Available sites
4 total sites
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About Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, CA)
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
River Access
Water Access
- Lake Access
- River Access
Rates, Sites & Availability
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Reviews (15)
What Guests Are Saying
Bear River Group Campground is a spacious and clean site ideal for group camping, offering plenty of shade and amenities like fresh water and picnic tables. The camp host, Steve, received praise for his friendliness and helpfulness, contributing to a positive experience for campers. While some found navigation to the site challenging, the beautiful surroundings and off-roading trails made it a worthwhile destination for families and friends.
What Guests Are Saying
Bear River Group Campground is a spacious and clean site ideal for group camping, offering plenty of shade and amenities like fresh water and picnic tables. The camp host, Steve, received praise for his friendliness and helpfulness, contributing to a positive experience for campers. While some found navigation to the site challenging, the beautiful surroundings and off-roading trails made it a worthwhile destination for families and friends.
Review Summary
suzanna p
VerifiedJune 30, 2025 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: KOKA
We reserved at 001, Koka( Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric )
Part of Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, CA)
Our party of 45 people had plenty of space between us and other campers. We had plenty of bear boxes and even a shed to load our ice chests in at night for safety. The rocks that lined our campsite made a great place for our kids to explore while giving us peace of mind. We brought our own grills but there is a huge grill there and a dish washing station. While the bathrooms are vaulted there was never a smell or any issues. The camp host STEVE was amazing and accommodating. He let us have our space after he came over to welcome us and answer all questions we had! This place was lovely and healing for our family who had not been together since a loss of a family member. We all came back refreshed and as the one who plans these yearly trips i have never received so much positive feedback.
We had no bees, no flies and no bugs!!
literally everyone got lost finding this site. If you follow the signs and drive further than you think the site should be you will find it. I promise.
Amber W
VerifiedJune 29, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: JUNC
Great group campsite!! Fresh water at the site. Counter top height tables made food prep pleasant. Plenty of picnic table space. Bathrooms just for your site. It was a great experience and the camp host, Steve, was friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!
huelon U
VerifiedJuly 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: JUNC
Steve the host was above kind courteous and professional went above and beyond to get the camp open for 125 campers what a stand up guy deserves a HUGE raise can't say enough about him and Mike great job fellas
Richard Z
VerifiedSeptember 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: KOKA
Awesome group campground. Great host. Be sure to walk out to the granite overlook of the lake.
Jimmy I
VerifiedAugust 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: SMOK
I absolutely love this campground for group camping and it’s priced reasonably!
Location & Directions for Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, CA)
Eldorado National Forest, Pioneer, CA 95666 United States
Elevation: 2,071 ft
Getting There
From Jackson, California, travel east on State Route 88 for 39 mi and turn right (south) on Bear River Road. Travel 2 mi to Y intersection and stay to the right side, going across the dam. Drive .5 mi past South Shore Campground to Bear Group Camp...
From Jackson, California, travel east on State Route 88 for 39 mi and turn right (south) on Bear River Road. Travel 2 mi to Y intersection and stay to the right side, going across the dam. Drive .5 mi past South Shore Campground to Bear Group Campground, which will be located on left side of road.
Highway access
Bear River Group Campground is accessible via State Route 88, which connects to other major roads in the region.
Policies & Rules
General
- 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
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Last updated: October 19, 2026
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Population: 1,155
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