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The best camping near Eldorado National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Eldorado adventure.

The best camping near Eldorado National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Eldorado adventure.

Camping near Eldorado National Forest

92% (135 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Eldorado adventure.

Sierra Nevada gem offers lush forests, lakes, rivers, and peaks for year-round outdoor adventures.  

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Community favorites near Eldorado National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Eldorado National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Eldorado National Forest

95%
(1686)

Finnon Lake Recreation Area

39 sites ¡ RVs, Tents140 acres ¡ Placerville, CA
*BOOK EARLY* The campground is closed until April 1st. **NO FIREWORKS OF ANY KIND ALLOWED***** DINER CLOSED EFFECTIVE JULY 5TH*** **TRAILERS AND RVs MUST USE ROCK CREEK ROAD** From Sacramento on Hwy 50: : At the second stop light, Spring St./Hwy 49, turn left, heading north about 1 block to the stop sign. Turn left, staying on Hwy 49, approximately 1 mile. Turn right on Hwy 193. Travel approximately 3.1 miles to Rock Creek Road. Turn right onto Rock Creek Road and travel 8.9 miles to Finnon Lake/Frank's Diner on the Left. The campground is behind the Diner. The DINER IS CLOSED. Traveling West on 50 from Tahoe: make a right on HWY 49 traveling north. Follow the above instructions. Welcome to Finnon Lake Recreation Area! Our lovely lake offers serenity in a beautifully unique setting, nestled deep into the forest. Enjoy the scenic and exhilarating drive to our hidden gem along the South Fork of the American River- this is all for you to discover. The night skies above Finnon Lake will reveal stars unseen in most parts of California. Enjoy searching for bullfrogs, and watch the flock of Canadian Geese fly in right at sunset as the horizon blends into the watercolor sky. This private lake supports the fire protection efforts of the Mosquito Fire Protection District and the firefighters of this community. The lake is managed by volunteers of the community for the benefit of the residents The primary funding source for the Finnon Lake Restoration is the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, which was signed into law in 2004 with a mission to support “efforts that improve the environmental, economic and social well-being of the Sierra Nevada Region, its communities and the residents of California,” according to its Website. Finnon Lake is also home to a popular 18-hole disc golf course and Mosquito’s only restaurant, Frank's Diner. Enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, paddling, hiking, or biking during your stay. Potable water, picnic tables, campfire rings, and toilets on site. The property can not accommodate horses. 2 dogs per site limit. Our property is located in Placerville, California. Placerville is a charming California gold rush town named after the placer gold deposits found in its riverbeds and hills in the late 1840s. PLEASE NOTE, there is construction on the Mosquito Bridge. Expect delays, RVS/trailers must use Rock Creek Road (even if your GPS says Mosquito Road). Please message me with any questions. Please see our website: finnonrecreationarea.com for full directions. NO FIREWORKS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED. Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle.
from 
$30
 / night
99%
(1173)

Cosumnes River Ranch

25 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres ¡ Plymouth, CA
We are a family owned/operated ranch, located along the Cosumnes River, one of the last un-dammed rivers in California. As one of the last rivers flowing from the west slope of the Sierra without a major dam, the Cosumnes is a vital example of a healthy watershed. Our goal is to offer a unique outdoor experience for anyone looking for a place to spend time in the great outdoors. Whether you're looking for a single campsite, or a place for a larger gathering, we're excited to have you visit! Take your pick of activities available on site: swimming , gold panning, fishing, camp fires, wildlife watching, floating, hiking, and mountain biking to name a few. There are 3 miles of river to explore. Private and noise free. Porta potties on site.
from 
$85
 / night
98%
(181)

Camp 🏕 Gold Dust Vineyard

6 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents6 acres ¡ Somerset, CA
A six acre organic vineyard & natural winery on 21 acres awaits you at Gold Dust Vineyard. A working natural winery and cidery, come enjoy a glass, relax in the breezes at 2’700 feet. Decomposed granite soils and high elevation make for sweeping views and even better natural wine and cider! We welcome guests year round! Surrounded by nature, there is so much to do! Up in the Foothills, we experience all four seasons! Come relax☮️ March - May 🌸Don’t miss the wildflowers & babbling brooks, steams & rivers June - September 🏞Swimming in the Consumnes River or paddle boarding at Jenkinson Lake September - December 🍂🍁Fall foliage, wine harvest, apple picking and alpaca petting December - March ❄️⛷Snowy hikes, mushroom hunting and quick trips to South Lake Tahoe We accept reservations for wine and cider tastings and typically host guests between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm. Occasionally, during very hot and busy holiday weekends, we will host an evening tasting. Please note, we are a mom and pop shop with just two of us and our young son running the show. We live on site in a tiny house and use the tasting area as our 'back yard' during off hours. We ask that guests please respect our area and off hours requests. We do not permit live fires or generators.
from 
$35
 / night
98%
(934)

Camp Nauvoo

24 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents86 acres ¡ Placerville, CA
Camp Nauvoo was originally bought by the LDS church in the 1960's for a girl's camp. The camp was owned by the Boy Scouts from 2011-2015. The Rose family bought the property in 2016 with the intent to continue the tradition of tent camping as well as creating opportunities for exclusive events i.e., group/family reunions, weddings and corporate events. We are a small privately owned small campground (20 sites only) located on the outskirts of Placerville. The property features 86.5 secluded Tahoe like acres with beautiful year-round Weber Creek. The camp sites are placed along the creek or the bluff overlooking the creek. We have traditional dirt camping, canvas tents on platforms, teepees and glamping tents for those that want the comforts of home. We are tent camping only with only one site that allows a small travel trailer or van. (#14) . We are dog friendly and allow dogs in all but 5 glamping sites. We do enforce camp rules especially our quiet time between 10 PM and 7 AM (please review). We’ve been told that we have a “family camp” vibe. We are a great place for families wanting a safe environment for their kids but also several group sites for those that want to hang out together with multiple families. We are also a great base site for those wilderness enthusiasts with access to all the El Dorado National Forest including Desolation but want a hot shower at the end of the day. We have a lodge that is stocked with games and a ping pong table. The lodge has a microwave, Keurig machine and a hot water kettle for those hot drinks (BYO Cups).We have several tables set up for those that want to eat inside as well as multiple picnic tables along the side of the lodge with overhead protection. We have electricity at the at the lodge for small appliances and charging phones. We have a compressor on site to blow up your air mattresses or float toys. We’ve been told that our bathrooms are the “cleanest” ever and have changing tables and diaper pails. We offer nice flushing toilets and hot showers! We have many extra amenities including a compressor to use for your air mattresses, For outdoor activities we have basketball, volleyball, pickleball and cornhole not to mention the playground with swing sets, seesaw and tractor play. We have hiking trails throughout the property. Our highlight is a camp fire bowl with bench seating with a stage to display camper talent which is perfect for the evening fire and roasting s’mores (bring the fixings). The creek starts out in spring looking like a rushing river featuring many fishing and swimming holes. As the summer progresses the water level falls but is still great for water play and fishing. We have propane BBQs (we provide the propane for BBQs) located throughout the property. We also have a propane grill and charcoal BBQ located in the common area for all to use. There is a dutch oven pit also in the fire bowl area. We do not allow wood fires at the individual sites but each site has a propane firepit for ambiance (not cooking) that requires you to purchase a 20 lb. propane cannister on site (add in extras) or pay cash on site. No internet service. There is limited internet only available for purchases at the setore. We require a 3 night minimum for the major holidays - Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. We do not do checkins on Sunday but do allow camping over Sunday night. We do exclusive events so you may need to explore multiple weekends to find the right reservation. We are located in the foothills so we are a short hop to many local attractions that include river rafting, gold mines, wineries and historical towns with great eating establishments. Tahoe is less than an hour away and there a many hiking trails within 20-30 minutes. We have a limited number of items to rent i.e, tents, cots, camp stoves, etc. We rent a battery pack for those that use a cpap. We also have a small store on site for those items you forgot and a good selection of ice cream and ice. We take venmo or cash. CHECKIN IS BETWEEN 4 AND 8. IF YOU ARE COMING FROM THE BAY ALLOW 4 HOURS - YOU MUST LEAVE BY 3:00 IN ORDER TO ARRIVE DURING CHECKIN. IF YOU GET DELAYED, FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE OTHER CAMPERS YOU MAY CONSIDER WAITING AND ARRIVING THE NEXT MORNING. THERE ARE NO CHECKINS AFTER 9:00.
from 
$85
 / night
96%
(144)

Foothill Ridge

1 site ¡ RV, Tent20 acres ¡ Somerset, CA
Home of Mama Earth Farm, this 20 acre foothill property offers a rural but accessible location to connect with nature. Enjoy a simple place to call home after exploring the many nearby activities such as swimming in the local rivers, rock climbing, bike riding, hiking and wine tasting. Learn more about this land: Pitch your tent under the shade of an old oak tree. Clean, level, soft tent spaces are maintained and the meadow grasses are trimmed. Enjoy easy access from the road and the serenity of the night in the foothills. No lights, just a dark sky of stars. Enjoy the sunrise and sunset from this spot with a huge canyon overlook a couple hundred feet away from your tent. The Caldor fire burned several acres of this property in 2021 which makes the landscape pretty interesting, especially from the elevated sky deck platform that looks over the cany Organic produce is available from the farm (like you can walk out and pick something yummy in your bare feet) Visually private, pretty quite, and simply beautiful.
from 
$40
 / night
100%
(56)

160 Acres amidst National Forest

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents160 acres ¡ Placerville, CA
Learn more about this land: Welcome to Slate Mountain where you have access to 160 acres of gated, private wilderness with 360 degree mountain views and exclusive waterfront year-round on Slab Creek. Bring your hiking boots or your off-road toys and explore 160 acres of secluded, magical forest filled with wildflowers, butterflies, ancient Pines and Cedars, wild berries, and wild game. Pitch a tent or park your RV at your choice of locations with amazing views and total seclusion. Spend the day relaxing, picnicking, and try your luck at gold panning on pristine Slab Creek where not a single human or road exists for miles. Pitch a tent next to Slab Creek and spend an entire night bathed in the sounds of the rushing water and enchanted forest surrounding you. Plan a retreat. Plan a family reunion. Plan a hunting trip with the boys. Bring your motorless watercraft and spend an afternoon at Stumpy Meadows, a beautiful mountain reservoir a 25 minute drive from the property. Apple Hill wineries and farms are a 40 minute drive. If you bring the off-road toys you also have access to miles of trails throughout hundreds of acres of national forest. Don’t feel like cooking? Frank’s Diner on Finnon reservoir in Swansboro is a quick 20 minute drive from the property. If you need supplies, a nice restaurant, or a day of wine tasting to break up the grit, Downtown Placerville and Georgetown are both a 45 minute scenic drive.  **Coming Spring 2024 there will be three sites available to book on the property: (1) a drive-in tent/RV site, (2) a drive-in furnished bell tent, and (3) a hike-in furnished wall tent. If you are booking the main site for spring 2024 onward, please be aware that there may be up to two additional parties camping on the property at that time. However, the three campsites are each in separate areas so you will likely not encounter the other parties except in passing on the road to/from the creek.** IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE:  1) For ease of access, and to get the most out of your experience, we highly recommend a 4WD vehicle with clearance. 2) The creek is at the bottom of the canyon, 1.3 miles from the gate at the entrance, and the road down is very steep in parts. We highly recommend an off-road vehicle/ATV for easy access to creek. If your vehicle is 4WD you can drive approximately 1 mile down, park and hike the remaining .3 mile to the creek.  3) Be aware you are in the middle of the forest and wildlife such as bear, rattlesnakes, etc have been spotted on the property. Poison Oak can also be spotted in certain areas.   4) The property has cell service on the upper quadrant, however once you drop below the tree line toward the creek there is no service.
from 
$75
 / night
95%
(172)

Cosumnes River Somerset Camp

9 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents23 acres ¡ Grizzly Flats, CA
This land was home to the Miwok, then European and Chinese miners, then a cattle rancher. It was also home to a former nun who quit the dominican order to purchase this land for inner city kids to have a chance to ride, swim, hike and fish. There is NOTHING like being in the wilderness of this area for a good re-centering of the soul! We feel certain you will not be disappointed with this beautiful river canyon. Our property is situated right on the middle fork cosumnes river. We have 2 sleeping cabins and several tent sites (can be rented separately). The cabins offers a rustic/minimalist type vibe - bring your own bedding/pillows to sleep on the comfy futon. A table and chairs are provided for the cabins. Tent sites have a wood table (bring your camp chairs) and a fire pit when the season is open for burning. The swimming is awesome and the stars at night will put you into a state of awe! Many family owned wineries in the area, most of them offering free tasting. It’s a short drive to Tahoe and the Marshall gold discovery site as well as the historic hangtown Placerville. The recent Caldor Fire was VERY close to our property and a back burn was initiated nearby the cabins. It is still as beautiful as ever but please know there are lots of slash piles. Falling trees and burned up stump holes are also a risk and it is presumed campers will be cautious and at their own risk. Please don't hesitate to shoot us a message if you have any questions!
from 
$45
 / night
97%
(252)

Sierra Camping Experience

11 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents50 acres ¡ Placerville, CA
Come experience our majestic pine and oak wilderness, all with beautiful vista of Cosumnes River Valley and mountains for miles & miles. Lounge in the peace and quiet. Hang out with our goats, sheep, dogs, chickens, guineas, and ducks during the day! Plus 2 miles of beautiful wilderness trails. Our site is close to many attractions in the area. The area abounds with famous California gold country sites, museums, and historic Downtown Placerville. We are positioned about 20-30 minutes from some of the state's most beautiful swimming, kayaking, and hiking locations. Shenandoah Valley Wineries are a wonderful stop just 30 minutes South of us, and Apple Hill orchards are 30-40 minutes North-East of us. And of course, the ever-popular Lake Tahoe is 1 hour North-East on Hwy 50. We aim to create a peaceful, welcoming, and safe environment. We believe in diversity, inclusion, and equity for all people! PLEASE NOTE before you book: - Please book all extras through the Hipcamp App. If you decide later to add on anything after arrival, you can change your reservation to reflect. - All sites come with a fire pit. All sites except Site #9 come with a picnic table. If this is during our dry season with high fire danger, we do not allow open wood or charcoal fires. This is usually between June and October. If you have any questions about fires, please feel free to reach out to us. During fire season, propane fires are permitted and we rent them out in the extras section. - We cannot accommodate camping vehicles larger than 20 feet. We cannot accommodate trailers. We have a very small turnaround and it is difficult to maneuver larger vehicles and trailers in these areas. Site #1 is the only site that you can park at with a vehicle within the site. - Refunds are honored if you cancel before 72 hours prior to your check-in time. If your reservation starts at 2pm on Friday, you will need to cancel by 2pm on Tuesday. We do not refund for late cancellations due to unfavorable weather. Please do your diligence by checking weather reports early and cancel early if you believe you will not want to camp in those conditions. - Because we are in a natural mountain environment, we do have to deal with pests from time to time. During hotter months, bees, ants, and wasps will often frequent our campsites, attracted by food. We do what we can to keep them away, but mid-Summer months especially are more difficult. If you feel like this will bother you, please consider booking with us Fall through Spring.
from 
$58
 / night
96%
(606)

Harris Family Farm and Forest

7 sites ¡ Tents125 acres ¡ Pollock Pines, CA
Enjoy our peaceful historic family farm (160 years and 7 generations). We are an Apple Hill(tm) Grower farm away from the congestion and traffic. Camp in the woods or near the farm in the Christmas trees. Spend a day helping on the farm, hiking in the woods or just relaxing. You pick fruit and vegetables available in season. We offer jam making classes in July, August and September $30 per person. Join us for High Tea in the Orchard once a month through the summer $40 per person. Sign up early for these activites they fill up quickly. Our farm is near many mountain lakes and historic towns. Looking forward to having you visit our farm.Enjoy hikes in the woods or help on the farm. On weekends, we have an evening bonfire with s'mores and goodies from our pie shop. You pick blackberries, apples and pumpkins available in season.
from 
$48
 / night
90%
(10)

Coachland RV Resort

134 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs50 acres ¡ Truckee, CA
Coachland RV Park is situated in the picturesque Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern California and is within close proximity to all the outdoor activities, shopping, and dining that Truckee, CA has to offer. Located at an elevation of 5,996 ft., Coachland RV Park welcomes visitors year-round and is a short distance from Northstar Ski Resort and Squaw Valley. During the summer, visitors can enjoy fishing and watersports on the nearby Truckee River. All the beauty that Lake Tahoe offers is just a short drive away from Coachland RV Park.
from 
$70
 / night
96%
(23)

Jason R.’s Land

1 site ¡ RV, Tent5 acres ¡ Pollock Pines, CA
from 
$119
 / night
95%
(21)

L.Davis Ranch and Olde LYFE Alpacas

1 site ¡ RV, Tent130 acres ¡ Washoe Valley, NV
We sit on 130 acres of primarily pasture over looking Washoe Valley and Washoe Lake. Olde LYFE Alpacas offers visits with the animals, including an organized 60 min Peaceful Walk with an alpaca where you’ll experience them up close. To book an experience, go to www.oldelyfealpacas.com. There is a small retail store on site with a variety of products made with alpaca fiber, including the most delightful alpaca socks!!
from 
$25
 / night

The best camping near Eldorado National Forest guide

Overview

About

In the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe, Eldorado National Forest is a popular and easy nature getaway for Sacramento and Bay Area residents. Spanning nearly 600,000 acres, the forest offers more than 400 miles of trails, hundreds of lakes and reservoirs, and thousands of miles of rivers and streams, including 611 fishable miles, across a diverse landscape of rugged peaks, steep river canyons, and lush forests. With so much to do, you’ll want to spend a few days exploring—more than 50 developed campgrounds, cabins, and excellent backcountry camping options in the Desolation and Mokelumne Wildernesses offer plenty of space for every type of camper

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for swimmers and tent campers: The walk-in Fashoda Campground offers a large swim beach and shady tent sites with views of Union Valley Reservoir. 
  • Best for fishing and Mokelumne Wilderness access: The Woods Lake Campgrounds offers easy access to Woods Lake and Mokelumne Wilderness trails.
  • Best for paddlers and floaters: The Gerle Creek Campground is located near Gerle Creek and the sheltered and calm waters of Gerle Reservoir.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. During peak season, plan to reserve a campsite as soon as you know your dates. Reservations can be made from four days and up to six months in advance.
  2. If you don’t have a reservation, plan to arrive first thing in the morning to grab a site at a first-come, first-served campground.
  3. Check on seasonal opening and closing dates, which vary by campground. Some campgrounds may be closed due to effects from recent fires.

When to go

Summer is the most popular time for camping, with peak times in July and August. The fishing season runs from late April to mid November. Spring can see dazzling wildflower displays, while fall colors are worth seeing in September and October. Most winter activities are snow dependent. Sno-parks in the region require permits from November through May.

Know before you go

  • Campfire permits are required for all fires outside of developed campgrounds. Fire regulations may limit or prohibit fires entirely from time to time.
  • Overnight permits are required to enter the two wilderness areas. Desolation Wilderness has a quote system from Memorial Day through September and also requires a free day use permit. 
  • Vehicles, including bicycles, are not permitted in wilderness areas.
  • Be aware of hazard trees damaged from fire.
  • Fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 and over.
  • Be bear aware, especially when camping. Store food and other attractants in a bear-proof container away from your tent.

Nearby attractions

Your North Fork of the American River camping trip will be one for the books. Nestled within the Sierra Nevada mountains, the pristine river and surrounding wilderness offer endless outdoor activities. Rafting, fishing, or simply relaxing by the riverside will fill your days with joy.

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