RV sites near Eldorado National Forest range in elevation from 2,000 to 7,000 feet, creating diverse camping experiences through the seasons. Many campgrounds maintain partial hookups even at higher elevations, though water systems often shut down from late October through April due to freezing temperatures. Sites along the American River typically offer more water access points than mountain locations.
What to do
River activities: Thousand Trails Ponderosa offers direct access to the American River. "The best thing about this campground is its location on the river. But the sites are packed in and many have little or no cover. We spent most of our time lounging at the edge of the river. It really moved along and was fun to float down in a tube," reports one camper.
Fishing spots: Several campgrounds provide fishing opportunities around Eldorado National Forest. "Great trout fishing. Bear country be advised. Extreme fire danger the summer months and closed due to snow in winter," notes a visitor about French Meadows.
Winter camping: Snow camping options exist for those prepared for cold-weather conditions. "We ended up camping in a truck camper at Tahoe Valley Campground after being caught in a snow storm. For a last minute find, it turned out to be an awesome choice. It was the weekend after Thanksgiving and snowing so there were a handful of people at the campground and the entire place was very quiet," shares one winter visitor.
What campers like
Private beach access: Campers at RV Village Campground at Camp Richardson Resort appreciate the water access. "Very close walk down to the Lake and the Beacon restaurant where you can have world famous RumRunner. Campground had hot showers. We showed up and still managed to find a camp spot that same day which is rare for this gorgeous location," notes a guest.
Mountain views: RV parks at lower elevations offer scenic vistas. "Valley Views. Wonderful views of the mountains and the Carson Valley from this very nice RV campground. This place has everything. Beautiful setting and great, complete amenities," reports a visitor to Silver City RV Resort.
Organized activities: Some RV parks provide scheduled events. "They put on a ton of events like karaoke nights, live music, and smores nights. Hot showers and well lit clean bathrooms. Hard to find solitude or silence," mentions a reviewer about Tahoe Valley Campground.
What you should know
Tight camping spaces: Many RV sites in the region have limited space between neighbors. "Sites are very unlevel and tight for larger rigs at some mountain locations. The sites are a little more 'stack and pack' than we like, but the view of the river made up for it," mentions a camper at Thousand Trails Ponderosa.
Reservation challenges: Some campgrounds operate with unusual reservation systems. "We checked in and had reservations but it's first come first serve sites! They have different sections that cost more… the closer you are to the river, the more it will cost. It ranges from $5 to $20 bucks more a night," explains a visitor at Ponderosa RV Resort.
Road conditions: Access roads to higher-elevation campgrounds require careful driving. "French Meadows is definitely off the beaten path. The road is long and windy and dangerous if you are not creeping around the corners. 1.5 hours from Auburn. The reservoir was almost full so that made it especially nice. All sites have easy access to the water," notes one camper.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Find campgrounds with water features for children. "We had our 6 year old with us and she loved to scooter around the walking path with us. We used the free WiFi to homeschool as well. This is a great place to visit," reports a family staying at Jackson Rancheria RV Park.
Recreation facilities: Some campgrounds offer additional activities beyond nature. "Mini train ride around park, great playground, mini golf, showed movie and a lot more awesomeness. Was not cheap but kept the kids entertained. Will be going back," shares a visitor at Placerville RV Resort.
Site selection for tents: Families using tents should research site terrain. "Two thirds of the campsites were on a slope with no where to setup a tent on level ground. We got lucky and reserved a site with a 'decent' spot to place a tent but if you have never been and don't know what sites to pick while making reservations online then you are rolling the dice."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for uneven terrain. "Easy to access, even for larger rigs. We stayed in 39 foot 5th wheel. Plenty of pull thru spots, full hookups, regularly spaced bathroom/showers. Nice store for basic needs, nice laundry room," reports a visitor to Ghost Mountain RV Campground.
Alternative dump options: Not all campgrounds offer sewer hookups. "They don't have sewer so you can dump it yourself at a dump area on the campground or have a service come to you and do it for $25," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Ponderosa.
Utility limitations: Winter camping has specific infrastructure challenges. "We weren't able to connect to water because of freezing temperatures but there are many amenities available including hot showers, laundry facilities and a general store. It was a little overpriced for the low season, but I guess that's Tahoe."
