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.
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.
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.
Winter Storm Warning issued April 10 at 8:21AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Reno NV
* WHAT...Heavy snow. Snow accumulations between 6 to 10 inches for communities surrounding Lake Tahoe and up to 7000 feet, and 12 to 28 inches above 7000 feet and for Sierra passes. Winds gusting as high as 90 mph along the Sierra crest and 20-35 mph for communities surrounding Lake Tahoe. * WHERE...Greater Lake Tahoe Area. * WHEN...From 2 PM Saturday to 11 PM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible, especially for the Saturday evening and Sunday morning commutes. Strong winds could cause damage to trees and power lines.
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.
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…
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.…
Downieville Downhill Closure Order
Closure of identified forest roads and trails for Downieville Downhill.
Big Chief Sale Closure
This order closes forest system roads and trails within the Big Chief project area. This closure is to provide for public safety while 675 acres of forest are treated to enhance wildfire defense in the area.
Parking Restrictions
Parking or leaving a vehicle is prohibited on Tahoe National Forest where posted.
PRESCRIBED FIRE NOTICE: Sierraville Piles – 12.5 acres
Tahoe National Forest is planning to conduct a 12.5-acre prescribed burn southwest of Sierraville near the Nichols Mill area, conditions permitting. Smoke will be visible from Sierraville, southern Sierra Valley and surrounding areas. Air quality conditions are forecasted to be favorable through…
PRESCRIBED FIRE NOTICE: Camptonville – 43 acres
Tahoe National Forest is planning to conduct a 43-acre prescribed off Old Camptonville Road in Camptonville, Calif. tomorrow, April 10, 2026.Smoke will be visible from Camptonville, Old Camptonville Road and Hwy 49 and adjacent areas.Project: Camp Unit JJType of burn: Pile burnTotal…
14-day Camping Occupancy Restrictions
Camping on the Tahoe National Forest is limited to 14 days in a calendar year.
2026-27 OHV Grant Applications Notice of Public Review and Comment Opportunity
This grant cycle the Tahoe National Forest will be submitting grant applications for:Ground Operations (OHV trails and facilities maintenance)Law EnforcementEducation and Safety – Focused education at Tahoe NF OHV “Hotspots” through Forest Service personnel, Volunteer Trail Rangers and…
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
Grooming operations have ceased pending new storms. Conditions are more like late April/May than March. Expect running water and thin snow coverage. Trailhead location for Little Truckee Summit staging is currently at the Perazzo turnoff. GROOMING PROGRAM: Snowmobile trail grooming is funded by…
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
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.
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.…
Forest Order No. STF-16-2026-02 Cottonwood Temporary Road Closure
Cottonwood Road Temporary Closure for storm damage repairs
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
(The following two sentences are in Spanish relaying information on the importance of this notice. Translated to English, it would read as follows: [This notice contains important information regarding your drinking water, please read the Spanish notice if it is included. If the Spanish notice is…
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…
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
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
- Azalea Cove Campground
- Bear River Group Campground
- Big Silver Group
- Bridal Veil Group Area And Picnic Ground
- Camino Cove Campground
- Caples Lake Campground
- Capps Crossing
- China Flat Campground
- Dru Barner Campground
- Ice House
- Loon Lake
- 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
- Strawberry Point Campground
- Sugar Pine Point Campground
- Sunset Group Campground
- Tells Creek Equestrian Camp
- Wench Creek
- White Azalea Campground
- Wrights Lake Equestrian Campground
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