Loon Lake Campground


Area Status: Closed

Location:

23 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50 and 29 miles north on Ice House Road (Forest Road 3) on the south side of Loon Lake.

Recreation Opportunity Guides (ROG)

These guides contains information, maps, and directions to assist you in enjoying your trip to the Eldorado National Forest.

At a Glance

Operational Hours: Check in time is 2:00 p.m. Check out time is 1:00 p.m.
Reservations: CALL 1-877-444-6777, four days to 6 months in advance of your first night’s stay. www.Recreation.gov. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover accepted. Both reservation and first-come, first-served sites available.
Rentals & Guides: None
Area Amenities: Accessible,Boat ramp,Tent camping,Camping trailer,Picnic tables,Toilets,Drinking water
Fees: $28/single
$56/double
$28 overnight camping on the boatramp
$10/picnic area
$160/​Group #1 for 50 people
$135/​Group #2 for 35 people
$130/Equestrian ​Group #3 for 25 people
Other fees: dumping waste tank, extra vehicle
Wood is available for purchase from host.
Open Season: late June - September
Usage: Medium-Heavy
Best Season: Summer
Busiest Season: Summer
Restrictions:
  • Single units are limited to 1 vehicle and 6 people per site. Double units are 2 vehicles and 12 people. An additional fee will be charged for extra vehicles if the
    parking spur will accommodate it.
  • 4 campsites are accessible for persons with disabilities
  • Vehicle = Any equipment that is required to be licensed/registered. Includes RVs, trailers, cars/trucks, boat/car trailer, motorcycle/atv, etc. Vehicles parked in a truck or on a trailer are not counted
    separately.
  • Please check with the campground attendant or entrance board before setting up your camp.
  • All food must be stored in the food lockers (Bear Boxes).
  • Keep family pets on a leash at all times.
Closest Towns: Pollock Pines, Ca
Water: Yes
Restroom: Vault
Passes: Interagency Senior and Access passes are accepted for single family units. Give your Interagency pass number when making a reservation.
Operated By: Royal Elk Park Management
Information Center: At this time Virtual Services are available for the Placerville and Pacific Ranger Districts, Monday – Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm at 530 644-2324 in Camino year-round and the Crystal Information Station east of Union Valley Reservoir on Ice House Road during the summer.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Group Camping

Loon Lake Complex has three group campgrounds including an group equestrian camping area. Location: 23 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50 and 29 miles north on Ice House Road (Forest Road 3) on the south side of Loon Lake.

Group 1: 10 Walk-In Tent Units, 50 People Maximum. Accessible units. Closest to shore.

Group 2: 6 Tent, Trailer or R.V. Units, 35 People Maximum. Accessible units.

Group 3: Equestrian (Horses) 5 Tent, Trailer or R.V. Units, 25 People Maximum

Status: Closed
Status description: Closed
Open Season: June-September
Fees: Group 1 = $130/50 person maximum, Group 2 = $100/ 35 person maximum, and Group 3 = $100/ 25 person maximum.
Reservation required?: Y
Reservation info:
  • Call 1-877-444-6777, four days to 12 months in advance of your first night’s stay. 
  • WEBSITE: www.recreation.gov
  • Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover accepted.
  • Interagency Senior/Access/Annual passes do not apply to Group facilities.
Best Season: Summer
Hours of Operation: Check in time is 2:00 p.m. Check out time is 1:00 p.m.

Lake and Pond Fishing

State of California Fishing permit required.

Permit required?: Y

Day Hiking

Backpacking

Permit required in Desolation Wilderness.

Permit required?: Y

Horse Camping

Equestrian Group and Family sites in campground.

Picnicking

Picnic area is at the boatramp.

Boating - Motorized

Mostly used for fishing. Although ski boats are allowed there are quite a few boulders under the surface that require caution. Also, in the afternoon there is a strong wind coming up the canyon from the west which can create significant waves.

Swimming

Very cold even late into the summer.

Amenities

Camping trailer:
Picnic tables:
Tent camping:
Toilets: Vault
Accessible: 4 campsites
Boat ramp: fee for parking, not launching.
Drinking water: Yes

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Latitude : 
38.979985

  Longitude : 
-120.316854

  Elevation : 
6,500