1 / 100

Finnon Lake Recreation Area

95%

· Placerville, El Dorado, California

140 acres hosted by Finnon L.

10 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.

Staff verified

Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.

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 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%

1961 ratings · 1162 reviews

Tina S.recommends

August 23, 2024

T19 - Lakeside Bluff

We had a great time, nice clean place. Stayed only one night. Water was warm in the lake, a little muddy. Lots of fish.

Marissa Leora S.recommends

August 20, 2024

B6 - Lake View

Best lake around!

Love this place so much!! Hosts are awesome!! Lake is beautiful and the campsites are nice. My favorite lake to camp at.

William C.recommends

August 20, 2024

A15 - Fallen Oak Flat

The camp ground was honestly amazing! Good amount of space, right along the lake, and a stunning view. Wonderful experience overall

Jose G.recommends

August 12, 2024

A2 - Lakeside

The campsites are great and clean. Swimming in the reservoir is definitely a bonus. Everything was wonderful until we had to leave cause of the fire nearby

Elmasa M.recommends

August 10, 2024

T14 - Lakefront Haven

Quite place very relaxing, didn’t like too many bees. They don’t let you eat your food in peace. Also the water in the lake is not to clean so very difficult to enjoy swimming.

Tina C.

August 9, 2024

A9 - Waterfront

Cut short because of fire

The site and campground were exactly as described - lakefront, clean restrooms, peaceful, and we found the campsite to be quite level. Unfortunately, after setting up camp and having dinner, our kids went for a swim and saw smoke from a fire. Though the evacuation order didn't come until the next morning, based on the number of engines we saw come in, the amount of visible smoke, and knowing there was only one road out (the other was under construction), we weren't going to get any sleep worrying, so we packed up and left. Because of the evacuation order, Hipcamp automatically refunded us for the second night. Conclusion: seemed like it was going to be awesome, but couldn't tell you because of having to leave.

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