Loon Lake, Crystal Basin, Eldorado National Forest, California

Loon Lake Area Camping

Eldorado National Forest

Mileages From Sacramento

  • Placerville - 44 miles
  • Crystal Basin - 82 miles
  • Wrights Lake - 87 miles
  • Twin Bridges - 85 miles
  • Echo Summit - 92 miles
  • S. Lake Tahoe - 103 miles




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Loon Lake Area Campgrounds

Loon Lake campgrounds are at about 6,400 feet in elevation and are usually open from mid-June through mid-October. Single sites are limited to 1 vehicle and 6 people. An extra vehicle is allowed for an additional fee if parking space permits. Trailers are counted as vehicles. Campgrounds at Loon Lake include family-size campsites, group camps, and equestrian sites.

Popular activities at Loon Lake are boating, hiking, fishing, and swimming. A boat launch ramp is available. The Forest Service cautions that there are bears in the area and food, soaps, and garbage should be stored in bear-proof containers.

photo of Loon Lake, Crystal Basin, California

map of Loon Lake campgrounds, El Dorado National Forest, CA

Loon Lake Campground

Loon Lake, Crystal Basin, CA

Located at the south shore of Loon Lake, 23 miles north of Highway 50 on Ice House Road. The campground is at 6,500 feet and is usually open from mid-June to mid-October.

Campground Amenities

  • 53 campsites for tents and RVs,, vault toilets, piped water, dump station
  • Picnic tables, grills, fire rings, bear boxes

Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Loon Lake Campground
Fees: $28

Loon Lake Boatramp Camping

Located at the south shore of Loon Lake, 23 miles north of Highway 50 on Ice House Road. The campground is at 6,500 feet and is usually open from mid-June to mid-October. This is an RV only area, a designated portion of the boat ramp parking lot.

Campground Amenities

  • 15 parking slots for RVs, vault toilets, piped water, dump station
  • No picnic tables, hook-ups, or fire rings

Reservations: None
Fees: $22

Loon Lake Equestrian Campground

Located as part of Loon Lake Campground at the south shore of Loon Lake, 23 miles north of Highway 50 on Ice House Road. The campground is at 6,500 feet and is usually open from mid-June to mid-October.

Campground Amenities

  • 9 campsites for tents and RVs, vault toilets, piped water, dump station
  • Picnic tables, grills, fire rings, bear boxes
  • Horseback riding to the Van Vleck area

Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Loon Lake Campground
Fees: $28

Loon Lake Group Campground and
Group Equestrian Campground

Located as part of Loon Lake Campground at the south shore of Loon Lake, 23 miles north of Highway 50 on Ice House Road. The campground is at 6,500 feet and is usually open from mid-June to mid-October.

Campground Amenities

  • 3 Group Sites: #1 walk-in tent sites for up to 50 campers, #2 tent or RV site for up to 35 campers, #3 Equestrian site for tent or RVs and up to 25 campers
  • vault toilets, piped water, dump station
  • Picnic tables, grills, fire rings
  • Horseback riding to the Van Vleck area

Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Loon Lake Campground
Fees: Campsites #1 or #2 $135, campsite #3 $160

Northshore Campground

Northshore campground, Loon Lake, Crystal Basin, California

Located on the northwest shore of Loon Lake, 31 miles north of Highway 50 on Ice House Road. The campground is at 6,200 feet and is usually open from mid-June to mid-October.

Campground Amenities

  • 15 campsites for tents or RVs, vault toilets, no piped water
  • Picnic tables, grills, fire rings
  • Near Rubicon OHV Trail

Reservations: None
Fees: $10

Pleasant Boat-In Campground

Located on the northeast shore of Loon Lake, 29 miles north of Highway 50 on Ice House Road and 3 miles by boat across Loon lake. The campground is also accessible by trail. The campground is at 6,400 feet and is usually open from mid-June to mid-October.

Campground Amenities

  • 10 campsites for tents, composting toilets, no piped water
  • Picnic tables, grills, fire rings

Reservations: None
Fees: None

Red Fir Group Campground

Red Fir campground, Loon Lake, Crystal Basin, California

Located on the northwest shore of Loon Lake, 31 miles north of Highway 50 on Ice House Road. The campground is at 6,400 feet and is usually open from mid-June to early September.

Campground Amenities

  • 1 group site for tents only (up to 25 people), vault toilets, piped water
  • Picnic tables, group grills, fire rings
  • Near Rubicon OHV Trail

Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Red Fir Group Campground
Fees: $125

Campgrounds Near Loon Lake

Wentworth Springs Campground

Located near Loon Lake, 24 miles north of Highway 50 on Ice House Road and another 6.5 miles on Forest Roads. 4-wheel drive vehicles recommended because of rough access road. 2-wheel drive with high clearance can make it. The campground is at 6,200 feet and is usually open from mid-June to mid-October.

Campground Amenities

  • 8 campsites for tents only, vault toilets, no piped water
  • Picnic tables, grills, fire rings
  • 1.2 miles by trail to Loon Lake

Reservations: None
Fees: None

South Fork Group Campground

Located 23 miles from Highway 50 on Ice House Road, at 5,200 feet on the South Fork of the Rubicon River. The campground is usually open from mid-June to early November.

Campground Amenities

  • 1 group up to 125 campers, vault toilets, no piped water
  • Picnic tables, fire rings, grills

Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - South Fork Group Campground
Fees: $100

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