Tells Creek Equestrian Camp
Open year-round for first-come, first-served primitive camping. No fee, no reservations. Road access depends on snow conditions; Tells Creek Road typically opens by late spring.
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.…
Mormon Emigrant Trail Winter Vehicle Use Road Closure
Winter snow closure to passenger vehicles in effect per Mormon Emigrant Trail Winter Vehicle Use Forest Order 03-26-01.
Help Halt Golden Mussel Invasion
The non-native, highly invasive golden mussel was discovered in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in October 2024. Once established, they can affect flood control by reducing water flow and contribute to harmful algal blooms. Please contact the waterbody you plan to visit for latest information about…
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…
About
Tells Creek Equestrian Camp is a primitive, no-fee campground designed specifically for equestrian users in the Crystal Basin area of Eldorado National Forest. Situated at 6,300 feet elevation near Van Vleck Trailhead, the camp provides direct access to Desolation Wilderness via the Tells Creek Primitive Equestrian Trail. The remote setting offers a quiet basecamp for multi-day backcountry horse trips. The campground has minimal amenities consistent with its primitive designation. Vault toilets are provided, but there is no potable water, so all water must be packed in. Access is via a narrow paved road to Robbs Saddle, then 6 miles on Tells Creek Road (Forest Road 13N22), with dirt internal roads within the camp. The narrow access and primitive nature make this site best suited for horse trailers rather than large RVs. Being located in the Sierra Nevada high country, road access is typically seasonal depending on snow conditions. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations required.
Directions
From Placerville, drive about 20 miles east on Highway 50 and turn left onto Ice House Road. Travel north approximately 20 miles to Robbs Saddle, then turn right (east) onto Tells Creek Road (signed as Tells Creek Horse Camp/Desolation Wilderness trailhead/Forest Road 13N22). Continue 6 miles to the parking area on the right.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (530) 622-5061 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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