Lovers Leap Campground
Closed — Closed for the winter season. The campground typically operates from late spring through early fall, weather and snow conditions permitting. Highway 50 remains open year-round, but the campground facilities are not staffed or maintained during winter months.
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.…
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…
Winter Storm Warning issued April 9 at 11:46AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Sacramento CA
* WHAT...Heavy snow. Total snow accumulations 1 to 2 feet above 4500 feet, with up to 3 to 4 feet at the highest peaks. Minor snowfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches down to 4000 feet. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada and Western Plumas County/Lassen Park above 4500 feet. * WHEN...From 5 PM Friday to 11 PM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute and weekend mountain travel. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels generally remain above pass levels through Friday afternoon, dropping to around 6000-7000 ft Friday night-Saturday, then lowering to around 4000-5000 ft late Saturday into Sunday. Heaviest snow rates and lowest snow levels will be Saturday afternoon through Sunday.
About
Lovers Leap Campground is a walk-in tent-only facility with 21 single-family campsites situated near the South Fork of the American River in Eldorado National Forest. The campground takes its name from the towering Lovers Leap granite cliff, which rises nearly 600 feet and is visible from the camping area. This impressive rock face is one of the premier climbing destinations in the Sierra Nevada, attracting climbers to its classic routes year-round when conditions permit. Located along the scenic Highway 50 corridor at approximately 5,800 feet elevation, the campground is positioned about 43 miles east of Placerville and half a mile east of Strawberry Lodge on Strawberry Lodge Road. The walk-in nature of the sites means campers must carry gear from the parking area to their designated campsite, creating a more intimate camping experience while still providing developed amenities. During the operating season, the campground provides drinking water from faucets and vault toilet facilities. Each campsite is equipped with bear-proof food storage, a fire pit, and picnic table. The proximity to the South Fork American River offers opportunities for fishing and enjoying the sounds of flowing water, while the surrounding forest provides shade and a classic Sierra Nevada mountain atmosphere. The campground serves both as a destination for those seeking a peaceful tent camping experience and as a base camp for climbers tackling the routes on Lovers Leap.
Directions
From Placerville, travel 43 miles east on Highway 50. Turn south onto Strawberry Lodge Road, located 0.5 miles east of Strawberry Lodge. The campground entrance is a short distance down this road.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (530) 622-5061 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Useful Links
| Lovers Leap Campground | |
| View on Recreation.gov |
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