Airport Flat Campground
Closed for the season. Typically opens in early June and remains open through October. No fees or reservations required.
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.
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
Airport Flat Campground sits at 5,300 feet elevation in the Crystal Basin area of Eldorado National Forest. The campground is a favorite staging area for off-highway vehicle recreationists, providing direct access to the legendary Rubicon 4WD Trail and a network of OHV-accessible forest roads. Sites are arranged into pods that can accommodate groups of 15 to 25 people. This is a primitive, no-fee campground operating on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. Facilities include vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings with grills, bear boxes for food storage, and trash disposal. There is no potable water on-site; nearby river water must be boiled or filtered before drinking. A dump station is available at the Loon Lake boat ramp. Campers are limited to a 14-day stay per district per year. Check-in is at 2:00 PM and check-out at 1:00 PM. Single sites are limited to 2 vehicles and 6 people. Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash at all times. All OHVs require spark arrestors, proper safety helmets, and Green Sticker registration.
Directions
23 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50, then 24 miles north on Ice House Road (Forest Road 3), and 3 miles north on Forest Road 33.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (530) 644-2324 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!