Big Meadows Campground

Biking

The area surrounding Lake Tahoe offers plenty of biking opportunities. There aren’t too many trails around Eldorado specifically, but you can find some reviews and information on The Mountain Project . We recommend the El Dorado trail , a 30+ mile singletrack along an old historic railroad.

Boating

If you’re looking to wake up and get out on the water, you’re in luck. Many of the campgrounds are located along lakes and reservoirs for all you boat fiends who can’t wait to fish, paddle, or waterski with the sunrise (not sure if you can do motorized boating THAT early without annoying everyone around you). Definitely check out Loon Lake , a beautiful high-country lake with plenty of campsites and a boat ramp!

Fishing

Aside from the 11 reservoirs and lakes, there are hundreds of lakes in the wilderness areas that will answer all of your fishing wishes. Brook trout reproduce naturally in the backcountry, so these reservoirs and streams are stocked with trout. If you’re looking for a list of campgrounds where you can fish, you’ve come to the right place: lakes and ponds and rivers and streams . The Hell Hole Reservoir offers some of the best fishing around, with plenty of rainbow trout and kokanee salmon during the summer and fall. Wrights Lake is also a solid choice with year-round fishing and scenic views. You can find river fishing recommendations, nearby fishing supply companies, and a neat map here .

Hiking

With over 350 miles of hiking trails, you can walk along the foothills or trek through the Sierras and you’ll see stunning views. You can set out on trails like the renowned Pacific Crest Trail, see the beautiful Lake Margaret, or hike out to the breathtaking Horsetail Falls. You can’t go wrong here; check it out on All Trails .

Horseback riding

Hay horse friends, hit the trail! There are some pretty cool trails , like the Horse Canyon trail, the Emigrant Lake trail, and the Fleming trail. Atop your horse pal, you’ll want to stop at every lake, waterfall, and meadow, not to mention take in the incredible views, should you choose to head up to the mountains (we recommend it, since your legs won’t be sore).

Paddling

Wilderness areas only allow non-motorized boating, which means kayakers, canoers, and paddlers of all kinds, should head over to the beauties that are Desolation and Mokelumne Wilderness areas. Kayakers can try the streams and rivers, as well as paddle through the reservoirs and lakes.

Wind sports

Union Valley Reservoir seems to be the only place that allows kiteboarding and windsurfing, but you should ask a ranger, if this isn’t the destination you had in mind! There are a handful of campgrounds, including Wench Creek, Yellowjacket, and Sunset, that you can stay at if you’re planning on coming here to kiteboard/windsurf.

Off-roading (OHV)

Popular OHV routes are Elkins Flat , a whopping 69 mile trail perfect for motorcycles, and Gold Note , a 30 mile route great for both motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles; the two are linked. Of course, the legendary king of OHV, Rubicon Trail, is well worth checking out.

Climbing

Do you love rock climbing? Then head to Lover’s Leap, a granite formation, perfect for climbing and bouldering. At almost 600 feet of solid vertical granite, there are tons of cracks and dikes to make this a pretty doable climb. However, this is a hot spot, so be warned that there will probably be crowds, so try a different route if you’re confident in climbing! There’s a list of routes on Mountain Project .

Snow sports

Your recreation opportunities continue into the winter, with skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tubing, xc skiing and snowshoeing available. There are two ski operations that offer equipment rentals, Sierra at Tahoe and Kirkwood , located within the forest. You can also head to Loon Lake Chalet for xc skiing and snowshoeing, with miles of ungroomed backcountry trails.

Swimming

Water lovers should stay at these campgrounds if they’re looking to get some good swimming in. Reservoirs, lakes, and the sort generally allow swimming, and many of the stunning waterfalls offer some sweet swimming holes. In fact, there’s a secret swimming hole by Wrights Lake...

Whitewater paddling

One of the most popular whitewater trips is the south fork of the American River, which runs through Eldorado National Forest. It’s pretty wild, but still great for those of all experience levels. Many companies offer guided trips, so be sure to check those out!

Wildlife watching

There are almost 350 different species living in here… Holy cow! Common Sierra dwellers like mule deer, mountain lions, bears, bobcats, raccoons, marmots, squirrels, and gophers call this forest home, as well as the rare bald eagles and peregrine falcons. Birders will find quails, doves, wild turkeys, great horned owls, red tailed hawks, golden eagles, and hundreds of different songbirds. Wherever you’ll go, you’ll be sure to spot some wildlife critters!