Pipi Campground spreads across three loops along the Middle Fork Cosumnes River, where dense conifers frame 51 sites at 4,100 feet elevation. The river runs right through camp, offering stocked rainbow trout fishing and swimming holes that made this a traditional Miwok summer gathering place.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 51
- 💵Fee per Night
- $36
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 🏔️Elevation
- 4,100 ft
- 📍GPS
- 38.57361, -120.43750
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- spring, fall
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
- 📞Phone
- +1 (209) 295-4414
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
Three camp loops wind through a thick mix of cedar and fir, with the Cosumnes River as the main attraction. Most sites sit on paved parking aprons, though some are gravel — each accommodates two vehicles and up to six people. The spacious riverside picnic area gives everyone access to the water, even if your site doesn't border the creek.
A paved walkway follows the river for just under a mile, designed for wheelchair access and easy fishing. During peak season, interpretive programs add structure for families, but the river itself provides the real entertainment.
What to Know
Reservations are required, with the standard federal system fees: $8 online, $9 by phone, $3 in person, plus a $10 cancellation fee if you bail out. The 4-day advance cut-off window means you can't decide last-minute.
The 52-mile Cosumnes River gets regular rainbow trout stocking, making this a reliable fishing camp rather than a wilderness experience. The Mediterranean climate means warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters — plan accordingly since this sits in the transition zone of the central Sierra Nevada.
At 4,100 feet, Pipi occupies middle elevation in the Eldorado National Forest, high enough for proper conifers but not so high that access becomes an issue in shoulder seasons.