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.

Eldorado National Forest

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.

Eldorado National Forest

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…

Eldorado National Forest

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…

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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