Middle Fork Cosumnes Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. Opens in June and operates through September. Summer season includes garbage service and restroom cleaning.
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 10 at 10:34AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Sacramento CA
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. 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. Wind gusts as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada and Western Plumas County/Lassen Park Counties. * WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 11 PM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the this evenings commute and weekend mountain travel. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels generally remain above pass levels through this afternoon, dropping to around 6000-7000 ft tonight-Saturday, then lowering to around 4000-5000 ft Sunday. Heavy snowfall rates of 1-2 inch per hour, with the heaviest snowfall Saturday afternoon through Sunday.
About
Middle Fork Cosumnes Campground is a seasonal campground operated by Royal Elk Park Management in the Eldorado National Forest's Amador Ranger District. Located at 5,600 feet elevation along the Middle Fork of the Cosumnes River, the campground provides access to river fishing and a peaceful Sierra Nevada forest setting. The campground offers 19 sites total, including standard tent sites and double sites that can accommodate larger groups or RVs. The campground is primitive with vault toilets and no potable water, though river water is available for boiling or filtering. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and bear box for food storage, which is essential in this active bear habitat. Garbage service and restroom cleaning are provided during the summer season, and a campground host is on-site. The Middle Fork Annex, located about 400 feet downstream, provides additional camping spots with tables, fire rings, and garbage cans, though users must walk or drive to the main campground to access toilets. Access to the campground requires driving 32 miles east of Jackson on Highway 88, then 8 miles north on Forest Road 63 (Cat Creek Road). The campground operates from June through September with check-in at 2:00 p.m. and check-out at 1:00 p.m. Sites are limited to 2 vehicles and 6 people for single units, or 4 vehicles and 12 people for double units. Pets are allowed on leash, and campfires may be restricted during fire season.
Directions
From Jackson, drive 32 miles east on Highway 88. Turn north on Forest Road 63 (Cat Creek Road) and continue 8 miles to the campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| 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 |
| Price | $30 - $60 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (209) 259-3774 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Middle Fork Cosumnes Campground | |
| View on Recreation.gov |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!