Bear Group Campground
Group Campground

Bear Group Campground

Eldorado National Forest, CA

Bear Group Campground sits at 6,000 feet near Bear River Reservoir, designed for gatherings that need more space than a standard campsite can provide. With four group sites handling 25 to 50 people each, it's built for family reunions, scout troops, and other organized groups willing to plan ahead and pay accordingly.

Campground Details

Type
Group
💵Fee per Night
Free
📋Reservations
Reservation Required
🏔️Elevation
6,000 ft
📍GPS
38.53319, -120.23083
🌤️Best Seasons
summer, fall
🐾Pets Allowed
Yes

Amenities

💧Potable Water
🚻Vault Toilets

The Camp

Four distinct group sites spread across the Bear River Reservoir area, each with its own character and capacity. Junco, Chipmunk, and Smokey accommodate 25 people for $115 per night, while Kokanee handles up to 50 for $145. Each site comes equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and access to potable water and vault toilets — the basics covered so you can focus on the group dynamics rather than logistics.

The 6,000-foot elevation puts you in pine country with cooler nights even during summer, though the season here runs through fall as well.

What to Know

Reservations are mandatory — no showing up and hoping for space. The 14-day maximum stay applies per district per year, so plan your timing if you're thinking about extended gatherings. Standard interagency passes won't help you here; group sites don't honor Senior or Access discounts.

Bear activity is real and documented, not just boilerplate warning text. Bear boxes are provided for a reason — use them for all food, soap, and garbage. Groups often get sloppy about food storage when there are multiple families involved, but that's exactly when vigilance matters most.

Pets are welcome on leash, which works well for groups that include dog-owning families.

The reservoir setting means water activities are likely part of the draw, though the specific access and regulations aren't detailed in the site information. Summer and fall seasons suggest ice-free conditions, but verify current water levels and any restrictions before planning water-based activities for your group.