Connectivity
No community carrier report is currently published for this campground.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Loon Lake
Eldorado National Forest, California
About this campground
Loon Lake Campground is situated on the south shores of Loon Lake, and attracts many visitors with its variety of campsites and beautiful waterfront setting.
Five picnic areas in the campground and a day-use area provide visitors with nice lake views.
The campground sits just west of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at an elevation of 6,500 feet.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 38.983333° N
- Longitude
- 120.330000° W
Know before you arrive
Access, sites & campground features
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Access
- Drive-in
- Boat-inCommunity report
- Walk-inCommunity report
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Equestrian sites
- Standard campsites
- Group sites
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- Picnic table
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- Food storage
- ADA access
- Alcohol allowedCommunity report
- Firewood availableCommunity report
- Trash serviceCommunity report
- Pets allowedDogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
- Reservable
For vehicles
- Parking
- Pull-through sites
- Big rig friendlyPublished vehicle length up to 67 ft
- Back-in sitesCommunity report
- Sanitary dumpCommunity report
Official campground guide
Plan with the full campground details
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
Overview
Loon Lake Campground is situated on the south shores of Loon Lake, and attracts many visitors with its variety of campsites and beautiful waterfront setting. Popular activities include boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and exploring off-road vehicle trails.
Facilities
Campsites come with picnic tables, grills, campfire rings and bear-proof food storage lockers. Firewood is sold on-site.
Recreation
Anglers delight in fishing for rainbow and brown trout, while boaters head out for water skiing. Five picnic areas in the campground and a day-use area provide visitors with nice lake views.
Natural Features
The campground sits just west of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at an elevation of 6,500 feet. The climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.
Nearby Attractions
The 18-mile Rubicon Jeep Trail begins nearby. An exciting stretch of scenic, un-maintained, rocky road awaits off-road thrill seekers.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Camping
Amenities and facility features
- Vault or pit toilets
- Potable water
- Picnic tables
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
- Wildlife-resistant food storage
- Pets allowedFollow the exact facility restrictions
- Accessible Boat Ramp
- Campfire Rings
- Drinking Water
- Grills
- Parking Area
- Picnic Area
- Pit Toilets
- Vault Toilets
- Water Spigot
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
49 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 12
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 67 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 1:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- 3 flagged accessible
Equestrian Non-Electric
8 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- Horse
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 1
- Maximum vehicle length
- 55 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 1:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Management
22 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- Horse, RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 1
- Maximum vehicle length
- 40 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 1:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Group Standard Non-Electric
3 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- Horse, RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 50
- Maximum vehicles
- 15
- Maximum vehicle length
- 55 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 1:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- 1 flagged accessible
Site rules, inventory & rates
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Site rules
- Base site allowance
- • 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.
- Holiday-weekend minimum
- 3 nights
- Weekend minimum
- 2 nights
- Reservation cutoff
- 3 days before arrival
- Scan And Pay
- 1
- Maximum published vehicles
- 15 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 1:00 PM
- Food storage
- Loon Lake's official facility record states: Campsites come with picnic tables, grills, campfire rings and bear-proof food storage lockers.
- Fire and stove use
- Loon Lake's official facility record states: Campsites come with picnic tables, grills, campfire rings and bear-proof food storage lockers.
- Pets
- Dogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
Inventory window
Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.
- Currently bookable through
- Sep 27, 2026
- Next release
- Dec 19, 2026, 7:00 AM PST
- Next book-through date
- Jun 19, 2027
- Group sites bookable through
- Sep 27, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-come, First-served SeasonMay 26, 2026 – Jun 18, 2026 | Equestrian Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonMay 26, 2026 – Jun 18, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $130 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonMay 26, 2026 – Jun 18, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $160 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonMay 26, 2026 – Jun 18, 2026 | RV Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonMay 26, 2026 – Jun 18, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonMay 26, 2026 – Jun 18, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonMay 26, 2026 – Jun 18, 2026 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Equestrian Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $135 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $160 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | RV Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Equestrian Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $130 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $160 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | RV Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Equestrian Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $135 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $160 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | RV Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027 | Equestrian Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $130 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $160 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027 | RV Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2027 – Sep 27, 2027 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Equestrian Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $135 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $160 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | RV Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 19, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028 | Equestrian Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $130 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $160 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028 | RV Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $72 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- Travel Notice : Starting May 2024 and continuing through September 2024, Ice House Road will be undergoing repairs. There will be traffic delays so plan your camping trip accordingly.
- Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers
- Forest Order No. 19-15-01: Prohibits camping for a combined total of no more than 14 days during a calendar year (January-December), forest-wide. Visitors may book campsites annually but the maximum stay may not exceed a total of 14 days each calendar year (January-December).
- Please keep boats clean, drained and dry, to avoid transport or introduction of aquatic invasive species
- Please Note : One vehicle per single site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee.
- Fire Restrictions : Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed; call (530) 644-6048 for local information and conditions.
- Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (1PM) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests. Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
- Campers who reserve equestrian sites and don't bring a horse will be asked to move to another site. If one is not available, fees for cancellations will apply.
- First Come First Serve sites remain listed as FF for the entire season. They will not show as occupied/available online as the status of these sites is ever changing. You must be on site at the campground to claim a FF site. No guarantees upon arrival that these FF sites will be avaiable.
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
- There is a fee to move from a reserved site to a first come first serve site. Site Transfer Policy
- Click here for more information on Eldorado National Forest
Getting there & contact
Official directions
Take Highway 50 east of Placerville for 21 miles to Icehouse Road turnoff. Turn left and go 28 miles to a fork. Take the right fork 5 miles to the campground.
Facility contact
530-293-0827 · info@royalelkparkmanagement.com