Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca)
Eldorado National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: PIONEER, CA, CA
Price: From $115 per night
Price range: $115–$145 per night
Rating: 5 out of 5 (9 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/bear-river-group-campground-eldorado-national-forest-ca to be notified when sites open up.
Bear River Group Campground offers four group campsites in a mixed pine Sierra Nevada setting above the Lower Bear River Reservoir, ideal for groups seeking fishing, boating, and water activities. The proximity to both Lower and Upper Bear River Reservoirs provides excellent recreation opportunities.
Wildlife alert: Pumas present in area—use standard precautions. Also watch for California Mountain Kingsnake and Northern Rubber Boa. Turkey Vultures commonly observed.
Insider tips for Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca): Book early as this is a federal campground with only 4 group sites Explore Upper Bear River Reservoir 2.5 miles of shoreline upriver from campground No hookups available—plan self-contained camping setup
Skip Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) if: Need RV hookups—none available at this campground. Visiting outside May-October seasonal operations window. Prefer individual sites over group camping (only 4 group sites available).
Best time to visit Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca): May-October — Verified operating season per official data.
Nearby campgrounds: South Shore Campground (Pioneer, CA), Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest) (Arnold, CA), (Lake Alpine) Lodgepole Campground (Arnold, CA), (Lake Alpine) West Shore (Arnold, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca)
Cell signal at Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) (PIONEER, CA): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with only 4 group sites
Explore Upper Bear River Reservoir 2.5 miles of shoreline upriver from campground
No hookups available
plan self-contained camping setup
Verified operating season per official data
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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 entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Eldorado National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Eldorado National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) cost per night?+
What season is Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) open?+
Does Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca)?+
How do I make reservations at Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca)?+
What is the cell service like at Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca)?+
What season is Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, Ca) open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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