Loon Lake Campground sits directly on the south shore of Loon Lake at 6,500 feet in the Sierra Nevada, offering 53 sites with lake access for boating, swimming, and fishing. It's a solid pick for groups wanting a developed base camp with water activities, plus quick access to the legendary Rubicon Trail for off-road adventures.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 53
- 💵Fee per Night
- $36
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 🏔️Elevation
- 6,500 ft
- 📍GPS
- 38.98333, -120.33000
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- summer, fall
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
- 📞Phone
- 530-293-0827
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
The campground spreads across the south shore with a mix of waterfront and inland sites, all equipped with picnic tables, grills, fire rings, and bear-proof lockers. Five separate picnic areas within the campground provide lake views, and there's a dedicated day-use area for visitors not staying overnight. Firewood is available on-site, which saves the hassle of sourcing it elsewhere at this elevation.
At 6,500 feet, you're in Mediterranean-style Sierra climate territory: warm, dry summers perfect for lake activities, and cold, wet winters when the campground typically closes. The setting puts you just west of Lake Tahoe with all the granite and pine scenery that elevation brings.
What to Know
This is a reservation-required campground, and as a group facility, it operates under stricter cancellation policies than standard sites. Cancel within 14 days of arrival and you'll forfeit the first night's fee on top of the $10 service fee. The cut-off for changes is typically four days before arrival.
The lake draws crowds for rainbow and brown trout fishing, plus water skiing when conditions allow. Summer fills up quickly given the lake access and proximity to Tahoe.
Nearby
The 18-mile Rubicon Trail launches nearby, offering what officials diplomatically call "scenic, un-maintained, rocky road" for off-road vehicles. This is one of the more famous 4WD routes in California, so expect other adventurers to be staging from the area.
Beyond motorized recreation, the campground serves hikers and horseback riders, though specific trail details aren't provided. The combination of lake activities and backcountry access makes this a versatile base camp for groups with mixed interests.