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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: April 1, 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. Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
Brush Creek Day Use Area (USFS operated) |
|
Open. Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
Traverse Creek Day Use Area (USFS operated) |
|
Open. Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
$8 overnight/ $3 day |
Open. Closes with snowfall. Bring water. |
Yes |
|
Donaldson Trailhead (USFS operated) |
|
Open. Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
East Slab Creek Reservoir Day Use Area (USFS operated) |
|
Open. Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
Long Canyon Camping Area (USFS operated) |
|
Closes with snowfall. |
Yes |
|
Rock Creek Trails Area |
|||
|
Bald Mountain OHV Staging Area |
None |
Closed until 48 hours of drying weather. |
Yes |
|
Balderston Staging Area |
None |
Closed until 48 hours of drying weather. |
Yes |
|
Mace Mill OHV Staging Area |
None |
Closed until 48 hours of drying weather. |
Yes |
|
Stumpy Meadows Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$175/75 person (reservation only) |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Stumpy Meadows Boatramp and Picnic Area (Concession operated) |
$28/camping on boatramp-RVs only |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$135/50 person (2) |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Hell Hole Area |
|||
|
(2 sites) (USFS operated) |
$25/25 person (1) |
Closed. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
$10/single |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(USFS operated) |
$10 |
Closed indefinitely due to 2021 winter blowdown of trees. |
Yes |
|
Hell Hole Boatramp Parking Areas (USFS operated) |
|
Snow. |
No |
|
Hell Hole Vista (USFS operated) |
|
Closed. |
No |
|
Upper Hell Hole walk/boat in (USFS operated) |
None |
Closed. |
Yes |
PACIFIC RANGER DISTRICT - Crystal Basin Area
| Facility Name | Fee | Status | Campfire Allowed? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crystal Basin Ice House Road Area |
|||
|
Cleveland Corral Information Station |
|
Closed. |
No |
|
Silver Creek Group (Concession operated) |
$130/40 person (reservation only) |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(private) |
|
9000 Ice House Rd Pollock Pines, CA 95726, (530) 293-3321 |
|
|
Big Hill Overlook (USFS operated) |
|
Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
Crystal Basin Information Station |
|
Closed. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
$65 (6 person max, reservation only) |
Access by permit. (year-round). The lower gate on the Robbs Hut Rd #13N31, is closed due to snow. 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) |
|
Snow. |
No |
|
Bassi Falls Trailhead & Millionaire Camping Area (USFS operated) |
|
Snow. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
$100 (reservation only) |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Ice House Reservoir Area |
|||
|
Ice House (Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Closed. 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 |
The boatramp is open for lake access/day use and for camping with self-contained vehicles only until it snows. No services. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
$10 |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(USFS operated) |
$10 |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Upper Silver Creek Day Use (USFS operated) |
|
Closed. |
No |
|
Union Valley Reservoir Area |
|||
|
(USFS operated) |
$10 |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
walk/bike/boat in (USFS operated) |
None |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Closed. See Facility Renovation page for renovation closure after Labor Day. 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) |
Closed after Labor Day for construction. See Facility Renovation page for renovation closure after Labor Day. |
Yes |
|
Sunset Group (Concession operated) |
Fee / 30 person site |
Closed. See Facility Renovation page for renovation closure after Labor Day. |
Yes |
|
Fashoda Tent (Concession operated) |
$28 (reservation only) |
Closed. See Facility Renovation page for renovation closure after Labor Day. |
Yes |
|
Fashoda Day Use (Concession operated) |
$10/picnic |
Closed. See Facility Renovation page for renovation closure after Labor Day. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$145/ 50 person |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Azalea Cove walk/bike/boat in (USFS operated) |
None |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28 |
Closed. Automated Fee Machine available at this location: Fees can be paid with credit/debit cards. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$160/ 50 person (2 sites) |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28 |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Yellowjacket Boatramp (Concession operated) |
$8/boatramp day use |
Closed. |
No |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Wolf Creek Groups (3) (Concession operated) |
$140/25 people (tent) (reservation only) |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(USFS operated) |
|
Closed for season. See Facility Renovation page for renovation closure. Forest order 03-23-06. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$25/single |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Westpoint Boatramp (Concession operated) |
$10/boatramp, day use |
Closes with snow. |
No |
|
Gerle Creek Area |
|||
|
Angel Creek (Concession operated) |
$10/day use |
Closed. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
None |
Closes with snowfall. |
Yes |
|
Gerle Creek (Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Closed.
|
Yes |
|
Gerle Creek (Concession operated) |
$10/picnic area |
Closed. |
No |
|
Loon Lake Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Closed. 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 |
Closed. |
No |
|
Loon Lake Undeveloped Boatramp (north shore) |
none |
Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
Loon Lake Trailhead |
$10/day use |
Closed. |
No |
|
Loon Lake Groups (3) (Concession operated) |
$160/50 person (Group#1) |
Closed. |
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 |
Closed.
|
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$125/25 person. (reservation only) |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Pleasant walk/bike/boat in (USFS operated) |
None |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(USFS operated) |
None |
Closes with snowfall. |
Yes |
|
Wrights Lake Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$25/single |
Closed. 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 |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Rockbound & Twin Lakes Trailheads (Concession operated) |
day use fee |
Closed. (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) |
|
Closes with snowfall. |
No |
| Facility Name | Fee | Status | Campfire Allowed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highway 50 Corridor Area | |||
|
East Slab Creek Day Use (USFS operated) |
|
Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
West Slab Creek Day Use (USFS operated) |
|
Closed. |
No |
|
Bridal Veil Picnic Area and Group camp (Concession operated) |
$10/day use (per vehicle) $105/30 person group, 7 vehicles |
Closed |
No |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Closed |
Yes |
|
Pony Express Corral Trailhead (USFS operated) |
|
Closes with snowfall. Note: the bridges were destroyed/damaged in the Caldor fire. |
No |
|
Lovers Leap (Concession operated) |
$28/camping |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Lovers Leap (Concession operated) |
$10/day use |
Closed. |
No |
|
Pyramid Trailhead (Concession operated) |
Facility added to Concession permit $10/day use parking fee |
Closed. -------------------------------------------- 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) |
|
Closes with snowfall. (Desolation Wilderness overnight permit required year-round) |
No |
|
Adventure Mountain Snowplay Area (Special Use Permit) |
|
Open. See website for activities. |
|
|
(Special Use Permit) |
|
Open. See website for activities. |
|
|
Sayles Canyon / Bryan Meadow Trailhead (USFS operated) |
|
Closes with snowfall. |
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 |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
China Flat Day Use Area (Concession operated) |
|
Closed. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
$105 (20 person max.) |
Closed. |
No |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Gray Rock Camping Area |
|
Closed. Caldor Fire damage. Forest Order 03-23-09. |
Yes |
|
Caples Creek Equestrian Trailhead (USFS operated) |
|
Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
Caples Creek Trailhead (USFS operated) |
|
Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
Sly Park Area |
|||
|
(EID) |
|
530-644-2545. www.eid.org. Open. |
n/a |
|
Fleming Meadow Trailhead |
None |
Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
(USFS operated) |
|
Open. Reservation only. |
No |
|
Cedar Park Trailhead (USFS operated) |
None |
Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
North South Road Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$165 group |
Closed due to Caldor Fire damage. Forest Order 03-23-09 |
Yes |
|
Capps Crossing Day Use Area (Concession operated) |
|
Closed due to Caldor Fire damage. Forest Order 03-23-09 |
No |
|
Elkins OHV Staging Area |
None |
Closed. Significant trail damage from fire. Forest Order 03-23-09 |
Yes |
AMADOR RANGER DISTRICT - Highway 88 Corridor
| Facility Name | Fee | Status | Campfire Allowed? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
North South Road Area |
|||
|
Gold Note OHV Staging Area |
None |
Seasonal Winter Closure for dirt roads in effect. |
Yes |
|
Pipi (Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Pipi (Concession operated) |
$10/day use |
Closed. 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 Closed. |
|
|
Highway 88 Corridor |
|||
|
Lumberyard Picnic Area (USFS operated) |
None |
Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
Shot Rock Vista Day Use Area (USFS operated) |
None |
Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
Middle Fork Cosumnes and Annex (Concession operated) |
$25/single |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Iron Mountain Parking Area / Sno-Park (USFS operated) |
|
Open. |
No |
|
Martin Meadow Campground (USFS operated) |
None |
Closed. Caldor fire damage. Forest Order 03-23-09 |
Yes |
|
Shealor Lake Trailhead (USFS operated) |
None |
Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
Silver Lake Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(EID) |
$30 |
www.eid.org/recreation/silver-lake Please contact 530-295-6810 for updates. |
|
|
Allen Camp Trailhead (USFS operated) |
None |
Closes with snowfall. |
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. |
|
|
$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 |
Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
Thunder Mountain Trailhead (USFS operated) |
None |
Closes with snowfall |
No |
|
Mud Lake OHV Trailhead |
None |
Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
(Private) |
|
www.kitcarsonlodge.com. 209-258-8500. Call resort for information and reservations for rentals. |
|
|
Kirkwood Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single
|
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(Private) |
|
www.kirkwood.com. (209) 258-6000. Open. |
|
|
Margaret Lake Trailhead (USFS operated) |
None |
Closes with snowfall. Caution: crews are working on the trail falling hazard trees and repairing sections of the trail over the next few weeks. |
No |
|
Caples Lake Area |
|||
|
Caples Dam Trailhead (USFS operated) |
None |
Closed.
Trail goes into Mokelumne Wilderness to Emigrant Lake. |
No |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(Private) |
|
Call resort for status, information and reservations. 209-258-8888. |
|
|
Caples Lake Dam Boatramp (EID) |
fee |
Closed. |
No |
|
Woods Lake & Carson Pass Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single Facilities added to Concession permit. Woods Day Use & Picnic Area |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
Woods Creek Day Use |
|
Closed. |
No |
|
Woods Lake Trailhead (Concession operated) |
$10/day use |
Closed. |
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 |
|
Closed. |
No |
|
Carson Pass 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 |
|
Bear River Reservoir Area |
|||
|
(Concession operated) |
$25/single |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(Private) |
|
Check with Resort for status. bearrivercampground.com |
|
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Closed. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$28/single |
Closed. Automated Fee Machine available at this location: Fees can be paid with credit/debit cards. |
Yes |
|
(Concession operated) |
$115/25 person (3) |
Closed. (Available by reservation only (summer). |
Yes |
|
Cole Creek Camping area |
|
Closes with snowfall. This is not a developed camping area. |
Yes |
|
Salt Springs Area (Access through Panther Creek roads is closed due to Storm Damage. Forest Order 03-17-09) |
|||
|
Salt Springs Trailhead (PGE Operated) |
|
Closes with snowfall. |
No |
|
(Concession operated) |
$25/single & double |
Closed. |
|
|
(Concession operated) |
$25/single |
Closed. |
|
Alerts & Warnings
- Ice House Road Construction 2024
- Blue Hole Trail Closed - Salt Springs Reservoir
- East Zone Temporary Trail Closure - Rock Creek
- Rock Creek Trails Wet Weather Closure Process
- Rock Creek Snow Zone Trail Closure Process
- Mormon Emigrant Trail Winter Vehicle Use Closure
- Silver Bear Snowmobile Trail Wheeled Vehicle Closure
- Rock Creek Seasonal Closure for Critical Deer Winter Range
- Mokelumne Wilderness Year-Round Fire Restrictions