Bear River Reservoir

South Shore Campground

Closed

Currently closed for the season. Scheduled to open June 5, 2026. Operating season runs June through September. Reservations available through Recreation.gov. Maximum stay is 14 days per district annually.

National Forest System Roads

Follow California Vehicle Code on National Forest System Roads

Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited

Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…

Mormon Emigrant Trail Winter Vehicle Use Road Closure

Winter snow closure to passenger vehicles in effect per Mormon Emigrant Trail Winter Vehicle Use Forest Order 03-26-01.

Help Halt Golden Mussel Invasion

The non-native, highly invasive golden mussel was discovered in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in October 2024. Once established, they can affect flood control by reducing water flow and contribute to harmful algal blooms. Please contact the waterbody you plan to visit for latest information about…

Daily Burn Status

Burn Day Status: El Dorado County: (530) 621-5897Burn Day Status: Amador County: (209) 223-6246Fires do not stop at agency boundaries, nor do the agencies fighting them. The forest cooperates with other federal, state, and local partners in fire management activities. These relationships foster a…

Barrett Lake 4 X 4 Trail Motor Vehicle Prohibition

Barrett Lake Jeep trail closed to motor vehicle use in the winter.

Trash service ending for the winter in Crystal Basin on Oct. 20, 2025

Trash service within the Crystal Basin area is ending on Oct. 20, 2025, for the winter season. Please pack-out all trash with you when visiting.

Camping Occupancy Restrictions

Camping and Occupancy Restrictions for Desolation Wilderness, Mokelumne Wilderness and the Pacific Crest Trail that runs through the Eldorado National Forest boundary.

Desolation Wilderness Food and Refuse Storage Restriction

Possessing or storing any food in Desolation Wilderness unless it is in a bear proof container.

03-25-01 Silver Bear Wheeled Vehicle Closure

Using a motorized wheeled vehicle on roads and trails in Silver Bear Snowmobile Trail System

Deer Valley Trail (19E01) & Meadow Lake Road (09N01)

Motor vehicle use restricted in these areas during snowmelt. See Forest Order Exhibit A for area map.

Horse Canyon Trail (17E21) Closure

This order prohibits use of a motorcycle or motor-driven bicycle on this trail.

Occupancy and Use Restrictions - Desolation Wilderness Area

Prohibited acts within Desolation Wilderness.

Mokelumne Wilderness Restricted Use

Prohibited acts within the Mokelumne Wilderness.

Travel Management Designation

Routes designated in Travel Management Subpart B are included as part of the current road system. Allows highway legal and non-highway legal motor vehicle use by the public on 1,002 miles of Maintenance Level 2 native surfaced roads. In addition, there are 635 miles of surfaced roads suitable…

About

South Shore Campground is located next to Lower Bear River Reservoir in Eldorado National Forest in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains at 5,900 feet elevation. The campground is nestled in a mixed conifer forest on a hillside just above the south shore, with some sites offering partial lake views through the trees. The 22 campsites include standard sites, two double sites, one triple site, and two walk-in tent sites. Lower Bear River Reservoir covers 166 acres with 2.5 miles of shoreline. Activities include fishing for rainbow, brown, and mackinaw trout, swimming, boating, canoeing, and picnicking. A boat ramp is located within a mile of the campground. Bear River Resort, about a mile away on the north side of the reservoir, offers a restaurant, store, boat rentals, fishing licenses, dump station, and showers. The Pardoe Trail can be accessed a short distance past nearby Upper Bear River Reservoir and borders Mokelumne Wilderness. The area experiences a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.

Directions

From Pioneer, CA, take State Route 88 east 21.9 miles to Bear River Lake Resort sign. Turn left at the sign and go 3.4 miles to campground on right side of the road. Alternatively, 40 miles east of Jackson and 3.5 miles south of Highway 88 via Bear River Road.

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $36 - $72

Vehicle

Max RV Length 35ft
Max Trailer Length 35ft
Big Rig Friendly
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (209) 295-4360

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Bear River Reservoir
Turn Off From Road
Bear River Reservoir
Bear River Reservoir

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