Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, CA)
Eldorado National Forest, CABear River Group Campground sits above Lower Bear River Reservoir in a mixed pine setting at 6,000 feet, designed specifically for groups seeking a Sierra Nevada retreat. With four separate sites accommodating 25-50 people each, it's built for organizations, families, or friend groups who want lake access without the crowded developed campground scene.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- $8
- 📍GPS
- 38.53389, -120.21889
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 209-295-4360
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
The campground offers four distinct group sites perched above the south side of Lower Bear River Reservoir, roughly a mile drive from the water. Sites are tent-only, with the largest accommodating 50 people and the other three handling 25 each. Each site comes with picnic tables, campfire rings, and vault toilets, plus there's a group cooking area and piped drinking water throughout the campground.
The mixed pine forest setting provides that classic Sierra atmosphere — fresh mountain air and enough tree cover for shade without feeling closed in. At 6,000 feet elevation, nights stay cool even in summer, and the Mediterranean climate means dry summers with the possibility of cold, wet conditions in winter and shoulder seasons.
What to Know
Group reservations require advance planning, especially during peak summer months. The 14-day advance reservation window means popular dates fill quickly. Keep cancellation policies in mind — cancel less than 14 days out and you'll pay a $10 service fee plus forfeit the first night's fee.
Nearby
Lower Bear River Reservoir offers the usual Sierra lake activities: fishing for rainbow, brown, and mackinaw trout, plus swimming, boating, and canoeing. Upriver, the smaller Upper Bear River Reservoir spans 166 acres with 2.5 miles of shoreline and abundant rainbow trout fishing.
For hiking, the Pardoe Trail starts just past Upper Bear River Reservoir and climbs Squaw Ridge to over 9,000 feet, bordering the Mokelumne Wilderness with expansive views of the surrounding terrain. Basic services — restaurants, boat rentals, and a general store — sit within a few miles of camp, so you're not completely cut off from resupply.