Description

Loon Lake Campground is perched at 6,500 feet in the Crystal Basin section of the Eldorado National Forest, close to the northwest corner of the Desolation Wilderness. It’s right on the shore of Loon Lake, a 76,200-acre reservoir ringed with boulders, fir trees, and rolling peaks in classic High Sierra fashion. Campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, grills, and bear-proof containers, plus water and bathroom access. Some sites feature views of the lake, and excellent hiking and mountain biking trails can be found close by. This campground is also popular with OHV drivers due to its proximity to the Rubicon Trail.

 

Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation

  • Loon Lake Campground has both reservable and first-come, first-served sites. 
  • Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance online. 
  • If you’re trying to get a walk-in site, arrive early or shoot for Monday to Thursday when the campground is less busy.  
  •  

    When to Go

    This campground typically opens in June and closes sometime in September, depending on the snowpack. You can call the Placerville Ranger Station at 530-644-2324 for current season information. Although the campground is closed during the off season, winter visitors come to Loon Lake for skiing and hiking. The Loon Lake Chalet, a separate campground adjacent to Loon Lake Campground, offers winter lodging options, too. Roads to the Chalet are plowed during the winter. Contact the Placerville Ranger Station for current road and weather conditions prior to your winter trip.

    Campsite area
    Tent or RV sites
    65 sites
    Up to 6 guests per site
    Up to 6 vehicles
    No wheelchair access
    Essentials
    Campfires allowed
    Toilet available
    Pets allowed
    Amenities
    Potable water available
    Picnic table available

    Activities

    Offered near the campground.

    Biking

    The area surrounding Lake Tahoe offers plenty of biking opportunities. There aren’t too many trails around Eldorado specifica...Read more

    Boating

    The Loon Lake Campground has a boat ramp that gives boaters access to the lake. Kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and canoein...Read more

    Fishing

    Loon Lake is stocked with rainbow and brown trout. Aside from the area's 11 reservoirs and lakes, hundreds of additional lakes ...Read more

    Hiking

    The Rubicon Hiking Trail starts near the campground and travels 3.8 miles along the eastern side of Loon Lake, and then 2.2 add...Read more

    Horseback riding

    Hay horse friends, hit the trail! There are some pretty cool trails , like the Horse Canyon trail, the Emigrant Lake trail, an...Read more

    Paddling

    Wilderness areas only allow non-motorized boating, which means kayakers, canoers, and paddlers of all kinds, should head over t...Read more

    Wind sports

    Union Valley Reservoir seems to be the only place that allows kiteboarding and windsurfing, but you should ask a ranger, if thi...Read more

    Off-roading (OHV)

    The famed 22-mile Rubicon Trail, where 4WD operators push their vehicles to their limits on alpine terrain, starts near Loon La...Read more

    Climbing

    Do you love rock climbing? Then head to Lover’s Leap, a granite formation, perfect for climbing and bouldering. At almost 600 f...Read more

    Snow sports

    Your recreation opportunities continue into the winter, with skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tubing, xc skiing and snowshoeing ...Read more

    Swimming

    Swimming is allowed in Loon Lake, but prepare for a cold plunge unless it’s a hot summer day.

    Whitewater paddling

    One of the most popular whitewater trips is the south fork of the American River, which runs through Eldorado National Forest. ...Read more

    Wildlife watching

    There are almost 350 different species living in here… Holy cow! Common Sierra dwellers like mule deer, mountain lions, bears, ...Read more

    Terrain

    Natural features you'll find at Loon Lake Campground.

    Beach
    Forest
    Lake
    River, stream, or...
    Swimming hole
    Waterfall
    Hipcamp makes it easy to find unique camping experiences.
    Discover campsites, ranches, vineyards, farms, glamping, public parks and more.

    20 Reviews

    750
    No one? Bueller? Sharing is caring, y'all.
    Drop some Loon Lake Campground knowledge on us.
    Hipcamper Gerry
    Gerry D.
    recommends this listing.
    August 7th, 2019

    Brought my kids here on our first camping trip. The fishing was fun, the site had great water access, secluded, and big enough for a couple of more tents. It might have been too rough for a first trip, but we still had fun. My daughter said she really missed flushing toilets. It is a half-hour to anything and an hour from anything other than a small store cafe. Not really a problem for us, but don't forget anything. The lake was beautiful and warm enough for swimming (it was August). The hikes were amazing. Overall we really enjoyed ourselves. It was a great camping spot.

    Hipcamper Rose
    Rose H.
    recommends this listing.
    October 25th, 2018

    Lots of campsites. Can be noisy during the busy season. The lake is very pretty

    Hipcamper Danielle
    Danielle W.
    recommends this listing.
    February 2nd, 2018

    Gorgeous!

    Hipcamper Minh
    Minh D.
    didn't provide a recommendation.
    September 5th, 2017

    Have been coming here several times a year since 1992. If you really want to get away, keep driving on Ice House road past the campsites until you get to the end of the road. Unload your canoe and paddle in or hike in. It's open wilderness and hopefully, you won't see another soul for a hundred yards. You'll discover spots that adventurous souls have pitched their tents in the past. Just look for the fire rings. I've been hoarding this jem to myself for the last 25 years. Hopefully, another generation will discover the awesomeness of Loon Lake.

    Hipcamper Abbey
    Abbey S.
    recommends this listing.
    July 12th, 2017

    Book it a week or two in advance

    Hipcamper Paul J.
    recommends this listing.
    July 20th, 2018
    Hipcamper Peter B.
    recommends this listing.
    May 3rd, 2018
    Hipcamper Pamela T.
    has mixed feelings towards this listing.
    February 15th, 2018
    Hipcamper Jim B.
    recommends this listing.
    February 13th, 2018
    Hipcamper Jason R.
    recommends this listing.
    January 8th, 2018
    Hipcamper Truc L.
    recommends this listing.
    December 1st, 2017
    Hipcamper Mariah L.
    recommends this listing.
    July 27th, 2017
    Hipcamper Matthew C.
    recommends this listing.
    July 14th, 2017
    Hipcamper Eva M.
    recommends this listing.
    May 2nd, 2017
    Hipcamper Andrew N.
    recommends this listing.
    April 19th, 2017
    Hipcamper Shane A.
    recommends this listing.
    April 19th, 2017
    Hipcamper Matthew M.
    recommends this listing.
    April 18th, 2017
    Hipcamper Karolina P.
    recommends this listing.
    April 6th, 2017
    Hipcamper Jeni S.
    recommends this listing.
    March 23rd, 2017
    Hipcamper Elisha H.
    recommends this listing.
    March 15th, 2017
    Park
    Eldorado National Forest
    State
    California
    Country
    United States
    Phone Number
    530-293-0827
    Directions
    View on Google Maps
    Official Website
    View Website
    Coordinates
    38.981° N, 120.316° W
    Unknown price
    Tent Only: 1 Site
    (Up to 6 people per site)
    Unknown price
    RV / Trailer: 3 Sites
    (Up to 6 people per site)
    Unknown price
    Tent / RV / Trailer - Group: 3 Sites
    (Up to 50 people per site)
    Unknown price
    Equestrian: 9 Sites
    (Up to 6 people per site)
    Unknown price
    Tent / RV / Trailer: 49 Sites
    (Up to 6 people per site)