
South Fork Group - Eldorado NF (CA)
POLLOCK PINES, 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 South Fork Group - Eldorado NF (CA).
Here's your stay, mapped
South Fork Group - Eldorado NF (CA)
Suggested plan · check conditions before you go
Gear for the day
Meals
Photos
About this campground
Overview South Fork is the largest group campground in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area, nestled in the vast expanse of the Eldorado National Forest. The remote location affords visitors a true outdoor camping experience. Recreation With the South Fork of the Rubicon River located within walking distance, the group camp provides excellent fishing, swimming and other water sports and activities. Facilities While the campground can be used as a single group site that can accommodate up to 125 guests, it can also be reserved as multiple single-family sites. A group cooking area with food preparation tables and double grills is available, as well as campfire rings with grills at each site. Vault toilets are provided, however, drinking water is not available at the campground. Visitors can boil stream water or fill up at nearby boat ramps. A parking area is also available. Natural Features Situated at an elevation of 5,200 feet, the campground sits between the Union Valley Reservoir and Loon Lake. It is also just minutes away from Gerle Creek Reservoir, a serene mountain lake where motorized boating is prohibited in order to preserve a peaceful and quiet atmosphere for visitors. Nearby Attractions Swimming and non-motorized boating are available at Gerle Creek Reservoir, 5 miles north of the campground.
Directions & GPX
Facts about this campground
When to go
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Tahoma, CA weather station, 17 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
- South Fork Group - Eldorado NFRiver fishing0.1 mi
- South Fork GcgCamping0.1 mi
- Hunsucter TrailHiking1 mi
- South Fork TrailHiking1.2 mi
- Robbs HutCamping1.7 mi
- South Fork Rubicon RiverCanoeing2.3 mi
- Loon LakeRock climbing5.7 mi
- Lower ButtressRock climbing7.5 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Add to a trip & share
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