Loon Lake Campground Eldorado National Forest California

Loon Lake Overview

Loon Lake Campground has 65 campsites and is located near the south shore of Loon Lake, and just 10 miles west (as the crow files) of Lake Tahoe.

The newly renovated (2025) campground is generally open early June to early October. Amenities include potable (drinking) water, vault toilets and trash collection (dumpsters). Firewood is available to purchase from the friendly camp host. Cell service is not available. There’s also a day use/ picnic area, boat ramp and boat trailer lot next to the campground. There is not a working RV dump station at Loon Lake campground. The nearest RV dumpstation is at Sunset Campground (18.4 miles).

Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVS.  Ten of the sites are designated for equestrian (horse) campers only and one of these is a group site. There’s also two other group campsites (non-equestrian). Group site #1 can accommodate up to 50 people and 15 vehicles and group site #2 can accommodate up to 25 people and 10 vehicles. Hookups are not available in the campground, but each site has parking spur (ranging in size from 25 to 50 feet), a table, foot storage locker (bear box), fire ring and grill.

Loon Lake Campground – Area Recreation & Activities

Outdoor recreation in the area includes boating, kayaking, fishing, swimming, water sports, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, stargazing, picnicking and wildlife viewing. OHV trail riding is also popular in the area. The 18-mile Rubicon Jeep Trail begins nearby. An exciting stretch of scenic, un-maintained, rocky road awaits off-road thrill seekers.

Other campgrounds in the area include Northshore – Loon Lake, Loon Lake Recreation Site, Red Fir, Yellowjacket and Wolf Creek.

Make a Reservation for Loon Lake

Amenities

• BBQ Grills
• Boat Launch/Ramp
• Boat Trailer Lot
• Campground Host
• Campsite Tables
• Cell Service - None
• Drinking Water
• Dumpsters
• Equestrian Facilities
• Equestrian trail
• Fire Pit
• Fire Rings
• Firewood Available
• Food Storage Locker
• Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
• Grills
• Pets OK
• Picnic Tables
• Trash Collection

Activities

• ATVing
• Backpacking
• Bird Watching
• Boating
• Canoeing
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Horseback riding
• Jet Skiing
• Kayaking
• Mountain Biking
• OHVing
• OTV Trails/Riding
• Paddle boarding (SUP)
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Stargazing
• Water Skiing
• Water Sports
• Wildlife Viewing