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Finnon Lake Recreation Area

95%

· Placerville, El Dorado, California

140 acres hosted by Finnon L.

11 RV/tent sites · 7 tent sites

Best in California: 1st place

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.

Best all-around: 3rd place

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

Family-friendly

Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.

ALL RV VEHICLES AND VEHICLES WITH TRAILERS MUST TAKE ROCK CREEK RD. (Even if your GPS says to use Mosquito Road). These vehicles will not fit and can not cross over the single-lane suspension Mosquito Bridge. These vehicles and trailers will be forced to turn around or back up to take Rock Creek Road. Use caution - twisty narrow country road. If it's your first time you might want to check out the route ahead of time. 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/Diner on the Left. The campground is behind the Diner. The DINER "Smoke on the Water" is open only Saturday- Sunday. 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 and Fire Station. 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, "Smoke on the Water" Diner. Open on weekends only. 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. Sites are from post to post. 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. Diner: https://www.facebook.com/smokeonthewaterplacervilleca 530-622-1060. The diner is only open Saturday and Sunday. NO FIREWORKS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED. Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle.

Activities

Biking

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Natural features

Beach

Cave

Forest

Lake

95%

2020 ratings · 1200 reviews

Cemil B.recommends

October 29, 2024

B8 - Lake View

The place and the location is extra ordinary. Toilets are clean and well taken care of. However, we arrived in the middle of the night spent a lot of time to find our spot as this was our first time. I believe signs of the areas could be lighten up, at least a little. Other than that, definitely 5 starts, and that bridge detail is also terrific.

Chant D.

October 29, 2024

T14 - Lakefront Haven

Nice place to camping

No shower. I would like to take shower and to get the water it was to far..

Shaun K.recommends

October 28, 2024

T5 - Waterfront at Finnon Point

Very nice fishing lake tucked in the mountains of Placerville. It’s a little crazy getting here, as the easier of the two ways to get here is currently closed. Tons of shade, serenity, and star filled nights… Gets cold at night so act accordingly!

Heather H.recommends

October 27, 2024

A7 - Waterfront

The site was beautiful and super clean. One of my favorite campsites I’ve been too. We are already planning a trip to come back!

Phiroze D.recommends

October 24, 2024

T14 - Lakefront Haven

Great retreat

Very nice campground! Clean restrooms, sell maintained camp area, beautiful lake with clear water. I went on 3 weekdays and there was only one other camper there, but weekends apparently get crowded. Site T14 is more private than some others since it's at one end of the group. Most sites slope towards the lake edge, so tent placement is a bit tricky. Drive the Rock Creek Road carefully -- there's lots of city slickers pretending to be race drivers. Heartily recommended.

J Q.recommends

October 23, 2024

A13 - Waterfront

A13 is a beautiful and peaceful campsite, tucked away on the left side of the lake, offering plenty of privacy and tranquility. When we visited, there were only a couple of other campers, which made it feel like we had the whole area to ourselves. The lake, though a bit chilly, was refreshing in the summer sun, and even my 2 year old enjoyed it. The restrooms were impressively clean, and the overall surroundings were stunning, making it one of the most picturesque places we’ve ever camped. However, the site itself had some drawbacks. The spot was quite uneven, making it hard to find a flat surface for our tents. There was also little separation between neighbors, which could be a downside if the campground is busier. The road to get there was a bit challenging, especially if you take Mosquito Road, which we’d recommend skipping. Take the longer route instead—it’s worth it to avoid the narrow bridge and fully enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

Location

Placerville, El Dorado, California, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla and Nisenan First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking