Established Camping

Bowman Campground

7 Reviews

About

National Forest

Tahoe National Forest

Bowman Lake Campground is a very remote campground with limited services. There are 7 campsites with tables, fire rings and bear proof food lockers. There is no trash service. Bowman Lake is a large lake surrounded by rocky cliffs and scattered pines that are great for fishing and swimming. A few islands are found within the lake. Car top boat launch only. The road to access the campground is very rough, rocky, and narrow. A high clearance vehicle is needed, and towing boats or trailers is very difficult and dangerous. There are several stretches of the road where it is impossible for two vehicles to pass around each other and so if traffic is coming from both directions, someone will need to back up. Despite the difficult access, Bowman Lake is a popular, heavily used area.

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Reservable
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump

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April C.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 23, 2022

Big open sites but restroom needs a lot of TLC

Great open sites that are maintained. The Restroom was scary between the spider infestation and wasps, I'd rather nature potty, but there was little to duck behind. Plus, you don't want the area to smell bad with so many people leaving tp or trash. A better restroom toilet or vault toilets would be better.

Month of VisitOctober

Austin

Traveler

Reviewed Feb. 19, 2022

Bowman - Winter Time

Bowman Lake in the winter is amazing. Wait til the snow melts a bit and you can make your way down to the lake. Absolutely beautiful mornings!

SiteCar Camping

Month of VisitFebruary

(6) View All

Christopher L.

Guide

Reviewed May. 21, 2021

Great campsite

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN OFF ROAD VEHICLE. Great campsite but hard to get to. Not bad if you have a 4x4 that's lifted with some all terrain tires. Overall nice and remote campground with great views. Make sure you bring bear spray! Pack your trash too.

Month of VisitJune

(5) View All

Location

Bowman Campground is located in California

Directions

From Nevada City: Take Hwy 20 east towards Truckee approximately 20 miles. Turn left on Bowman Lake Road (Forest Road 18). First 8 miles are paved, next 3 miles are gravel (1 1/2 lanes), and last 3 miles are very rough, requiring high clearance vehicle and road is one lane. The entire route is very windy. From I-80: Take Hwy 20 exit from I-80 heading west toward Nevada City for approximately 5 miles. Turn right on Bowman Lake Road (Forest Road 18). First 8 miles are paved, next 3 miles are gravel (1 1/2 lanes), and last 3 miles are very rough, requiring high clearance vehicle and road is one lane.