
Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, CA)
PIONEER, California
Free — you'll pick up right here.
No verdict for this campground
We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.
What we do know
Inside Eldorado National Forest
2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.
Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.
Campsite availability
Live from Recreation.gov for Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, CA).
Here's your stay, mapped
Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, CA)
Suggested plan · check conditions before you go
Gear for the day
Meals
Photos
About this campground
Overview The Bear River Group Campground offers four separate group campsites on a site above the south side of the Lower Bear River Reservoir. The proximity to water and the mixed pine setting in the fresh Sierra Nevada air, makes this campground an excellent group retreat destination. Upriver from the campground is the Upper Bear River Reservoir. This lake is smaller and spans 166 surface acres with 2.5 miles of shoreline. Recreation Lake activities include fishing, swimming, boating, canoeing and picnicking on the shores. Rainbow trout are found in abundance throughout the season, in addition to smaller populations of brown and mackinaw trout as well. A short distance past the Upper Bear River Reservoir is the Pardoe Trail, which borders the Mokelumne Wilderness. The trail runs up the top of Squaw Ridge to an elevation of over 9,000 feet, providing excellent views of the surrounding area. Facilities The campground is designed for tent camping only. Campstie 1 fits 50 people while the other three sites accommodate 25. Piped drinking water, vault toilets, picnic tables, campfire rings and a group cooking area are among the amenities. Natural Features Bear Group Campground is situated an elevation of 6,000 feet, just a short distance (approximately one mile drive) from the reservoir. It is part of the Eldorado National Forest located in the central Sierra Nevada. A Mediterranean climate extends over most of the forest with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters. Nearby Attractions Restaurants, boat rentals and a general store are within a few miles of the campground. Charges & Cancellations Recreation Fee: Recreation fees are the fees a visitor pays for things like overnight camping, a day-use pavilion, group facilities, a tour or a permit. Recreation fees vary by location and/or activity. Reservation Fee: A fee may be charged at the time a reservation is made to cover the cost of reservation services. This fee is in addition to the Recreation Fee and is non-refundable. Fees for camping, day use, group sites, cabins and lookouts: $8 if made on-line; $9 if made through the call center; $3 if made in-person. Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes. Cancellation Fee: Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.. Cut-Off Window: The latest date and/or time that you can make an advanced reservation or a change to an existing reservation. Cut-off windows can vary by location, but are typically 14 days before your arrival date. Late Cancellation: If you cancel your reservation too close to the start date, additional service fees may be withheld.
Directions & GPX
Facts about this campground
When to go
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the South Lake Tahoe Ap, CA weather station, 28 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan43° high18° low
- Feb43° high19° low
- Mar48° high24° low
- Apr53° high28° low
- May62° high33° low
- Jun72° high38° low
- Jul80° high43° low
- Aug80° high41° low
- Sep73° high35° low
- Oct62° high29° low
- Nov51° high23° low
- Dec43° high18° low
Where it is
- Amador Ranger District · Ranger district
- Eldorado National Forest · National forest
- Managed by
- Forest Service
Conditions
Active alerts for Eldorado National Forest as of Oct 9, 2026:
Fire Restrictions are in Effect Forest Wide
fire-restriction · posted Sep 30, 2026
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Mokelumne Wilderness Restricted Use
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Occupancy and Use Restrictions - Desolation Wilderness Area
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Deer Valley Trail (19E01) & Meadow Lake Road (09N01)
caution · posted Aug 24, 2026
Silver Bear Wheeled Vehicle Closure
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Desolation Wilderness Food and Refuse Storage Restriction
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Camping Occupancy Restrictions
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Help Halt Golden Mussel Invasion
caution · posted Aug 24, 2026
Source: USFS forest alerts
Nearby
- SALT SPRS. OVERLOOKHiking0.8 mi
- South Shore CampgroundCamping0.9 mi
- Cole Creek LoopCross-country skiing1 mi
- Pardoes Point CampgroundCamping1.1 mi
- Gamma QuadrantRock climbing1.2 mi
- Alpha QuadrantRock climbing1.3 mi
- Bear RiverCanoeing2.4 mi
- Cole CreekCanoeing2.9 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Add to a trip & share
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