Eldorado National Forest

Dispersed Camping 

Dispersed camping is generally allowed as long as you camp 100 feet away from water sources and outside the boundary markings of developed campgrounds. 

Camping is not allowed at Echo, Caples, Kirkwood, Silver, Woods, Wrights, and Ice House Reservoir Lakes, as well as at Gerle Creek and Stumpy Meadows Reservoirs.  

You are able to camp in the same district for up to 10 days per calendar year. Group size is limited to 12 people and 12 stock in the Desolation Wilderness, 12 people for day use, 8 people overnight, and 12 stock in the Mokelumne Wilderness.

Desolation Wilderness

Within 500 feet of Eagle, Grouse, and Hemlock lakes, and the north and east side of Lake of the Woods, camping is only allowed at designated first‐come, first‐served sites that are marked with a brown post bearing a tent symbol. Set up your camp within 30 feet from the post. Rules and regulations for the Desolation Wilderness can be found in this document.

Carson Pass Management Area

You may camp only at designated sites at Winnemucca (3 sites), Round Top (5 sites), and Fourth of July Lakes (6 sites). Camping is prohibited within ¼ mile from Frog Lake and 300 feet from Emigrant Lake. When the ground is covered with snow (at least one foot), you are allowed to camp on any durable surface, however, minimum distances from watersheds remain in effect. 

You may camp for two consecutive nights at Round Top and Winnemucca Lakes and for three consecutive nights at the Fourth of July Lakes during the period between the Friday before Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend. Please visit the CPMA page for more information.

Check this small brochure written by the Forest Service for more information about dispersed camping in the Eldorado NF.

Campground Camping

Eldorado National Forest offers plenty of developed campgrounds to choose from. Almost all of them operate seasonally, except Dru Barner, which is open year-round.

Reservations are available in advance for some campgrounds and can be made online or by calling 1-877-444-6777. First-come, first-served sites are available as well.

There is a limit of 6 people and 2 vehicles for single-family sites and 12 people and 4 vehicles for double sites. A 14-day limitation is in effect.

Site fees vary based on location and are subject to change. Extra fees are charged at some campgrounds for each additional vehicle, pets, and use of some amenities.

Visitors need to check-in at 2:00 p.m. and check-out by 1:00 p.m.

Choose your campground from this list to find all the necessary information.

Don’t forget about Leave No Trace principles, and please follow the area’s rules and regulations.

California Campfire Permits are required for building a fire or using a camp stove anywhere they are allowed in California. The permits are free and valid until December 31st, the year the permit is issued. They may be obtained at the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection offices or online. 

Campfires are generally allowed in the forest, with some restrictions in different areas:

• It is not permitted to build campfires in the Desolation Wilderness. You are allowed to use gas stoves.
• In the Mokelumne Wilderness campfires are prohibited above 8,000 feet, at the Carson Pass Management Area and at North Fork Mokelumne River Canyon along Salt Springs Reservoir and the Blue Hole Trail. Gas stoves are permitted throughout the whole wilderness area.

Collect only downed, dead wood from the area for your fires. To reduce fire scarring, the use of existing fire rings is strongly recommended.

In an effort to reduce forest fires during dry spells, fire restrictions may go into effect, so make sure to check on current conditions before your trip. Even if you have a campfire permit, you are not allowed to build campfires when restrictions apply.

Eldorado National Forest packs in a variety of vegetative scenery that includes mixed stands of conifers and hardwoods, as well as chaparral and oak woodlands. Hikers will pass through areas of Douglas-fir, ponderosa, lodgepole, Jeffrey, and sugar pines, incense cedar, white and red fir. 

Coyotes, badgers, wolverines, pine martens, bobcats, mule deer, and black bears are great examples of local wildlife. Rainbow and brook trout lurk in the clear lakes, rivers, and streams, attracting anglers.

• Please, don’t attempt to touch or feed wildlife in an effort to prevent accidents. Your actions can also put the animals in danger, so keep a safe distance.
• If you see a black bear, stop, stay calm, and back away. Do not turn your back or run away. You need to look large and scary - stand tall, raise your arms, and make noise! Avoid sudden movements and screaming. If the animal attacks you - fight back.
• Poison oak is common in the area, so be prepared to identify it and avoid it at all cost. If you do come into contact with it, wash your hands, skin, and clothing immediately with mild soap to prevent a rash.
• Ticks can be a problem during the hike, so appropriate clothing is essential and daily tick checks are highly encouraged. They are especially active during the spring and summer.
• This is also western rattlesnake country, so extra caution should be exercised in warmer months. Watch where you place your hands and feet!
• The area is prone to storms, so there is a danger of lightning strikes and flash floods. Move into a shelter (ideally a vehicle or fully enclosed building) as soon as you hear the thunder! Be sure to bring rain gear and check weather conditions as you plan your trip.
• For more information on potential hazards in the Eldorado National Forest, please visit their safety page.

Forest Supervisor's Office

Address: 100 Forni Road

Placerville, CA 95667

United States

Phone: 530 303-2412

Operating hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Monday - Friday, year-round

Placerville Ranger District

Address: 4260 Eight Mile Road

United States

Camino, CA 95709

Phone: 916 500-4712

Operating hours: 

• Summer

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Monday - Saturday

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

Sunday  

• Winter

Monday - Friday

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Georgetown Ranger District

Address: 7600 Wentworth Springs Road

Georgetown, CA 95634

United States

Phone: 530 334-6477

Operating hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• Summer

Monday - Saturday

• Winter

Monday - Friday

Amador Ranger District

Address: 26820 Silver Drive

Pioneer, CA 95666

United States

Phone: 209 259-3774

Operating hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• Summer

Monday - Friday

• Winter 

Monday - Friday

Pacific Ranger District

Address: 7887 Highway 50

Pollock Pines, CA 95726-9602

United States

Phone: 916 500-4712

Operating hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Monday - Friday, year-round

Business office only.

Visitor Services are at Placerville RD.

Lake Tahoe Visitor's Center

Address: Visitor Center Road, CA-89 N

South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 

United States

Phone: 530 543-2674 

Operating hours:  8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Open summer only.

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU)

Address: 35 College Dr 

South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

United States

Phone: 530 543-2600 

Operating hours:  8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.