South Fork Group - Eldorado Nf (Ca)
Eldorado National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: POLLOCK PINES, CA, CA
Price: From $100 per night
Rating: 2 out of 5 (2 reviews)
Season: May through October
South Fork is the largest group campground in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area, nestled in the vast expanse of the Eldorado National Forest. The remote location affords visitors a true outdoor camping experience.Swimming and non-motorized boating are available at Gerle Creek Reservoir, 5 miles north of the campground. With the South Fork of the Rubicon River located within walking distance, the group camp provides excellent fishing, swimming and other water sports and activities.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/south-fork-group-eldorado-nf-ca to be notified when sites open up.
South Fork is the largest group campground in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area with excellent fishing, swimming, and water sports along the South Fork of the Rubicon River. Campers praise its ability to accommodate large groups with both tent and RV sites.
Wildlife alert: Mountain lions and American black bears present in area; also Humboldt's flying squirrels, California ground squirrels, mountain quail, and California mountain kingsnakes.
Insider tips for South Fork Group - Eldorado Nf (Ca): Book early—this is a federal campground with high demand Bring self-contained RV; no hookups available Verify payment method and fees in advance; some campers reported confusion about payment procedures
Skip South Fork Group - Eldorado Nf (Ca) if: You require RV hookups. You need year-round availability—seasonal operations only. You need modern restroom facilities—vault toilets only and cleanliness issues reported.
Best time to visit South Fork Group - Eldorado Nf (Ca): May-October — Official operating season per verified data.
Nearby campgrounds: Robbs Hut (CAMINO, CA), Gerle Creek (Pollock Pines, CA), Yellowjacket (Twin Bridges, CA), Wench Creek (Pollock Pines, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at South Fork Group - Eldorado Nf (Ca)
Cell signal at South Fork Group - Eldorado Nf (Ca) (POLLOCK PINES, 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.
South Fork is the largest group campground in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area, nestled in the vast expanse of the Eldorado National Forest. The remote location affords visitors a true outdoor camping experience.Swimming and non-motorized boating are available at Gerle Creek Reservoir, 5 miles north of the campground. With the South Fork of the Rubicon River located within walking distance, the group camp provides excellent fishing, swimming and other water sports and activities.
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
Bring self-contained RV; no hookups available
Verify payment method and fees in advance; some campers reported confusion about payment procedures
Official operating season per verified data
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 →
Travel 21 miles east from Placerville on Highway 50 and turn left on the Ice House Road. Go 25 miles north and turn left on South Fork Road. The campground is a mile from the turn-off, on the right side of the 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.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does South Fork Group - Eldorado Nf (Ca) cost per night?+
What season is South Fork Group - Eldorado Nf (Ca) open?+
Does South Fork Group - Eldorado Nf (Ca) have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at South Fork Group - Eldorado Nf (Ca)?+
How do I make reservations at South Fork Group - Eldorado Nf (Ca)?+
What is the cell service like at South Fork Group - Eldorado Nf (Ca)?+
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●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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