California · Camping · Camino · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Van Vleck Bunkhouse

Van Vleck BunkhousePhoto: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain
1
sites
May–Oct
best months

Is Van Vleck Bunkhouse 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.

  • 1 site for cabin campingReservable on Recreation.gov
  • At 6,516 ft
  • Near CaminoPacific Ranger District · Eldorado National Forest

Winter guests take on a more challenging adventure and must traverse an approx. 6-mile trek with a 1,300-foot elevation gain to reach the bunkhouse. The route is marked by blue reflective diamonds and this journey is for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers only. Winter vehicle access from Jan. 1 through May 15 is restricted by snow. Winter user access is from the Loon Lake Campground vehicle pull out. Summer guests can access the bunkhouse by road and enjoy the simple pleasure of the cabin and nearby hiking and horseback riding. Vehicle access is restricted to the Bunkhouse parking area. Van Vleck Bunkhouse overlooks a 40-acre meadow and the Tells Peak portion of the Crystal Range of the Sierra Nevada, providing a rustic camping experience year-round. Built in 1957, the bunkhouse is the last remaining building at the Van Vleck Ranch site. The area was operated as a cattle ranch from the 1860s to the 1960s.

Around this trail

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

    Van Vleck Bunkhouse

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Chambers Landing Bar and Grill

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 14 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sunnyside-Tahoe City
  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Van Vleck Bunkhouse

    Best months: May–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

      37° / 22°

    2. Feb

      38° / 22°

    3. Mar

      43° / 25°

    4. Apr

      49° / 27°

    5. May

      58° / 34°

    6. Jun

      69° / 40°

    7. Jul

      77° / 46°

    8. Aug

      76° / 46°

    9. Sep

      69° / 41°

    10. Oct

      58° / 34°

    11. Nov

      44° / 27°

    12. Dec

      38° / 21°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Tahoma, CA, 13.9 mi away at 6,315 ft. 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

Van Vleck Bunkhouse

1 site for cabin camping

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