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.

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.

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