Loon Lake Campground
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
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.
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.
20 Reviews
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.
Lots of campsites. Can be noisy during the busy season. The lake is very pretty
Gorgeous!
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.
Book it a week or two in advance
- 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)