Eldorado National Forest
From Recreation.gov
***NOTICE* - **Renovations have been completed and site numbers/locations have changed. Reservation booking dates have been delayed due to the change in inventory. Reservation release date is TBD.
Mormon Emigrant Trail Road (MET) Closed Until Further Notice
Feb. 26, 2026 UPDATE: The Mormon Emigrant Trail (MET) has been closed since Feb. 18 and will remain closed to all vehicle traffic (OHV, OSV, highway-legal) to support ongoing emergency operations necessary to restore power to the local community. The temporary closure will stay in effect until…
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. We recommend hikers and backpackers utilize this as…
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…
Downieville Downhill Closure Order
Closure of identified forest roads and trails for Downieville Downhill.
Castle Peak Avalanche Closure Termination
A closure order restricting public access to national forest lands in the Castle Peak area was terminated on Feb. 23, 2026.
PRESCRIBED FIRE NOTICE: McNair & Quail Landings - 59 acres
Tahoe National Forest is planning to conduct a prescribed burn in the Calpine area, conditions permitting. Smoke will be visible from Calpine, Sierraville, Loyalton and surrounding areas. Smoke may settle overnight in valleys, drainages, and throughout the surrounding communities. Smoke will…
Snow Grooming Updates
Tahoe National Forest has lifted the Castle Peak Avalanche Closure. The area was closed for public safety and to support search and rescue operations following an avalanche that occurred on Feb. 17. All victims have now been recovered. Individuals that choose to enter the area are encouraged to…
PRESCRIBED FIRE NOTICE: Nyack - 200 acres
Total acreage: 200 Ignition dates: Jan. 14 - Feb. 28, 2026 (tentative, weather dependent)Location: Forest Service Rd. 19 between Fulda Creek and North Fork Campground, County Rd. 6001K between Casa Loma recreation cabins and Euchre Bar TrailheadAboutThe Nyack Fuels Reduction Project aims to…
Sierraville Ranger District Trail Closure
Forest Trail 16E87 (Boca-Loyalton Trail) is closed for public health and safety.
Camping and Campfire Restrictions-Truckee and Sierraville Districts
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety and toprotect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Truckee and Sierraville RangerDistricts of the Tahoe National Forest. This Order is effective from July 1, 2025, through…
Highway 20 Area Camping Restrictions
To provide for public safety and to protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Tahoe National Forest.
14-day Camping Occupancy Restrictions
Camping on the Tahoe National Forest is limited to 14 days in a calendar year.
Hoke Valley- Forest Road 860-07 (17E11 Trail) Closed
Forest Road 860 -01 (17E11 Trail) in the Hoke Valley area has been closed to allow for Hoke Valley Meadow restoration.
From Recreation.gov
New reservations for Dru Barner are temporarily suspended. The campground is open on a first-come, first-served basis and generally has availability, even on weekends. Existing reservations will be honored.
From Recreation.gov
***Notice***- Wrights Lake Recreation Area will be undergoing some exciting renovations in 2026. While we do not have a full scope of work and timing to share yet, we want to inform the public that there may be some disruptions to their stay come the 2026 season. More details to follow.
From Recreation.gov
***Notice***- Wrights Lake Recreation Area will be undergoing some exciting renovations in 2026. While we do not have a full scope of work and timing to share yet, we want to inform the public that there may be some disruptions to their stay come the 2026 season. More details to follow.
Termination of High Hazard Fire Restrictions
Termination of Forest Order STF-16-2025-11High Hazard Fire RestrictionsStanislaus National Forest Stanislaus National Forest Order No. 2025-11, dated July 1, 2025, is hereby terminated.Done at Sonora, California this 20th day of October 2025. Brian McCroryForest SupervisorStanislaus National…
Termination of Moderate Hazard Fire Restrictions
Termination of Forest Order STF-16-2025-14Moderate Hazard Fire RestrictionsStanislaus National Forest Stanislaus National Forest Order No. 2025-14, dated August 20, 2025, is hereby terminated.Done at Sonora, California this 20th day of October 2025. Brian McCroryForest SupervisorStanislaus…
Temporary Road Closures
This Forest Order closes the below listed roads beginning Aug 7, expiring on Dec 31, 2026. Calaveras District Roads (Exhibit A):• Forest Road No. 4N40• Forest Road No. 4N80Y (Candy Rock Road), from the gate at approximately 3.5 miles fromHighway 4 then continuing to its terminus. 36 CFR…
Stanislaus National Forest Terminates Deer Valley Road Closures Early
With the publication of the Termination Notice, Deer Valley Road, FSR 8N02 between the Stanislaus and ElDorado National Roads previously closed under Forest Order STF-16-2025-08 is now open.Any questions or concerns should be directed to Forest Public Affairs Officer, Benjamin…
Termination Notice - FO STF-16-2025-10
With this termination, roads previously closed by Forest Order STF-16-2025 10 are now open.
Forest Order STF-16-2025-03 - Mtn. Tunnel Project - FSR 1S28B repair/closure
Mtn. Tunnel Project - FSR 1S28B repair/closure
Forest Order STF-16-2025-02 - Rainbow Pool Area Alcohol Prohibition
Rainbow Pool Area Alcohol Prohibition
From Recreation.gov
Winter guests take on a more challenging adventure and must traverse an approx. 6-mile trek with a 1,300-foot elevation gain to reach the bunkhouse. The route is marked by blue reflective diamonds and this journey is for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers only. Winter vehicle access on Cheesecamp Rd. from Jan. 1 through May 15 is restricted by snow. Winter user access is from the Loon Lake Campground vehicle pull out.
From Recreation.gov
Water Outage: No drinking water or flush toilets are available at this campground. Portable toilets are available but campers must supply all drinking water. Please plan accordingly.
From Recreation.gov
Winter snow conditions in effect. The lower gate to Robbs Hut has been closed for the season. Renters need to be prepared to access Robbs Hut 3 miles by skis or snowshoes through snow conditions.
Overview
Eldorado National Forest is open and accessible, spanning elevations from 1,500 to 10,000 feet across the Sierra Nevada west of Lake Tahoe. Fire restrictions are currently not in effect, allowing wood, charcoal, and gas fires with proper permits (campfire permits not required in developed campgrounds). Key current conditions: Loon Lake Campground and Trailhead is closed for the season for reconstruction, though the boat ramp remained open for day use through Labor Day before closing for construction. Trash service in the Crystal Basin area ended October 20, 2025 for winter—pack out all trash. Bear-proof containers are mandatory for food storage in Desolation Wilderness. Seasonal closures and restrictions apply to the wilderness areas (Desolation and Mokelumne) including year-round campfire prohibitions and specific camping/occupancy restrictions along the PCT corridor. The forest offers 400 miles of trails, abundant fishing lakes and streams, and easy access via Highways 50 and 88 from Sacramento and the Bay Area. Be prepared for sudden weather changes due to elevation variations.
Top Campgrounds
- Alder Ridge Lookout
- Bear River Group Campground
- Black Oak
- Camino Cove Campground
- Caples Lake Campground
- Capps Crossing
- China Flat Campground
- Fashoda
- Ice House
- Jones Fork Campground
- Lone Rock Campground
- Loon Lake Equestrian Group Campground
- Martin Meadow Campground
- Middle Fork Cosumnes Campground
- Mokelumne Campground
- Northwind Campground
- Pardoes Point Campground
- Pipi Campground
- Sand Flat Campground
- Silver Fork Campground
- Silver Lake East Campground
- South Shore Campground
- Sugar Pine Point Campground
- Sunset-union Valley
- Wench Creek
- White Azalea Campground
- Wrights Lake
- Wrights Lake Equestrian Campground
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