California · published-coordinate region

Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, CA)

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USDA Forest Service
4Supported overnight records
1Published site categories
4Sites with a reported party limit
A useful starting point, not a fit guarantee. Site-specific warnings are absent from this export. Published lengths may include a tow vehicle. Check the official site page for current notes, restrictions, approach and configuration before booking. No live availability is shown.

A closer look at the campground

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.

Full operator-supplied campground description · Scroll within the panel for more · Amenities may be shared by the campground, not present at every site

How much is documented?

Reported fields across the 4 supported campsite records here. A reported value can still need interpretation; missing values remain unknown in the planner.

Party limit
4
Vehicle limit
0
Vehicle length
0
Driveway entry
0
Shade
4

Bars show counts, not a quality, accessibility or suitability score.

The campsite mix

Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
4

Operator directions

From Jackson, California, travel east on State Route 88 for 39 miles and turn right (south) on Bear River Road. Travel 2 miles to Y intersection and stay to the right side, going across the dam. Drive .5 miles past South Shore Campground to Bear Group Campground, which will be located on left side of road.

Campground-level source text. Confirm the current route and road conditions with the operator.

THE ACTUAL SITES

4 published campsite records

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Raw published values are shown below, including zeros and ambiguous text. They are not validated capacities. The planner keeps missing, zero and questionable dimensions unknown.

View all 4 published site records
Select a site number to check its official current details
SITE / LOOPTYPEEQUIPMENT LIMITSPEOPLE / VEHICLESDRIVEWAYELECTRIC / SHADE
Site 001
KOKA
Source updated: 2025-12-05
Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Tent: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
50 people
0 vehicles
Not reported
Not reported
Not reported
Shade: Full
Site 002
JUNC
Source updated: 2025-12-05
Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Tent: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
25 people
0 vehicles
Not reported
Not reported
Not reported
Shade: Full
Site 003
CHIP
Source updated: 2025-12-05
Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Tent: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
25 people
0 vehicles
Not reported
Not reported
Not reported
Shade: Full
Site 004
SMOK
Source updated: 2025-12-05
Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
Tent: limit unknown
Numeric screening only
25 people
0 vehicles
Not reported
Not reported
Not reported
Shade: Full

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Straight-line distances between campground points, not driving distance or route advice.