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Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) in California
Moderate to BookNational Forest

Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca)

Eldorado National Forest, California

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As of October 2026, Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) is a campground in Eldorado National Forest, California with 4 campsites. Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) is located at 38.5339ยฐ N, 120.2189ยฐ W.
people allowed on 3 of 4 sites
25
people allowed on the largest site
50

Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Campsites at Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca)

  • Tent 4

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Forest.

Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife, photography, stargazing.

All sites at Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca), as listed by Recreation.gov

SiteLoopTypeSleeps
003CHIPTent25
002JUNCTent25
001KOKATent50
004SMOKTent25

About Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca)

Overview

The Bear River Group Campground offers four separate group campsites on a site above the south side of the Lower Bear River Reservoir. The proximity to water and the mixed pine setting in the fresh Sierra Nevada air, makes this campground an excellent group retreat destination.

Upriver from the campground is the Upper Bear River Reservoir. This lake is smaller and spans 166 surface acres with 2.5 miles of shoreline.

Recreation

Lake activities include fishing, swimming, boating, canoeing and picnicking on the shores. Rainbow trout are found in abundance throughout the season, in addition to smaller populations of brown and mackinaw trout as well.

A short distance past the Upper Bear River Reservoir is the Pardoe Trail, which borders the Mokelumne Wilderness. The trail runs up the top of Squaw Ridge to an elevation of over 9,000 feet, providing excellent views of the surrounding area.

Facilities

The campground is designed for tent camping only. Campstie 1 fits 50 people while the other three sites accommodate 25. Piped drinking water, vault toilets, picnic tables, campfire rings and a group cooking area are among the amenities.

Natural Features

Bear Group Campground is situated an elevation of 6,000 feet, just a short distance (approximately one mile drive) from the reservoir.

It is part of the Eldorado National Forest located in the central Sierra Nevada. A Mediterranean climate extends over most of the forest with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.

Nearby Attractions

Restaurants, boat rentals and a general store are within a few miles of the campground.

Charges & Cancellations

  • Recreation Fee: Recreation fees are the fees a visitor pays for things like overnight camping, a day-use pavilion, group facilities, a tour or a permit. Recreation fees vary by location and/or activity.
  • Reservation Fee: A fee may be charged at the time a reservation is made to cover the cost of reservation services. This fee is in addition to the Recreation Fee and is non-refundable. Fees for camping, day use, group sites, cabins and lookouts: $8 if made on-line; $9 if made through the call center; $3 if made in-person.
  • Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes.
  • Cancellation Fee: Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee..
  • Cut-Off Window: The latest date and/or time that you can make an advanced reservation or a change to an existing reservation. Cut-off windows can vary by location, but are typically 14 days before your arrival date.
  • Late Cancellation: If you cancel your reservation too close to the start date, additional service fees may be withheld.

Rules and notices at Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca)

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 28, 2026. Check Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers

Motorized boats are not allowed on lake

Forest Order No. 19-15-01: Prohibits camping for a combined total of no more than 14 days during a calendar year (January-December), forest-wide. Visitors may book campsites annually but the maximum stay may not exceed a total of 14 days each calendar year (January-December)

Refunds : Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).

Fire Restrictions : Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. Call (530) 644-6048 for local information and conditions.

Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

For more information on Eldorado National Forest, click here

Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca)?

Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 4 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca)?

Cancellations happen frequently at Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca), especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) have?

Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) has 4 campsites.

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