Big Silver Group Campground handles up to 50 people in a mix of easy-access and walk-in sites spread along Big Silver Creek. The setting is classic Sierra Nevada — ponderosa pines, a babbling creek, and Union Valley Reservoir a 5-minute bike ride away.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- $50
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 📍GPS
- 38.87917, -120.36250
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- summer, fall
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
- 📞Phone
- 831-245-6891
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
Ten sites split between easy-access spots for RVs and trailers, plus walk-in tent sites that require a short hike down gentle slopes to Big Silver Creek. The group kitchen area anchors the social scene with multiple tables, grills, and a proper campfire circle. Most of the campground sits flat under ponderosa pine shade, with the creek sites offering more secluded camping down by the water.
No piped water or electricity means hauling your own H2O or treating creek water — boiling or chemical purification required. Vault toilets handle the basics, and trash collection keeps things tidy.
What to Know
Reservations are mandatory for this group camp, with the usual federal booking fees and a 14-day cancellation window to avoid forfeiting your first night's fee. The location puts you 23 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50, then 16 miles north on Ice House Road — a decent drive but nothing too remote.
A convenience store with restaurant, gas, and phone sits within 10 miles south on Ice House Road if you need supplies. Pollock Pines, 25 miles out, is your nearest proper town.
Nearby
The Union Valley Bike Trail starts right from camp — an easy 5.8-mile, two-lane bikeway with a few short climbs. Union Valley Reservoir is practically next door for fishing and water activities. The surrounding forest offers hiking, wildlife viewing, and bird watching, though specific trail details aren't spelled out. The creek provides the immediate entertainment: fishing, cooling off, or just listening to water flow while you figure out dinner plans.