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Best Tent Camping near Pollock Pines, CA

1,180 Reviews

Tent campsites around Pollock Pines, California range from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites within the El Dorado National Forest. Jenkinson Campground at Sly Park Recreation Area offers tent sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and access to Jenkinson Lake. Fashoda Campground, located 10 miles north on Ice House Road, provides more primitive tent camping with basic facilities that operate seasonally from early June through late August.

Road access to tent camping areas varies significantly, with some campgrounds requiring careful navigation on narrow, winding roads. Many primitive tent sites have limited amenities, with vault toilets being the most common facility. Bear boxes are provided at several campgrounds, including Jenkinson, while others require campers to bring their own food storage. Fire restrictions are common during summer and fall months, with complete bans possible during high fire danger periods. Walk-in tent sites at Camp Nauvoo offer drinking water and toilets but minimal amenities. A review noted that some campgrounds have "campsites that were at a slant so it was a bit uncomfortable in terms of the sleep situation."

The tent camping experience near Pollock Pines offers diverse settings for different preferences. Areas closer to Jenkinson Lake provide water recreation opportunities but can become crowded during summer weekends. More secluded tent campsites can be found at higher elevations, though these typically lack amenities and may require high-clearance vehicles to access. The surrounding forest provides excellent hiking opportunities, with trails connecting to the larger Tahoe basin trail networks. During off-peak seasons, tent campers enjoy significantly more solitude. As one camper mentioned about the Jenkinson area, "It was a pretty, tree-covered area that we enjoyed spending time in, and it had all of the basics covered (decent bathrooms, bear boxes, adequate room for cars and tents)." Winter tent camping is possible at lower elevations, though higher sites are typically snow-covered from November through May.

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Best Tent Sites Near Pollock Pines, California (92)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Pollock Pines, CA

58 Photos of 92 Pollock Pines Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Pollock Pines, CA

1180 Reviews of 92 Pollock Pines Campgrounds

  • Dani P.
    Jul. 12, 2019

    Meeks Bay

    Beautiful and big family oriented campground

    Just a small walk away from Lake Tahoe shore. Big beautiful trees cover the entire campground. A couple bathrooms that surprisingly do not smell bad and have a running faucet. Bears are a real issue, so they have big bear boxes at each site - make sure to use them. Sites close together and not much privacy. Camp Host on site. Very limited parking at the sites, but free parking if you park outside of the campground along the main road and walk in. Do not leave food in your car, especially on the outside. And dont forget to Leave No Trace!

  • Jordie G.
    May. 23, 2023

    Pine Cone - Sly Park Recreation Area

    Excellent campsite, terrible booking website

    Beautiful view of the lake, level plot, toilets, picnic table, potable water, fire ring, grill, recycling stations and large dumpsters. Dog friendly too. This campsite has everything you need to enjoy a nice evening by the lake. However, booking online or by phone is a pain in the ass. If you toussle around with the website, you'll see what I mean. We were also unable to reach anyone by phone.

    They do not do walk-ins for campsites on Fridays or Saturdays. We came on a Sunday and were able to set up camp and leave our stuff to hit the grocery store in Pollock Pines. I think it was $45 for the night but very well worth camping in an established zone for the first time in a week! We drove into our site in a Ford E-350 and next to us was a converted schoolbus. Many SUVs as well. The camp host was on premises as well.

    At the time of this review, the store across the check-in gate, Sly Park Resort, was closed until further notice.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 25, 2023

    Lake Clementine Boat In — Auburn State Recreation Area

    Off-season peaceful stay

    General: Normally, there are 18 designated sites that are reservable only from May 1– October 15. What we didn’t know until we arrived was that only Sites 1-7 were open after this date; fortunately, only two other sites were occupied when we arrived at 5:30 pm on a Monday in late October. The access road is about six miles of curvy, hilly, and narrow (sometimes only one lane) pavement. There is a sign prohibiting trailers; our 18-foot camper van did fine but anything much larger would definitely be challenged. 

    Site Quality: Many of the sites are more suitable for tent campers. The parking area is at the top of the hill, and you set up your tent below. Most of the sites that have a “driveway” were not level, except for Sites 5 and 6. We lucked out with Site 6 – it was large and level and directly across from the vault toilets. A fire pit/grill, large concrete picnic table, and bear box complete the site (although there was a fire ban in effect).

    Bath: Only one vault toilet was open, and it was very clean. It was cleaned again the next morning. 

    Activities: This campground is located on the North Fork of the American River. In season, this campground would be very popular with rafters; there is a raft launch and takeout area close to the campsites. The river was crystal clear and beautiful.

    This was a small but beautiful campground. We were surprised that we had a semi-decent cell signal ranging from 1 to 2 bars (Verizon).

  • Quinn M.
    Sep. 23, 2019

    North Grove Campground — Calaveras Big Trees State Park

    Close to Perfect

    My brother and I hit the north grove campground for the first time this past weekend. My expectations weren’t high but this place was great.

    The campground we chose was kind of close to the road which would have been the only real negative. The campground map makes it seem like the road was further away from the sites but I woke up a couple of times from road noise.

    Our campsite had a fire ring, bbq, picnic table and bear box and still had a large flat spot for my huge tent as well as parking for my car.

    The weather was great, no bugs to be found and plenty to do. I already want to go back next year but choose a site further from the road.

  • Summer A.
    Jul. 25, 2018

    Big Meadows Campground

    Sequoia National Forest Lovely Spacious Camp Sites

    It sounds like there are multiple Big Meadow camp grounds in California. This review is for Big Meadow Campground, Sequoia NF - FS, CA. The photos are of site 009B. My visit was wonderful. The camp sites are large. We set up two 8 person tents and one 2 person tent and there was plenty of room for more. The firepits are very well made. They block the wind while allowing good airflow. There is a very large picnick table at each site, a bear box, and plenty of shade. There is a vault toilet that is cleaned daily. The sites boarder a stream. The water level is about 3 inches in July with temperatures in the 80's. This is a dog friendly site. There is no potable water at this site.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 15, 2023

    General Creek Campground — Sugar Pine Point State Park

    Available off-season camping near Lake Tahoe

    After October 2, it is first come, first available and only sites 26-72 were open so my review is limited to a small portion of the campground. When I researched ahead of time, it was the ONLY open campground I could find in the Lake Tahoe area. At least the per night rate was decreased to $25 ($23 for seniors). I don’t know about the rest of the loops but most of the sites in the open loop appeared to be “doubles” or even “triples”; the camper pads were paved but appeared to be side-by-side parking spaces. Fortunately, there were not many campers so this was not a problem, however, if the park were more crowded, this layout would only make sense if the camper pads were used to park vehicles and people tent camped. All sites appeared to be level. No hookups. Each site had a large picnic table, fire ring, and bear box. 

    We had been warned multiple times that we were camping in an active bear area and although we did not encounter any, one of the other campers told us they had seen a mama and bear cub, along with a coyote. 

    The showers and dump station were closed for the season. There was no host on-site. The restrooms were very basic: toilet and sink but no soap, paper towels, or air dryers. 

    My rating might have been higher if we could have seen other parts of the campground, but our experience was limited to one night and we did not visit the day-use area.

  • S
    Aug. 19, 2018

    Sand Flat Campground

    No Reservations Required

    Located off highway 50 near Kyburz, CA, this campsite is a first come, first serve campsite. No reservations. Listen to the sounds of the river while sleeping. You can also play & fish in the river during the day. The river is stocked with fish. RV & tent sites which are spacious & most have nice shade coverage. No hookups, vault toilets. Dog friendly on leashes. Camp host has been there for 5 years & is super friendly. we had no problems but we followed the rules. Only 4 stars because you do hear the highway traffic. one of my fav places. $23 per day per site, $8 for extra parking. Lots of extra spaces.

  • Elliott B.
    Sep. 28, 2018

    Fallen Leaf Campground - South Lake Tahoe

    Nice location, but has a few major issues

    We got a last minute cancelled site at the Fallen Leaf Campground, and thought we’d truly lucked out. We stayed at site 87 which is nestled among towering native pine trees on the South end of the campground and one of the few sites which doesn’t have neighbors on all sides. The sites have the standard standing BBQ's and fire rings at all sites (but we couldn’t utilize them because of the fire ban), old picnic tables and various amounts of space for RV’s/cars and the tried and true bear box. In this campground you NEED to utilize the bear boxes. They have signs everywhere about the mass amount of bear activity and how there is a mother and her 2 cubs which have been terrorizing the campground for some time this season (2018). Again, you need to keep everything (food, toiletries, etc.) in the bear box at all times. The sites are reservable, and on top of the $35 (nonelectric) per site there is a $7 fee for a second vehicle, Yurts go for $86 which do have power and a nonrefundable $10 service fee…. While the campground allows dogs, they aren’t allowed in the Yurts.

    There’s lots of bear proof dumpsters around the campground, lots of potable water in strategic spots and a number of decent restrooms, and it was nice that at some of them they provided hot (pay) showers (at $1 per 3 minutes) and while the ADA has some control the standard one has no control over the heat or pressure its simply on or off. Also, the restrooms have no soap, paper towels, or hand dryers, etc. Which was a little disappointing for the cost.

    My biggest disappointment in the setup of the campground has to do with the bears and cleaning your dishes. There is no dish-washing area in the entire ~200 site, ~14 bathroom campground. They specifically ask that you don’t wash your dishes in the sinks or at the water spigots as they don’t want any food particles going down the drains. So, when I asked about disposing of the dish water they said to just toss it at the base of a tree, as it’s dry and the trees would appreciate it. This doesn’t help keep the bears away… While we scrapped and collected every bit of food waste we could and tossed it into the dumpsters, ff you’re just tossing food scrap-soaked water at the base of the trees the bears are going to come for the smell… I’ve stayed at other sites in bear country which have setups for disposing of the waste water and food scraps to detract bears and Fallen Leaf definitely is lacking and this is possibly part of the reason they’re having such an issue with bears.

    While, our site (87) would probably normally be a great location with the Fallen Leaf Lake being the only thing behind you and no neighbors on at least 2 of your sides, we happened to somehow book the same weekend that a corporate event was taking over the vast majority of the campground with almost 200 people….

    While, not entirely the campgrounds fault it was a little disruptive to have this mass number of people come directly next to us in site 88 for their meals as they’d decided to make that site the meal prep site for breakfast (they started prep at 5:30 am) and dinner (we actually had to ask the drunk group to stop screaming at midnight) these were both well outside the “quiet hours” and definitely surpassed the “6 people per site” rule.

    Otherwise this campground is in a great location to see the area as it’s only approximately one-quarter mile north of Fallen Leaf Lake. The trail from the campground was only 3 sites over from us. The Taylor Creek Visitor Center is directly across Highway 89 and is a great location to talk to the Rangers about other potential hikes in the area. They also have interpretive programs, guided walks on the Rainbow Trail and to the Stream Profile Chamber (which was closed because someone decided to break it. Although it should be repaired now… end of September 2018). Also, nearby Baldwin Beaches or Pope Beach, which cost $10, or you can go to the Tallac Historic Site with tours and events at its historic buildings and grounds and the free (dog friendly) Kiva beach which is exactly the same as the other pay access beaches….

    There’s also a really nice paved bike trail that runs 3 miles along Highway 89 and can be used to access all of the above. You have access to excellent day hiking and backpacking in Desolation Wilderness via the Glen Alpine or Mt. Tallac trailheads which are also nearby.

  • Elliott B.
    Sep. 27, 2018

    Eagle Point Campground — Emerald Bay State Park

    Campground with a beautiful layout

    I walked through the seasonally closed Eagle Point Campground while exploring the Emerald Bay section of Lake Tahoe. This campground is a newly renovated area of the peninsula on the South/West side of the Emerald Bay State Park separated into Upper and Lower sections.

    Since the campground was closed we had to park on Highway 89 and walk through the campground to get to the Rubicon Trailhead which is located at the divider between the 2 camping sections.

    As we hiked through I was really blown away with the layout of the campground. I loved that these sites were almost a multi-leveled. Meaning that your tent site might be 10 feet lower than your picnic table, bear box, etc. or it could have a raised fire pit on a small bluff above the tent pad, table. Each site was unique, and this added to the separation between sites, so you’re not on the same level and directly next to your neighbors, adding to the feeling of being in the wilderness. (At least to me)

    Also, it should be pointed out that there were signs everywhere about using your bear boxes and that they’d fine you if you leave anything in your car. I know some people seem to have an issue with this for some reason…but I don’t want a bear roaming through any campground I’m staying at.

    There weren’t any sites that I saw which could hold an RV or 5th wheel, unless you have something under 18 feet… So maybe tents only, and there are no hookups. While I know I got a sterile experience since no one was actually camping, the campground was very clean and well maintained and the restrooms looked really nice. They had running water, flush toilets and pay showers ($1 per 3 minutes). The little amphitheater at the trailhead was cool and seemed ideally setup for presentations with incredible views of Lake Tahoe.

    While pets are allowed in the campground, they’re not allowed on the Emerald Bay SP trails or beaches. Sites are $35 and all are reservable 6 month out, so

Guide to Pollock Pines

Tent campsites near Pollock Pines, California offer outdoor experiences at elevations ranging from 3,100 to 5,000 feet, providing cooler summer temperatures than lower elevations. The region experiences seasonal closures at higher-elevation sites from November through May due to snowfall, with approximately 40 inches of annual precipitation. Most primitive camping areas require visitors to filter water from nearby streams or lakes.

What to do

Waterfall hikes: Access the trail to the 33-foot waterfall near Jenkinson Campground—Sly Park Recreation Area for swimming opportunities during warmer months. "We love this campground! The hike to the waterfall is wonderful and depending where you start depends on length. You have to see it though! 33ft and the perfect spot to swim when it warms up," notes camper Syd D.

Paddle boarding: Union Valley Reservoir provides calm waters for water sports with boat rental options available seasonally. "This was perfect. We brought our paddle board and we're walking distance to the lake front. Lake was quiet, trails well maintained and facilities were cleaned regularly," reports Brian H. about his experience at Jenkinson Lake.

Mountain biking: The network of trails connecting camping areas around Azalea Cove Campground provides options for cyclists of various skill levels. "Camped here via mountain bike with my 2 sons. Sites were empty, clean, had toilets, bear boxes and next to the lake," shares John H.

What campers like

Lakeside camping: Many campers appreciate the direct water access at Fashoda campground. "Perfect! Right on the water! Big sites lots of shaded areas. Great temperature outside of the valley!" according to camper Kristen S.

Secluded spots: The back sections of Jenkinson campground offer greater privacy for tent campers seeking solitude. "The real gems are further back into the campground where if you plan it right you can talk to nobody except your camp host," notes Jeff B., who also mentions "The small portion of the lake with no wake is ideal for kayaking, canoeing."

Wilderness immersion: Multi-day backpacking into Desolation Wilderness - Aloha Zone provides alpine lake experiences with minimal development. "One of my top 5 favorite place to go backpacking. Love the feeling of being immersed in nature and the views of all the lakes," states Arturo C., who utilized the water taxi service to reduce hiking distance.

What you should know

Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds in the area operate on limited schedules. Fashoda campground runs only from early June through late August, while others may open earlier but close with first snowfall. "Would have been great but, closed until June. Just drive down ice house road you will find lots of dispersed free camping," advises Toni K.

Permit requirements: Wilderness camping requires advance planning. For Desolation Wilderness, "You must obtain an overnight wilderness permit, year round. The permits have quotas enforced April through September. Permits cost $5 per person per night for first night, or $10.00 per person for 2+ nights (14 day max)," explains Les R.

Uneven terrain: Many tent sites in the area feature sloped ground that can affect sleeping comfort. "The sites were mostly all at a slant so it was a bit uncomfortable in terms of the sleep situation. There may have been some that were on normal level ground but from what we experienced and the ones we mainly saw they were not," reports Adventure M.

Tips for camping with families

Glamping options: For families new to camping or seeking more amenities, Camp Nauvoo offers a middle ground between roughing it and comfort. "This place is a hidden gem! It's beautiful, clean, and kid friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The hospitality was excellent," shares Beth G.

Transportation challenges: Some campsites require significant hiking to access, which may be difficult with young children. "Don't bring to much down cause you have to carry it back up lol learned my lesson! 1/2 mile hikish downs and back to vehicle," cautions Jamie A. about Azalea Cove Campground.

Campground programs: Family-oriented activities are available at certain sites. "The owners of this campground have made it there mission that you have a wonderful experience if you are a newbie or seasoned camper. Great sites for families and romantic sites for couples. Hiking, swimming, fishing and places for quiet time," notes Jeannie about Camp Nauvoo.

Tips from RVers

Spacing concerns: The front sections of Jenkinson Campground are more accommodating for RVs but can become crowded. "The front half of the lake is sometimes quite close quarters full of large RVs and campers," notes Jeff B., who recommends seeking sites further back for more privacy.

Water sports access: OARS American River Outpost Campground provides organized rafting activities combined with camping. "We stayed at the American River Outpost campground for a rafting tour with OARS a few years ago, and it was such a blast! This was our first time whitewater rafting, and it was a great experience," shares Momma H.

Alternative camping: For RVers wanting more seclusion than established campgrounds, dispersed camping options exist on Forest Service roads. "Just drive down ice house road you will find lots of dispersed free camping. No fire pits. Pack your stuff away please!" advises Toni K.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Hazel Creek Campground located in Sly Park near Pollock Pines?

Hazel Creek - Sly Park Recreation Area is located within the Sly Park Recreation Area near Pollock Pines, California. The campground sits along the shores of Jenkinson Lake (also called Sly Park Lake) in El Dorado County. It's one of several camping areas within the recreation area, alongside Jenkinson Campground—Sly Park Recreation Area. The campground features amenities including water access, toilets, and reservable sites, making it a popular destination for both tent campers and those looking to enjoy water activities on Jenkinson Lake.

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pollock Pines, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pollock Pines, CA is Jenkinson Campground—Sly Park Recreation Area with a 4.2-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Pollock Pines, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 92 tent camping locations near Pollock Pines, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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