South Fork Group Campground

California's Best Camping

South Fork Group Campground, >Eldorado National Forest, CA
South Fork Group Campground, >Eldorado National Forest, CA

South Fork Group Campground

Eldorado National Forest


South Fork Group Campground

South Fork Group Campground has room for up to 125 people at its remote site between Union Valley Reservoir and Loon Lake in the Crystal Basin area of the Eldorado National Forest. Nearby Gerle Creek Reservoir is a wonderful place for non-motorized boating, swimming, and fishing.

A central cooking area at South Fork Group Campground is provided with food preparation tables and double grills. At each of 25 camping areas that make up the group site are campfire rings and grills. The campground has no potable water, so campers are advised to filter or boil stream water. The combination to the gate lock for the campground is given after reservations are made.

Camping areas #1-3 and 6-25 are designated as accessible sites. If no members of your group are disabled, then you are asked to refrain from using the sites unless all other sites are filled.

Reach South Fork Group Campground by driving 23 miles on Ice House Road and then turning left on Forest Road 13N28 for ½ mile.

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South Fork Group Campground Basics
South Fork Group Campground Location: 23 miles north on Ice House Road off Highway 40, then ½ mile on Forest Road 13N28
Elevation: 5,200 feet
Miles/Driving time: Sacramento - 89 miles, 1:55
Campground Open: Late May through early October
Number of Sites: 1
Max. People per Site: 125
Vehicles per Site: 20
Pets: On leash, always attended
Operated by Eldorado National Forest
Placerville Ranger District: (530) 644-2324

Reservations at South Fork Group Campground
Reservations required whenever campground is open
Booking Window: Reservations taken from 4 days up to 12 months in advance of arrival.
Maximum Vehicle Length: 50 feet
Accessible Sites: #1-3 and 6-25
Fees: $100 per night
reservations: South Fork Group Campground Reservations
Check-in, check-out: 2:00 PM, 1:00 PM

South Fork Group Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic tables, fire ring
Campground: Vault toilets, no potable water
Showers: No
Dump Station: No
Campground Map: South Fork Group Campground Map
Attractions near South Fork Group Campground:
  • Visit Gerle Reservoir with non-motorized boating, swimming, and fishing.
  • Drive up to Loon Lake with launch ramp, boating, fishing, and swimming.
  • Try Union Valley Reservoir with boating, fishing, swimming.
  • Hike into the Desolation Wilderness or follow equestrian trails in the Van Vleck area.




General Camping Information

When making reservations be sure that your vehicle will fit in the space indicated on the reservations website.
Information is available at the Crystal Information Station east of Union Valley Reservoir on Ice House Road during the summer.
Horses and motor vehicles are not permitted on the bike trails at Union Valley Reservoir. Horses are permitted on the Ice House Reservoir bike trail.
For campground purposes, a vehicle is any equipment that is required to be licensed/registered. This includes RVs, trailers, cars/trucks, boat/car trailer, motorcycle/atv, etc. Vehicles parked in a truck or on a trailer are not counted separately.



South Fork Group Campground, Eldorado National Forest, CA

South Fork Group Campground

Eldorado National Forest Attractions

Visitors to South Fork Group Campground in the Eldorado National Forest find some wonderful outdoor adventures nearby.

  • Launch your boat into Loon Lake for scenic cruising and good fishing.
  • Try fishing in all the lakes and streams in the Crystal Basin.
  • Enjoy boating and water skiing on Crystal Basin lakes.
  • Set out on a hike into the Desolation Wilderness.
  • Take in the scenery of waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, and rushing mountain streams.
  • Try mountain biking along the network of logging roads.
  • Take advantage of the bike trail around Union Valley Reservoir.

Places to Visit

  • Visit historic Placerville and tour Gold Rush era buildings.
  • Explore the Crystal Basin, including stunningly beautiful Wrights Lake.
  • Drive up Highway 50 to Strawberry and Lovers' Leap rock.
  • Visit ski resorts and snow play areas along with cross country ski trails
  • Spend the day high on Echo Summit at Echo Lakes.

Key South Fork Group Campground Regulations

  1. Keep the gate closed so visitors don't wander in. Gate combination will be issued when reservations are finalized.
  2. To avoid problems with bears. please store all foods, soap, and garbage in bear boxes.
  3. Keep dogs on leash and attended at all times.
  4. Fires are only permitted in provided fire rings.

Check Eldorado National Forest - South Fork Campground for any campground updates.