potatoes, cold cereal, and yogurt. For lunch, we made our own ham sandwich, the only choice, to take on the way out, along with chips and an apple. The next morning I got food poisoning. I’m convinced it came from the deli ham or cheese on the tray, which didn’t seem fresh.

We love bringing our kids here. The yard is lovely for playing, and there’s no need to worry about cars driving through. We bring toys and everyone shares, so it feels like a big community. The building has been around a while, and the beds aren’t the most comfortable, so bring a sleeping bag if you can. Still, it works well. The staff are so sweet and do a great job with what they have. Cleanliness and the food have both improved since last year. We usually pack plenty of snacks, a marshmallow kit, and hot chocolate. If we arrive late, we bring dinner too, since you need to sign up for dinner. Such a nice family place.

This is what making the outdoors more accessible looks like. I spent four winter weekends here in 2025, and it brought back memories of winters at the Murie lodge in Jackson Hole and the Teton Science School Kelly campus. I wish there were more places like this cherished spot. It’s a classic lodge, basically camping with hot water, so don’t expect the Ritz. I’m coming back again this weekend!

My first hostel stay went smoothly, and the lodge made everything easy and accommodating. Josefina at reception was really kind and gave detailed answers to all my many questions. The rest of the staff were sweet too, and were available and happy to help whenever I had a question or concern. The rooms and bathrooms are very nice, and the rustic lodge style was impeccable. It felt like being in a scene from Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight. A beautiful experience. Whenever I’m back in Tahoe to skin or hike, I’ll visit again.