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Closure Information

The Eldorado National Forest will be re-opening some recreation opportunities on the forest as of Saturday, September 19, at 8:00 a.m. when the Regional Emergency Forest Closure Order 20-13 is rescinded for nine forests, including the Eldorado, due to the moderation in fire weather. Each forest is implementing their own forest specific Forest Order to address the continuing fire danger and recreation concerns. The Eldorado is limiting camping to developed campgrounds. In addition, the Eldorado has implemented an emergency fire closure area for the Fork Fire, this includes many facilities within the Crystal Basin Recreation Area.The key points that forest visitors should know are:

No Overnight Camping in dispersed areas - Forest Order 03-20-15 prohibits camping forest-wide except for designated developed campgrounds. This includes both the Desolation and Mokelumne Wilderness areas.
- Emergency Camping Prohibition - Forest Order 03-20-15
Developed Camping – Camping in designated developed open campgrounds will be allowed. At this time of year, many campgrounds are beginning to close for the season. Additional campgrounds located within the Fork Fire closure area are closed. Check the Campground Status page to determine which facilities are open.
Regional Fire Closure: The prohibition of the use of any ignition source on all National Forest System lands (campfires, gas stoves, etc.) throughout California remains in place.
- Regional Order 20-11
Forest Access – All Forest System lands, roads and trails will be open, except for those included within the Fork Fire closure area.
Day Use – Day Use facilities, such as picnic areas and trailheads, will be open except for those facilities that are collocated with a campground that is closed for the season or located within the Fork Fire closure area. Day hiking in the Desolation and Mokelumne Wilderness areas is allowed.
Recreation Residences and Resorts – Open.

Fork Fire Update

The fire is located off Wentworth Springs Road. north of Gerle Creek Reservoir.

Fork Fire Information: (530) 303-2455
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7165/
El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, (530) 213-3899 (evacuation information)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EldoradoNF
Twitter:@EldoradoNF
WebCam: http://www.alertwildfire.org/tahoe/?camera=Axis-Bunker

Know Before You Go

OFFICES - Our virtual offices are staffed to provide visitor information. The phone #s and hours are on the left side of this page.
CHECK CURRENT CONDITIONS/STATUS - Check out our Current Conditions web page for the status of campgrounds, roads, facilities, weather, fire, forest closure orders and other regulations.
CAMPING OUTSIDE OF CAMPGROUNDS (Dispersed Camping)
- "Pick Your Own Spot Camping" Recreation Opportunity Guide (pdf)
- Forest Maps (page link)
- Motor Vehicle Use Map - MVUM (page link). Our free map available for download.
- Forest Publications (page link)

Popular Recreation Activities

We have more information about recreation opportunities across the forest!

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COVID19 Information and Links

Continuing our service to you while doing our part to address the COVID-19 Pandemic is very important. This page contains the links to related documents and websites for the Eldorado NF, federal, state and local governments that pertain to this forest.