Loon Lake Chalet
Eldorado National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: CAMINO, CA, CA
Price: From $20 per night
Rating: 5 out of 5 (2 reviews)
Season: Year-round
Loon Lake Chalet is situated next to Loon Lake in a granite bowl, and offers year-round, drive-to access for excellent backcountry skiing and hiking. The three-story chalet boasts excellent views of the Sierras and the lake. Though the chalet looks fancy, guests should not not expect hotel luxuries, but rather a semi-rustic experience.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/loon-lake-chalet to be notified when sites open up.
Loon Lake Chalet offers year-round drive-to access with stunning Sierra views and excellent opportunities for backcountry skiing, hiking, and fishing in a granite bowl setting. Highly rated by campers (4.9/5 stars) who praise its natural beauty and access to recreation like the Rubicon Trail.
Wildlife alert: Gray-headed Pika, Humboldt's Flying Squirrel, White-headed Woodpecker, Mountain Quail, Gopher Snake, and Northern Rubber Boa present in the area.
Insider tips for Loon Lake Chalet: Book early — it is a federal campground with high demand Only 1 tent site available; this is a chalet facility, not a traditional campground Swimming at Loon Lake is available during warmer months
Skip Loon Lake Chalet if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available. You expect hotel-style amenities — the chalet is semi-rustic. You require multiple camping sites — only 1 tent site exists.
Best time to visit Loon Lake Chalet: Winter — Year-round operation with excellent backcountry skiing access. Summer — Lake swimming and hiking available; windy conditions noted toward end of lake.
Nearby campgrounds: Loon Lake (Twin Bridges, CA), Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca) (Pollock Pines, CA), Red Fir (Twin Bridges, CA), Van Vleck Bunkhouse (CAMINO, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Loon Lake Chalet
Cell signal at Loon Lake Chalet (CAMINO, CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
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.
Loon Lake Chalet is situated next to Loon Lake in a granite bowl, and offers year-round, drive-to access for excellent backcountry skiing and hiking. The three-story chalet boasts excellent views of the Sierras and the lake. Though the chalet looks fancy, guests should not not expect hotel luxuries, but rather a semi-rustic experience.
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
it is a federal campground with high demand
Only 1 tent site available; this is a chalet facility, not a traditional campground
Swimming at Loon Lake is available during warmer months
Year-round operation with excellent backcountry skiing access
Lake swimming and hiking available; windy conditions noted toward end of lake
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Take Highway 50 east of Placerville for 21 miles to Icehouse Road turnoff. Turn left and go 25 miles north to a fork in the road. Take the right fork 6 miles. Pass the Loon Lake Campground turn-off, then go 3/4 of a mile to the chalet.
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.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Loon Lake Chalet cost per night?+
What season is Loon Lake Chalet open?+
Does Loon Lake Chalet have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Loon Lake Chalet?+
How do I make reservations at Loon Lake Chalet?+
What is the cell service like at Loon Lake Chalet?+
What season is Loon Lake Chalet open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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