California · Camping · Near Bear Valley

China Flat Campground

Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is China Flat Campground open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Eldorado National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Eldorado National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 4,785 ft
  • Placerville Ranger DistrictEldorado National Forest

China Flat Campground is a Forest Service campground in the Placerville Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest in California. It sits within the national forest's recreation network, and the Eldorado National Forest's Recreation Opportunity Guides offer maps, directions and information to help plan a trip here. The campground is not reservable, so it is best to arrive with a plan to camp on site rather than book a specific spot in advance. The Forest Service manages the land, and the guides also list fees and passes for non-motorized trails. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Pacific House show May highs around 72°F and October highs around 66°F, while July and August average about 90°F. That station sits roughly 1,300 feet lower than the campground, so temperatures at the camp run cooler. Harvey West Cabin is just 0.4 miles away, and the Eagle Rock climbing area is about 0.9 miles off. The Pony Express Trail lies about 1.7 miles away, and Sand Flat Campground is about 3.1 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    China Flat Campground

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Kyburz Lodge

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rains

    Baldwin Home

    Museum

    Museum · 17 mi from Bear Valley

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit China Flat Campground

    Best months: March–June and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      44° / 32°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      50° / 31°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      56° / 33°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      63° / 36°

      9 wet

    5. May

      72° / 42°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 47°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 53°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 52°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 49°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      66° / 41°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 35°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 31°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pacific House, CA, 12.7 mi away at 3,450 ft. The station sits about 1,300 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Fire Restrictions are in Effect Forest Wide

      Eldorado National Forest · Order dated September 22, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Nov 2, 2026 · Forest Service

China Flat Campground

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