This group-only site in the Crystal Basin area puts 40 people under ponderosa pines with Silver Creek running through the southern edge. It's built for reunions and church camps that want easy reservoir access without individual site drama.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- $125
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 📍GPS
- 38.82694, -120.39000
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 831-245-6891
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
Silver Creek spreads across 13 units — 9 walk-in tent spots and 4 with parking spurs, all feeding into a central kitchen area anchored by one large group fire ring. That's your only fire option, so plan accordingly. South Fork Silver Creek provides the soundtrack from the southern boundary, and the ponderosa canopy offers decent shade without blocking all the sun.
The setup forces interaction — everyone parks in the main lot and shares the central cooking area. No water spigots, so you're hauling everything in or treating creek water.
What to Know
Ice House Reservoir sits less than 2 miles away, making this a solid base for groups that want lake access without lakefront prices. Swimming and fishing work right in the creek — rainbow and brown trout live in these waters. The reservoir handles the bigger water activities: motor boats, jet skiing, water skiing.
For showers, you'll drive to Fashoda Campground. Dump station is at nearby Ice House Campground. The cancellation policy bites if you're within 14 days — you lose the first night's fee plus a $10 service charge.
Nearby
Desolation Wilderness borders the area for groups with hikers and backpackers. The Crystal Basin area offers mountain biking and hiking trails, though specific routes aren't detailed. You're in historical gold rush territory — remnants of 1800s mining operations scatter through the Eldorado National Forest, though you'll need to do your own exploring to find them.
The Sierra Nevada location means potential wildlife encounters: black bears, mule deer, bobcats, and the full mountain menagerie. Store food properly and brief your group on bear protocols.