
South Shore Campground
Eldorado National Forest, California
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As of October 2026, South Shore Campground is a campground in Eldorado National Forest, California with 11 campsites. South Shore Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.
- PermitSnag checks South Shore Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
- South Shore Campground is located at 38.5331ยฐ N, 120.2347ยฐ W.
- people allowed on 7 of 11 sites
- 6
- people allowed on the largest site
- 18
South Shore Campground reservations and next available dates
October 2026
Campsites at South Shore Campground
- Standard 7
- Tent 4
What an RV fits
- 25 ft3 sites
- 35 ft4 sites
Amenities
- restrooms
- potable water
At a glance: Setting: Mountain.
Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife, photography, stargazing.
All sites at South Shore Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov
Every site is in the AREA SOUTH SHORE CAMPGROUND loop.
| Site | Type | Sleeps | Max RV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | 12 | 25 ft |
| 005 | Tent | 6 | - |
| 006 | Standard | 6 | 25 ft |
| 007 | Standard | 6 | 35 ft |
| 011 | Standard | 12 | 25 ft |
| 016 | Standard | 12 | 35 ft |
| 017 | Standard | 6 | 35 ft |
| 018 | Tent | 6 | - |
| 019 | Standard | 18 | 35 ft |
| 021 | Tent | 6 | - |
| 022 | Tent | 6 | - |
About South Shore Campground
Overview
South Shore Campground is located next to Lower Bear River Reservoir in the Eldorado National Forest the central Sierra Nevada Mountains. It's a prime location for fishing and boating.
Recreation
Lower Bear Reservoir covers 166 acres and has 2.5 miles of shoreline.
Activities include fishing, swimming, boating, canoeing and picnicking. Anglers may catch rainbow, brown and mackinaw trout. A boat ramp is located within a mile of the campground.
The Pardoe Trail can be accessed a short distance past nearby Upper Bear River Reservoir, and borders Mokelumne Wilderness.
Facilities
Each campsite comes with a picnic table and grill. One campsite is accessible, as is one of the vault toilets. Drinking water is provided.
A general store is about a mile from the campground on the northern part of the reservoir.
Natural Features
The campground is nestled in a mixed conifer forest on a hillside just above the south shore of Lower Bear River Reservoir at an elevation of 5,900 feet. Some campsites offer partial views of the lake through the trees.
A Mediterranean climate extends over most of the forest, with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.
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: A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refunds for a cancelled reservation.
- 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 4 days before your arrival date. A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (see Late Cancellation below).
- Late Cancellation: If you cancel your reservation too close to the start date, additional service fees may be withheld.
Rules and notices at South Shore Campground
Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check South Shore Campground on Recreation.gov
Notices from Recreation.gov
Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers
Keep family pets on a leash at all times.
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)
Please Note : One (1) vehicle per single site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee.
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.
Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests. Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
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).
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.
Click here for more information on Eldorado National Forest
There is a fee to move from a reserved site to a first come first serve site. Site Transfer Policy
South Shore Campground FAQ
How hard is it to get a campsite at South Shore Campground?
South Shore Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 11 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.
How do I find last-minute availability at South Shore Campground?
Cancellations happen frequently at South Shore Campground, 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 South Shore Campground have?
South Shore Campground has 11 campsites.
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