Echo Summit & Crystal Basin Campgrounds
By far the majority of campgrounds along the Highway 50 corridor are in Crystal Basin, several miles north of the highway. Crystal Basin offers a variety of campgrounds from traditional family sites to specialty camps. Among them are equestrain campgrounds and group camps.
Outside Crystal Basin other campgrounds are found at Sly Park, scattered along Highway 50 and up the Silver Fork, south of Kyburz.
Index of Campgrounds
Sly Park Camping (Jenkinson Lake)
Sly Park Campgrounds, Sly Park Resort, Capps Crossing Group Campground
Union Valley Reservoir Camping
Azalea Campground, Big Silver Group Campground, Camino Cove Campground, Fashoda Campground, Jones Fork Campground, Lone Rock Campground, Sunset Campground, Wench Creek Campground, Westpoint Campground, Wolf Creek Campground, Wolf Creek Group Campground, Yellowjacket Campground
Ice House Reservoir Camping
Icehouse Campground, Northwind Campground, Strawberry Point Campground, Silver Creek Group Campground
Wrights Lake Camping
Wrights Lake Campground, Wrights Lake Equestrian Camp
Loon Lake Camping
Loon Lake Campground, Loon Lake Boatramp RV Campground, Loon Lake Equestrian Campground, Loon Lake Group Camps, Northshore Campground, Pleasant Boat-In Campground, Red Fir Group Campground, Wentworth Campground, Southfork Group Campground
Gerle Reservoir Camping
Gerle Creek Campground, Airport Campground, Southfork Group Campground
Kyburz - Strawberry Camping
China Flat Campground, Lovers Leap Campground, Sand Flat Campground, Silver Fork Campground
Upper Truckee Falls
Crystal Basin - Highway 50 - Echo Summit Campground Informations
Sly Park Camping
Sly Park is located about 5 miles south of Pollock Pines off Highway 50. The main attraction of the area is Jenkinson Lake. Both the lake and the campground are operated by the Eldorado Irrigation District (EID). The lake is open year-round for both day use and camping. Nearby Sly Park Resort has RV camping.
Union Valley Reservoir Camping
A dozen campgrounds are scattered around the shores of Union Valley Reservoir in the Crystal Basin. Launch ramps are available. Many of the campsites can be reserved. The reservoir is a popular place for water skiing, fishing, swimming, and hiking.
Ice House Reservoir Camping
Ice House Reservoir in the Crystal Basin has several campgrounds on its shores. The campgrounds are usually open from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October. The reservoir is expecially popular for fishing.
Wrights Lake Camping
Little Wrights Lake is a nice place to camp away from the bustle of the larger lakes. Besides a regular campground there is also an equestrian campground. The lake makes a good jumping off point for hikes into Desolation Wilderness. Motorized boats are not permitted on the lake, making the area a quiet retreat for campers, anglers, and kayakers. Some distance away, Barrett Lake Jeep Trail draws OHV enthusiasts.
Loon Lake Camping
Loon Lake is a full 20 miles from Highway 50 in the Crystal Basin. Several campgrounds are located around the lake, including a Boat-in camping area. There are also group campgrounds and an equestrian campground. Staging areas on the north side of lake for the famous Rubicon Trail draw many 4-wheelers in the summer.
Gerle Reservoir Camping
Remote Gerle Reservoir is a quiet place for family camping. There are a couple of nature trails. Only non-motorized boats are allowed on the lake. Gerle Creek Campground is located along the creek just north of the lake. Airport Flat Campground is nearby.
Kyburz - Strawberry Area Camping
This area includes the American River Canyon along Highway 50 near Kyburz and Strawberry, along with the Silver Fork of the American River. Campgrounds have good access to fishing along the river and to hiking in places such as Lovers Leap and Horsetail Falls.
California's Best Camping
