Ponderosa Cove Campground
Eldorado National Forest — lakeside
Location: Twin Bridges, CA, CA
Price: From $175 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (3 reviews)
Season: May through October
Ponderosa Cove greets group campers with shaded campsites close to scenic Stumpy Meadows Reservoir. The campground provides a pleasant destination for bird watching and nature viewing, in addition to activities at the lake.The campground can accommodate up to 75 guests along a single loop of campsites. Five parking spurs can be used for RVs and trailers.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/ponderosa-cove-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Ponderosa Cove offers shaded campsites near scenic Stumpy Meadows Reservoir with excellent group camping capacity and well-organized facilities. Campers praise it as one of the best group campsites with ample parking, properly placed picnic tables, and fire pits.
Wildlife alert: California Ground Squirrel, Bighorn Sheep, Common Sharp-tailed Snake, Sharp-tailed Snake, and Western Fence Lizard documented in the area
Insider tips for Ponderosa Cove Campground: Book early—this is a federal campground with high demand Group camping capacity reaches 75 people with dedicated RV parking spurs available No-wake lake ideal for fishing brown and rainbow trout and swimming
Skip Ponderosa Cove Campground if: You need RV hookups—no hookups available, only suitable for self-contained RVs. You plan to visit November through April—seasonal closure. You prefer developed facilities—only vault toilets available.
Best time to visit Ponderosa Cove Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Stumpy Meadows (GEORGETOWN, CA), West Point Campground (Pollock, CA), Bridal Veil Group Area And Picnic Ground (CAMINO, CA), Dru Barner Campground (Georgetown, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Ponderosa Cove Campground
Cell signal at Ponderosa Cove Campground (Twin Bridges, 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.
Ponderosa Cove greets group campers with shaded campsites close to scenic Stumpy Meadows Reservoir. The campground provides a pleasant destination for bird watching and nature viewing, in addition to activities at the lake.The campground can accommodate up to 75 guests along a single loop of campsites. Five parking spurs can be used for RVs and trailers.
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
this is a federal campground with high demand
Group camping capacity reaches 75 people with dedicated RV parking spurs available
No-wake lake ideal for fishing brown and rainbow trout and swimming
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
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 →
From Placerville take Highway 49N a half-mile and turn right on Highway 193 to Georgetown. Take a right on Main Street in Georgetown and drive about 14 miles to the campground. Ponderosa Cove is north of the Stumpy Boat Ramp.
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 Ponderosa Cove Campground cost per night?+
What season is Ponderosa Cove Campground open?+
Does Ponderosa Cove Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Ponderosa Cove Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Ponderosa Cove Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Ponderosa Cove Campground?+
What season is Ponderosa Cove Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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