California · Camping · Near Bear Valley

Woods Lake Cg

May–Oct
best months

Is Woods Lake Cg 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 8,210 ftHigh camp: expect cold nights, even in summer
  • Amador Ranger DistrictEldorado National Forest

Woods Lake Campground is a Forest Service tent-only campground in the Amador Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest, near the summit of Carson Pass at about 8,200 feet. It sits at the higher end of the pass, and the Forest Service lists it as a place that often opens last each season. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F, while winter months stay below freezing. The station sits a few hundred feet lower, so temperatures at the campground run slightly cooler. Vault toilets are the only facility. Fees apply, so plan for that before you go. Trails lead from the campground into Mokelumne Wilderness, and free day permits are required. The Winnemucca Trail starts just 0.2 miles away and Round Top Lake about 0.3 miles. Caples Lake is roughly 1.5 miles off, and Caples Lake Resort offers fishing about 2.5 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Woods Lake Cg

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Monte's Mountain BBQ

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 3 mi
  • If it rains

    Alpine County Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 12 mi from Bear Valley

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Woods Lake Cg

    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

      36° / 23°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 23°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 26°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 29°

      5 wet

    5. May

      56° / 35°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 42°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 36°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 28°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 23°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dagget Pass, NV, 21.1 mi away at 7,334 ft. The station sits about 900 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

Facts about this campground

Rules & access

Fee
Yes

Source: USDA Forest Service recreation sites (EDW)