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A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service group campground

South Fork Group

Forest Service group campground in Eldorado National Forest, El Dorado County, California. About 5,200 feet. 22.7 miles from South Lake Tahoe.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Eldorado National Forest
Elevation
About 5,200 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
1 1 group standard area non-electric
Longest rig
50 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
El Dorado County

Overview

South Fork is the largest group campground in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area, nestled in the vast expanse of the Eldorado National Forest. The remote location affords visitors a true outdoor camping experience.

Recreation

With the South Fork of the Rubicon River located within walking distance, the group camp provides excellent fishing, swimming and other water sports and activities.

Facilities

While the campground can be used as a single group site that can accommodate up to 125 guests, it can also be reserved as multiple single-family sites.

A group cooking area with food preparation tables and double grills is available, as well as campfire rings with grills at each site. Vault toilets are provided, however, drinking water is not available at the campground. Visitors can boil stream water or fill up at nearby boat ramps. A parking area is also available.

Natural Features

Situated at an elevation of 5,200 feet, the campground sits between the Union Valley Reservoir and Loon Lake.

It is also just minutes away from Gerle Creek Reservoir, a serene mountain lake where motorized boating is prohibited in order to preserve a peaceful and quiet atmosphere for visitors.

Nearby Attractions

Swimming and non-motorized boating are available at Gerle Creek Reservoir, 5 miles north of the campground.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • hunting
  • swimming site

The land around South Fork Group

The ringed pin is this group campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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