Ponderosa Cove Campground

About

Ponderosa Cove Group Campground sits just east of the dam at Stumpy Meadows Reservoir in Eldorado National Forest, at an elevation of 4,400 feet. The campground is named for the towering ponderosa pines that shade the sites, known for their distinctive vanilla-scented bark. The single group site accommodates up to 75 people with five parking spurs suitable for RVs and trailers, each with a picnic table, plus ten walk-to tent pads with parallel parking along the loop. Stumpy Meadows Reservoir provides excellent opportunities for swimming and fishing for brown and rainbow trout. Boating is permitted but this is a no-wake lake. The surrounding Eldorado National Forest offers over 400 miles of hiking trails. Nearby attractions include the El Dorado County Scenic Highway and Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. The campground operates seasonally from late May through early September. Bears are active in the area, so proper food storage is essential. Firewood must be purchased locally or campers may use dead and down wood. The maximum stay is 14 days per district per calendar year. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov.

Directions

From Placerville, take Highway 49 north for half a mile and turn right on Highway 193 toward Georgetown. In Georgetown, turn right on Main Street and drive approximately 14 miles to the campground. Ponderosa Cove is north of the Stumpy Meadows Boat Ramp.