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Water
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Activities
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Signs & Maps

Established Camping

Bear River Group Campground

Bear River Group Campground is located in Eldorado National Forest, featuring forested terrain with a mix of trees and open spaces. The area experiences temperature highs around 85°F in summer and lows near 30°F in winter. Nearby attractions include the scenic Sly Park Recreation Area and the historic town of Placerville.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Eldorado National Forest

Overview

The Bear River Group Campground offers four separate group campsites on a site above the south side of the Lower Bear River Reservoir. The proximity to water and the mixed pine setting in the fresh Sierra Nevada air, makes this campground an excellent group retreat destination. Upriver from the campground is the Upper Bear River Reservoir. This lake is smaller and spans 166 surface acres with 2.5 miles of shoreline.

Recreation

Lake activities include fishing, swimming, boating, canoeing and picnicking on the shores. Rainbow trout are found in abundance throughout the season, in addition to smaller populations of brown and mackinaw trout as well. A short distance past the Upper Bear River Reservoir is the Pardoe Trail, which borders the Mokelumne Wilderness. The trail runs up the top of Squaw Ridge to an elevation of over 9,000 feet, providing excellent views of the surrounding area.

Natural Features

Bear Group Campground is situated an elevation of 6,000 feet, just a short distance (approximately one mile drive) from the reservoir. It is part of the Eldorado National Forest located in the central Sierra Nevada. A Mediterranean climate extends over most of the forest with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.

Nearby Attractions

Restaurants, boat rentals and a general store are within a few miles of the campground.

Charges & Cancellations

Recreation Fee: Recreation fees are the fees a visitor pays for things like overnight camping, a day-use pavilion, group facilities, a tour or a permit. Recreation fees vary by location and/or activity. Reservation Fee: A fee may be charged at the time a reservation is made to cover the cost of reservation services. This fee is in addition to the Recreation Fee and is non-refundable. Fees for camping, day use, group sites, cabins and lookouts: $8 if made on-line; $9 if made through the call center; $3 if made in-person. Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes. Cancellation Fee: Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.. Cut-Off Window: The latest date and/or time that you can make an advanced reservation or a change to an existing reservation. Cut-off windows can vary by location, but are typically 14 days before your arrival date. Late Cancellation: If you cancel your reservation too close to the start date, additional service fees may be withheld.

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Location

Bear River Group Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Jackson, California, travel east on State Route 88 for 39 miles and turn right (south) on Bear River Road. Travel 2 miles to Y intersection and stay to the right side, going across the dam. Drive .5 miles past South Shore Campground to Bear Group Campground, which will be located on left side of road.

Address

ELDORADO NATIONAL FOREST
Pioneer, CA 95666

Coordinates

38.5338889 N
120.2188889 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

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Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Reservable

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


Reviews

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2 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 7, 2018

Bear River Camping

Camping on the bear river out of Weimar California. camping is very close to the river. reservations are require, fee is $10 per site. Activities include swimming, rafting, fishing and gold panning. The camp is clean and the toilets are ok.

Reviewed Jul. 1, 2018

Not my favorite

The camp sites were very close to the main road which usually wouldn't be so bad but drivers fly down the road. The bathrooms and campsites weren't very clean, lots of trash around 😕 On a good note close to the water and easy to access.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Bear River Group Campground?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Bear River Group Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Bear River Group Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Bear River Group Campground?

    There are 4 campsites at Bear River Group Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts