Wrights Lake, Crystal Basin, Eldorado National Forest, California

Wrights Lake 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




High Sierra Trails

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Wrights Lake Camping

Wrights Lake is 22 miles from Highway 50 via the best roads. A shorter, 8-mile route is possible on Wrights Lake Road (Forest Road 4), but it has many tight turns not recommended for trailers or long vehicles. Campgrounds are at 7,000 feet elevation and are usually open from late June to mid-October. The 65-acre lake is less than a mile long. Cabins line the northern and eastern shores.

Wrights Lake is a trailhead for hikes or horseback rides into the nearby Desolation Wilderness. Wilderness permits are required even for day hikes. The Barrett Lake Jeep Trail begins at Wrights Lake. Only non-motorized boats are allowed on the lake. Even electric motors are prohibited. Although there is no launch ramp, a canoe dock is located near the campground. Fishing is very good for rainbow trout.

Wrights Lake, Crystal Basin, California

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

Wrights Lake Campground

Wrights Lake Campground is located on the west and south shores of the lake, 22 miles off Highway 50 via Ice House Road, Wrights Lake Tie Road, and Wrights Lake Road. Campsites 1-19 on the west shore are for tents only. Those on the south shore are for RVs, trailers, and tents.

Campground Amenities

  • 67 campsites for tents and RVs, vault toilets, piped water
  • Picnic tables, grills, fire rings, sites #1-19 have bear boxes
  • Amphitheater, hand boat launch ramp, group potluck site

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

Wrights Lake Equestrian Campground

Wrights Lake Campground is located on the south shore of the lake, 22 miles off Highway 50 via Ice House Road, Wrights Lake Tie Road, and Wrights Lake Road. Equestrian sites are limited to 4 vehicles (including horse trailers) and 6 people per site. Additional vehicles are allowed for an extra fee if space permits.

Campground Amenities

  • 15 campsites for tents and RVs, vault toilets, piped water
  • Fire rings
  • Hand boat launch ramp nearby

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

Bloodsucker Trail , a popular riding trail, leads south from the equestrian campground. After 1 mile it connects with Bloodsucker Lake Trail, a 1 mile side trip with a moderate grade. Continuing south, the main trail climbs 500 feet to a ridge and then drops quickly to Lyons Creek.