South Shore Campground
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.
Winter Storm Warning issued November 12 at 12:12PM PST until November 14 at 10:00AM PST by NWS Sacramento CA
* WHAT...Snow is expected for elevations above 6000 feet. Total snow accumulations 6 to 12 inches, with up to 18 inches at the highest peaks. Minor accumulations of around an 2 inch possible down to 5000 feet. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph. * WHERE...Northern Sierra above 6000 feet, including Highway 50, Interstate 80, State Route 4, State Route 108, Southern Cascades above 6000 feet, including Lassen National Park. * WHEN...From 10 AM Friday to 10 AM PST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions will impact the Friday evening commute. Strong winds could cause downed tree branches, localized power outages, and reduced visibilities. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels 6500 to 7500 feet Friday, dropping to 5500 to 6000 feet Saturday morning. Heaviest snowfall expected late Friday morning into the overnight hours. Light flurries to 2 inches possible down to 5000 feet with higher accumulations remaining above 6000 feet. Lull in activity Saturday afternoon through Sunday, followed by additional snow Sunday night through Monday.
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.…
Barrett Lake 4x4 Trail is Open
Using any motor vehicle on the trail during this time period.
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
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