
Gerle Creek
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 Gerle Creek.
Here's your stay, mapped
Gerle Creek
Suggested plan · check conditions before you go
Gear for the day
Meals
Photos
About this campground
Overview Gerle Creek Campground is nestled on the banks of the Gerle Creek Fork among a lush forest of hardwoods. The area provides lots of opportunity for fishing and water play. Hiking and biking are also popular. Recreation Swimming, canoeing, kayaking and fishing are some of the fun things to do on the creek. Common fish species include brown and rainbow trout. An accessible fishing dock is located on-site. The Gerle Creek Interpretive Trail is fully accessible and provides scenic views and interesting displays. Facilities The campground offers single and double-family campsites, many of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided and firewood is available for purchase. Natural Features Gerle Creek Campground sits at an elevation of 5,300 feet, upstream of Gerle Creek Divide Reservoir. It is on the Georgetown Divide within the Eldorado National Forest. Gerle Creek was named for two brothers who were early settlers and farmers in the region. Eldorado National Forest boasts over 400 miles of hiking trails, an abundance of lakes and rivers for fishing and swimming, and incredible scenery. The climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters. Nearby Attractions Union Valley Reservoir and Loon Lake are within a short drive of the campground, offering additional fishing and boating opportunities. Charges & Cancellations Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes. Cancellation Fee: A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refunds for a cancelled reservation. 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 4 days before your arrival date. A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (see Late Cancellation below). Late Cancellation: If you cancel your reservation too close to the start date, additional service fees may be withheld. Refunds : Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).
Directions & GPX
Facts about this campground
When to go
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Tahoma, CA weather station, 15 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan37° high22° low
- Feb38° high22° low
- Mar43° high25° low
- Apr49° high27° low
- May58° high34° low
- Jun69° high40° low
- Jul77° high46° low
- Aug76° high46° low
- Sep69° high41° low
- Oct58° high34° low
- Nov44° high27° low
- Dec38° high21° low
The station sits about 1,100 ft higher than this spot, so expect it to run a little warmer here.
Where it is
- Pacific 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
- GERLE CREEK INTERPRETIVEHiking0.1 mi
- Gerle Creek TrailHiking0.2 mi
- Airport Flat CampgroundCamping0.9 mi
- South Fork Rubicon RiverCanoeing1.8 mi
- South Fork Group - Eldorado NF (CA)Camping1.9 mi
- South Fork Group - Eldorado NFRiver fishing1.9 mi
- Lower ButtressRock climbing6.1 mi
- October WallRock climbing8.4 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Add to a trip & share
Keep exploring — more campsites worth the drive
South Fork Group - Eldorado NF (CA)
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
Yellowjacket
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
Wolf Creek California
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
Sunset-Union Valley
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
Loon Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
Red Fir
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
Van Vleck Bunkhouse
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
Wench Creek
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
Fashoda
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.
Airport Flat Campground
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near California.