California · Camping · Markleeville · Near Bear Valley

Kit Carson Campground

Kit Carson CampgroundPhoto: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain
12
sites
May–Sep
best months

Is Kit Carson Campground open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Carson Ranger District. It doesn't name Kit Carson Campground, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Carson Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • 12 sites for tent and RV campingReservable on Recreation.gov
  • At 6,860 ft
  • Near MarkleevilleCarson Ranger District · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

Kit Carson Campground is a Forest Service campground in the Carson Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in California. It is a simple base with picnic tables and vault toilets, and the Forest Service manages the land. The campground is reservable, and no campsites here are listed as accessible. For the most comfortable weather, aim for July and August, when typical highs reach about 80°F and lows sit around 40°F, based on averages from a nearby weather station at South Lake Tahoe. That station sits about 550 feet lower than the campground, so temperatures here run a little cooler. Several outings start close by. Horsethief and the Pickett Peak Trail are each about half a mile away, and the Apron Crags climbing area is under a mile off. Crystal Springs Campground is about 2.8 miles away for another place to camp.

Around this trail

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

    Kit Carson Campground

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Restaurant at Caples Lake

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 10 mi
  • If it rains

    Alpine County Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 8.3 mi from Bear Valley

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Kit Carson Campground

    Best months: May–September. 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

      43° / 18°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 19°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 24°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 28°

      8 wet

    5. May

      62° / 33°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 38°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 43°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 41°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 35°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 29°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 23°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 18°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at South Lake Tahoe Ap, CA, 10 mi away at 6,314 ft. The station sits about 500 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.

Kit Carson Campground

12 sites for tent and RV camping

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