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Campgrounds Status
-
Forest Rules, Regulations, and Forest Specific Forest Orders (regulations)
As a visitor to the National Forests, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forests and the natural environment, to ensure the health and safety of visitors, and to promote a pleasant and rewarding outdoor recreation experience for all visitors.
Current Campground Conditions (By District)
Last updated: June 28, 2024
Current conditions of the developed campgrounds on the forest are listed here, by Ranger District. Note: When winter weather and storms occur, all sites are subject to closure without notice.
Notes:
The interagency America the Beautiful passes (Golden Age) DO NOT APPLY to concession facilities with standard amenity fees (which are typically our day use sites). The concession has developed its own Day Use pass for the facilities it operates. There is now a single concessionaire for the entire forest.
| Facility Name | Fee | Status | Campfires Allowed when Open? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bear Creek Day Use Area (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
Brush Creek Day Use Area (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
Traverse Creek Day Use Area (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
$8 overnight/ $3 day |
Open. Bring water. |
Yes |
|
Donaldson Trailhead (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
East Slab Creek Reservoir Day Use Area (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
Long Canyon Camping Area (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
Yes |
|
Rock Creek Trails Area |
|||
|
Bald Mountain OHV Staging Area |
None |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Balderston Staging Area |
None |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Mace Mill OHV Staging Area |
None |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Stumpy Meadows Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$175/75 person (reservation only) |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Stumpy Meadows Boatramp and Picnic Area (Concession operated) |
$28/camping on boatramp-RVs only |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$135/50 person (2) |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Hell Hole Area |
|||
|
(2 sites) (USFS operated) |
$25/25 person (1) |
Open. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
$10/single |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(USFS operated) |
$10 |
Closed. Expected opening July 1. |
Yes |
|
Hell Hole Boatramp Parking Areas (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
Hell Hole Vista (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
Upper Hell Hole walk/boat in (USFS operated) |
None |
Open. |
Yes |
PACIFIC RANGER DISTRICT - Crystal Basin Area
| Facility Name | Fee | Status | Campfire Allowed? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crystal Basin Ice House Road Area |
|||
|
Cleveland Corral Information Station |
|
TBD. |
No |
|
Silver Creek Group (Concession operated) |
$130/40 person (reservation only) |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(private) |
|
9000 Ice House Rd Pollock Pines, CA 95726, (530) 293-3321 |
|
|
Big Hill Overlook (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
Crystal Basin Information Station |
|
Open. Thursday through Sunday 9 AM - 4 PM. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
$65 (6 person max, reservation only) |
Access by permit. (year-round). The lower gate on the Robbs Hut Rd #13N31, is open. The upper gate is always locked and access is for renters only. Winter: Access is by ski or snowshoe only. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
$75 (6 person max. (reservation only) |
Closed for repairs. |
No |
|
Tells Equestrian Campground & Van Vleck Trailhead (USFS operated) |
|
Accessible but not open yet. Pre-opening maintenance and hazard tree work in progress. Still snow in area. |
No |
|
Bassi Falls Trailhead & Millionaire Camping Area (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
$100 (reservation only) |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Ice House Reservoir Area |
|||
|
Ice House (Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open. Automated Fee Machine available at this location: Fees can be paid with credit/debit cards. |
Yes |
|
Ice House Boatramp, Dam Area Day Use, and Picnic Area (Concession operated) |
$28/camping on boatramp |
Open. The boatramp is open for lake access/day use and for camping with self-contained vehicles only. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
$10 |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(USFS operated) |
$10 |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Upper Silver Creek Day Use (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
Union Valley Reservoir Area |
|||
|
(USFS operated) |
$10 |
Open. |
Yes |
|
walk/bike/boat in (USFS operated) |
None |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open. Parts of loops 1 and 2 are closed due to nesting eagles. See Facility Renovation page for renovations. Automated Fee Machine available at this location: Fees can be paid with credit/debit cards. |
Yes |
|
Sunset Boatramp (Concession operated) |
$28/camping on boatramp (overflow only) |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Sunset Group (Concession operated) |
Fee / 30 person site |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Fashoda Tent (Concession operated) |
$28 (reservation only) |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Fashoda Day Use (Concession operated) |
$10/picnic |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$145/ 50 person |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Azalea Cove walk/bike/boat in (USFS operated) |
None |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28 |
Open. Automated Fee Machine available at this location: Fees can be paid with credit/debit cards. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$160/ 50 person (2 sites) |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28 |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Yellowjacket Boatramp (Concession operated) |
$8/boatramp day use |
Open. |
No |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Wolf Creek Groups (3) (Concession operated) |
$140/25 people (tent) (reservation only) |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(USFS operated) |
|
Expected opening early July. See Facility Renovation page for renovation closure. Forest order 03-23-06. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$25/single |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Westpoint Boatramp (Concession operated) |
$10/boatramp, day use |
Open. |
No |
|
Gerle Creek Area |
|||
|
Angel Creek (Concession operated) |
$10/day use |
Open. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
None |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Gerle Creek (Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open.
|
Yes |
|
Gerle Creek (Concession operated) |
$10/picnic areaOpen. |
Open. |
No |
|
Loon Lake Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open. Automated Fee Machine available at this location: Fees can be paid with credit/debit cards. |
Yes |
|
Loon Lake Boatramp and Picnic Area (Concession operated) |
$28/camping on boatramp |
Open. |
No |
|
Loon Lake Undeveloped Boatramp (north shore) |
none |
Open. |
No |
|
Loon Lake Trailhead |
$10/day use |
Open. |
No |
|
Loon Lake Groups (3) (Concession operated) |
$160/50 person (Group#1) |
Open |
Yes |
|
(USFS operated) |
$100 (20 person max. reservation only) |
The Loon Lake Chalet will be closed until further notice. It will be undergoing redesign and reconstruction. Parking area and restroom are accessible. |
No |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$125/25 person. (reservation only) |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Pleasant walk/bike/boat in (USFS operated) |
None |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(USFS operated) |
None |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Wrights Lake Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$25/single |
Open. Automated Fee Machine available at this location: Fees can be paid with credit/debit cards. |
Yes |
|
Wrights Lake (Concession operated) |
day use, picnic area, boatramp area |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Rockbound & Twin Lakes Trailheads (Concession operated) |
day use fee |
Open. (The day use/parking fee at Pyramid Creek, Rockbound, and Twin Lakes Trailhead will be waived for overnight permit holders accessing Desolation Wilderness.) Overnight permit holders are issued a parking pass for trailheads that charge a day use fee. The parking pass should be displayed on the dash of their vehicle when using the parking area. The parking pass does not reserve a parking space nor guarantee parking will be available.) |
No |
|
Lyons Creek (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
| Facility Name | Fee | Status | Campfire Allowed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highway 50 Corridor Area | |||
|
East Slab Creek Day Use (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
West Slab Creek Day Use (USFS operated) |
|
TBD. |
No |
|
Bridal Veil Picnic Area and Group camp (Concession operated) |
$10/day use (per vehicle) $105/30 person group, 7 vehicles |
Open. |
No |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Pony Express Corral Trailhead (USFS operated) |
|
Open. Note: the bridges were destroyed/damaged in the Caldor fire. |
No |
|
Lovers Leap (Concession operated) |
$28/camping |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Lovers Leap (Concession operated) |
$10/day use |
Open. |
No |
|
Pyramid Trailhead (Concession operated) |
Facility added to Concession permit $10/day use parking fee |
Open. -------------------------------------------- Automated Fee Machine available at this location: Fees can be paid with credit/debit cards. (The day use/parking fee at Pyramid Creek, Rockbound, and Twin Lakes Trailhead will be waived for overnight permit holders accessing Desolation Wilderness. Overnight permit holders are issued a parking pass for trailheads that charge a day use fee. The parking pass should be displayed on the dash of their vehicle when using the parking area. The parking pass does not reserve a parking space nor guarantee parking will be available.) |
No |
|
Mt. Ralston Trailhead (USFS operated) |
|
Open. (Desolation Wilderness overnight permit required year-round) |
No |
|
Adventure Mountain Snowplay Area (Special Use Permit) |
|
See website for activities. |
|
|
(Special Use Permit) |
|
See website for activities. |
|
|
Sayles Canyon / Bryan Meadow Trailhead (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
(Private) |
|
Call for information. Phone: 530-659-7207 (8 am to 6 pm PST summer only); echochalet-since1939@earthlink.net, www.echochalet.com. |
No |
|
Echo Lake Parking area / Sno-Park |
|
Open. Parking area is a California Sno-Park from November 1 through April 30. |
No |
|
Silver Fork Road Area |
|||
|
China Flat (Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open. |
Yes |
|
China Flat Day Use Area (Concession operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
$105 (20 person max.) |
Open. Available by reservation only. |
No |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Gray Rock Camping Area |
|
Closed. Caldor Fire damage. Forest Order 03-24-03. |
Yes |
|
Caples Creek Equestrian Trailhead (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
Caples Creek Trailhead (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
Sly Park Area |
|||
|
(EID) |
|
530-644-2545. www.eid.org. Open. |
n/a |
|
Fleming Meadow Trailhead |
None |
Open until early/mid July then closed for reconstruction. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
|
Open. Reservation only. |
No |
|
Cedar Park Trailhead (USFS operated) |
None |
Open. |
No |
|
North South Road Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$165 group |
Closed due to Caldor Fire damage. Forest Order 03-24-03 |
Yes |
|
Elkins OHV Staging Area |
None |
Closed. Significant trail damage from fire. Forest Order 03-24-03 |
Yes |
AMADOR RANGER DISTRICT - Highway 88 Corridor
| Facility Name | Fee | Status | Campfire Allowed? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
North South Road Area |
|||
|
Gold Note OHV Staging Area |
None |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Pipi (Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Pipi (Concession operated) |
$10/day use |
Open. Automated Fee Machine available at this location: Fees can be paid with credit/debit cards. |
No |
|
Blue Lakes Area |
|||
|
Blue Lake Lower, Upper, and Dam. Middle Creek (PG&E) |
$23 |
Check with PG&E for current status. PG&E website. |
|
|
Highway 88 Corridor |
|||
|
Lumberyard Picnic Area (USFS operated) |
None |
Open. |
No |
|
Shot Rock Vista Day Use Area (USFS operated) |
None |
Open. |
No |
|
Middle Fork Cosumnes and Annex (Concession operated) |
$25/single |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Iron Mountain Parking Area / Sno-Park (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
Martin Meadow Campground (USFS operated) |
None |
Closed. Caldor fire damage. Forest Order 03-24-03 |
Yes |
|
Shealor Lake Trailhead (USFS operated) |
None |
Open. |
No |
|
Silver Lake Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open. Note: Part of the campground will be renovated this season, only sites 1-17 will be open. |
Yes |
|
(EID) |
$30 |
www.eid.org/recreation/silver-lake Please contact 530-295-6810 for updates. |
n/a |
|
Allen Camp Trailhead (USFS operated) |
None |
Open. |
No |
|
(EID) |
$10 (boat launch) $5 (day use) |
www.eid.org. Check with EID for status. |
No |
|
(Private) |
|
Check with Resort for status. www.plassesresort.com. 209-258-8814. |
n/a |
|
$10 (boat launch) $5 (day use) |
Check with EID for status. Self-pay boatramp and bathrooms only during the summer. No store. |
No |
|
|
Horse Canyon Trailhead (USFS operated) |
None |
Open. |
No |
|
Thunder Mountain Trailhead (USFS operated) |
None |
Open. |
No |
|
Mud Lake OHV Trailhead |
None |
Snow on trail. |
No |
|
(Private) |
|
www.kitcarsonlodge.com. 209-258-8500. Call resort for information and reservations for rentals. |
|
|
Kirkwood Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single
|
Open. |
Yes |
|
(Private) |
|
www.kirkwood.com. (209) 258-6000. Open. |
|
|
Margaret Lake Trailhead (USFS operated) |
None |
Open. |
No |
|
Caples Lake Area |
|||
|
Caples Dam Trailhead (USFS operated) |
None |
Open. Snow on trail.
Trail goes into Mokelumne Wilderness to Emigrant Lake. |
No |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(Private) |
|
Call resort for status, information and reservations. 209-258-8888. |
n/a |
|
Caples Lake Dam Boatramp (EID) |
fee |
Open. |
No |
|
Woods Lake & Carson Pass Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single Facilities added to Concession permit. Woods Day Use & Picnic Area |
Open. |
Yes |
|
Woods Creek Day Use |
|
Open. |
No |
|
Woods Lake Trailhead (Concession operated) |
$10/day use |
Open |
No |
|
Meiss Trailhead / Sno-Park (USFS operated) |
$5/day use in summer, $15/day use winter as a SnoPark. |
Open. Parking area is a California Sno-Park from November 1 through May 30. |
No |
|
Carson Pass Information Station |
|
Open. |
No |
|
Carson Pass Trailhead / Sno-Park (USFS operated) |
$5/day use in summer, $15/day use winter as a SnoPark. |
Open. Trails partially snow covered. Parking area is a California Sno-Park from November 1 through May 30. |
No |
|
Bear River Reservoir Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$25/single |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(Private) |
|
Check with Resort for status. bearrivercampground.com |
|
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Open. Automated Fee Machine available at this location: Fees can be paid with credit/debit cards. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$115/25 person (3) |
Open. (Available by reservation only (summer). |
Yes |
|
Cole Creek Camping area |
|
Open. This is not a developed camping area. |
Yes |
|
Salt Springs Area |
|||
|
Salt Springs Trailhead (PGE Operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
(Concession operated) |
$25/single & double |
Open. |
|
|
(Concession operated) |
$25/single |
Open. |
|