Finnon Lake Recreation Area

95%

1211 reviews

· 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.

OPEN April 1st - 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. Smoke on the Water diner is open weekends 530-622-1060. Hours are limited. Use caution - twisty, narrow country road If it's your first time, you might want to check out the route beforehand. 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 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 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. Community volunteers manage the lake for the residents and the 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, which is open on weekends only 530-622-1060. During your stay, you can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, paddling, hiking, or biking. Sites are from post to post. Our property is located in Placerville, California.

Activities

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Reviews

95% Recommend2042 ratings · 1211 reviews

Katherine R.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· April 2025

Tent · With kids ·

B4 - Lake View

Great! The bathrooms were clean, the lake was lovely and the little restaurant was very tasty!

Rex B.

2 reviews

Mixed feelings

· April 2025

Scenic Spot with activities for all

Tent · Group trip ·

T19 - Lakeside Bluff

Beautiful site by the lake with a spacious area and a great spot to launch our SUPs. The only challenge was that the land is on an incline, making it a bit tricky to level our van. While we couldn’t get it perfectly level, we made it work. Finnon Lake Campground, overall, was a pleasant experience. The bathrooms were clean, though there were no showers—not an issue for us since our van is equipped with full bathroom facilities. We enjoyed hiking and biking around the lake, and the calm, safe waters were perfect for paddleboarding with our kids. A highlight of our visit was learning about an eagle’s nest nearby. We were lucky enough to spot the eagle during our hike, which was truly memorable. This campground is a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts looking for serene water activities and scenic trails.

Theresa C.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· April 2025

Lake front view tent camping

Tent · With kids ·

A13 - Waterfront

We had a great time at Finnon Lake. With a lake front view and a starry night sky it could not have been any better.

Brendi A.

5 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· November 2024

17 ft travel trailer ·

A3 - Lakefront

Beautiful lake very clean but what we really did enjoy was the restaurant the breakfast the lunch the dinner, It was fabulous.

Christopher C.

4 reviews

Recommends

· November 2024

T5 - Waterfront at Finnon Point

Great trip. Saw a bald eagle and went to a great hike.

Lindsay K.

4 years on Hipcamp

Not recommend

· November 2024

Beautiful but overused

T14 - Lakefront Haven

Alright, I originally camped at Finnon before Hipcamp. It was nicer before. There used to be grass, as opposed to dust and dirt. And this was even later in the season. It’s still a gentle and pretty spot early or late in the season.

Location

Placerville, El Dorado, California, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla and Nisenan First Nations according to

Native Land Digital.

To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking