South Shore Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. Operates June through September. Check-in is 2:00 p.m., check-out is 1:00 p.m.
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.
Loon Lake Campground and Trailhead are Closed for Reconstruction
The Loon Lake Campground and Trailhead is closed this season for reconstruction. The boatramp is open for day use only though Labor Day weekend and then it will close for construction. The water system will not be operational during this time.
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.
About
South Shore Campground is located next to Lower Bear River Reservoir in the Eldorado National Forest of the central Sierra Nevada Mountains at 5,900 feet elevation. The campground features 22 campsites nestled in a mixed conifer forest on a hillside just above the south shore of the reservoir, with some sites offering partial views of the lake through the trees. The 166-acre Lower Bear River Reservoir has 2.5 miles of shoreline and offers excellent opportunities for fishing, swimming, boating, canoeing, and picnicking. Anglers can catch rainbow, brown, and mackinaw trout. A boat ramp is located within a mile of the campground at Bear River Resort, which also provides restaurant service, a store, boat rentals, fishing licenses, a dump station, and showers for a fee. The area experiences a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters. The Pardoe Trail can be accessed a short distance past nearby Upper Bear River Reservoir and borders the Mokelumne Wilderness, providing excellent hiking opportunities. The campground includes a mix of tent sites, tent/trailer/RV sites, and walk-in tent sites, with vault toilets and potable water available during the operating season.
Directions
From Pioneer, CA, take State Route 88 east 21.9 miles to Bear River Lake Resort sign. Turn left at the sign and go 3.4 miles to campground on right side of the road. The campground is 40 miles east of Jackson and 3.5 miles south of Highway 88 via Bear River 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 |
| Price | $36 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 35ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 35ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (209) 295-4360 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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