
Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca)
Eldorado National Forest, California
Sold out? We check Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) for cancellations and email you the moment a site opens.
Cancellation alerts
Sold out for your dates?
Free to start. Email alerts included.
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
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
| Site | Loop | Type | Sleeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 003 | CHIP | Tent | 25 |
| 002 | JUNC | Tent | 25 |
| 001 | KOKA | Tent | 50 |
| 004 | SMOK | Tent | 25 |
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.
More campgrounds in Eldorado National Forest
Same forest, same drive. Set an alert on any of them alongside this one.
- Loon Lake Chalet campground availability1 site
- Black Oak campground reservations4 sites
- is Capps Crossing campground open10 sites
- Harvey West Cabin availability1 site
- Middle Meadows campground reservations2 sites
- is Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca) open25 sites
Campgrounds
Browse Campsites
Monitor campsite availability across federal and state parks. Get alerts when sites open up at sold-out campgrounds.
California
8 popular campgrounds
- Atwell Mill Campground
- Buckeye Flat Campground
- Canyon View Group Sites
- Cold Springs Campground (Ca)
- Crystal Springs Campground (Ca)
- Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites
- Death Valley Backcountry Roadside Camping
- Indian Cove Group Campground
Oregon
8 popular campgrounds
- Little Crater Lake Campground
- Cave Creek Campground
- Acorn Woman Lakes Campground
- Big Lake West Campground
- Bolan Lake Campground
- Cavitt Creek Falls Recreation Site
- Clearwater Falls Campground
- Cultus Lake Boat In - West Campground
Utah
8 popular campgrounds
- Canyonlands National Park Needles District Campground
- Devils Garden Campground
- Natural Bridges Campground
- North Campground (Ut)
- South Campground (Ut)
- Sunset Campground (Ut)
- Watchman Campground
- Anderson Meadow Campground (Fishlake NF, Ut)
Ohio
8 popular campgrounds
- Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Grand Lake West Bank Marina
- Kiser Lake State Park Kiser Lake Grandview Area Tie Ups Campground
- Lake Logan State Park Lake Logan Marina Beach 1-18 Campground
- Lake Loramie State Park Earls Island Dock Back Campground
- Pike Lake State Park Pike Lake Cabins and Day Use Shelters
- Scioto Trail State Park Stewart Lake Campground
- Buck Creek State Park G Dock Campground
- Buckeye Lake State Park Fairfield Beach a Docks Campground
Minnesota
8 popular campgrounds
- Cass Lake Loop Campground
- Fenske Lake Campground
- Glacial Lakes State Park Lower Campground
- Jeanette Lake Campground
- Lake Bronson State Park Lakeside Extension Campground
- Lake Maria State Park Backpack Campsites
- Lake Shetek State Park Prairie Campground
- Maplewood State Park Grass Lake Campground: Hollow Loop
One tick helps us more than youโd think
Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our campground pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Takes less than a minute.