Pipi Campground
Pipi Campground (pronounced "pie") offers RV and tent camping along the Middle Fork of the Cosumnes River, offering great fishing and swimming opportunities. The Cosumnes River flows from the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada and runs for about 52 miles through California's Central Valley and into the Mokelumne River. Historically, the native Miwok people of northern California used to camp in this region in summertime.
More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 33 |
| Tent-only | 16 |
| Walk-in | 1 |
| Host/management | 23 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
50 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 004 | AREA PIPI CAMPGROUND | Walk-in | ||||||
| 001 | PIPI | Tent only | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 002 | PIPI | Tent only | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 003 | PIPI | Tent only | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 004 | PIPI | Tent only | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 005 | PIPI | Tent only | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 006 | PIPI | Tent only | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 007 | PIPI | Tent only | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 008 | PIPI | Tent only | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 009 | PIPI | Tent only | Gravel | Full | 6 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 35 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Site 043 is listed accessible |
A spacious picnic area is located along the river. The campground provides drinking water and vault toilets. Most parking aprons are paved, but some are gravel. Single sites fit a maximum of two vehicle and six people. Interpretive programs take place in peak season.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May to October |
| Forest | Eldorado National Forest |
| Booking | Interagency Senior and Access passes are accepted for single family units. Give your Interagency pass number when making a reservation. |
| Fees | $25/single. $56/double. $84/triple. $10/Day Use |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Jackson, California, head east on Highway 88 for 26 miles to Omo Ranch Road. Turn north (left) on Omo Ranch Rd. and follow for 1 mile to North South Road. Turn right on North South Road and continue for about 6 miles into the campground.
| Coordinates | 38.5736° N, 120.4375° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
- 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.
- Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes.
- Cancellation Fee: A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refunds for a cancelled reservation.
- Cut-off windows can vary by location, but are typically 4 days before your arrival date. A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (see Late Cancellation below).
- Late Cancellation: If you cancel your reservation too close to the start date, additional service fees may be withheld.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedTmu Rx Support
35 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 18.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Mosquito Creek Outfitters ↗ | 21.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Rocklin RV Center ↗ | 44.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Pipi Campground 9/1/25
Worth a stop
- 11 miFleming Trail System & Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 11 mi
- 13.5 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.5 miPipi Interpretive ↗0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miElkins Gold ↗5.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 0.8 miBig Mtn. Loop ↗14.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 0.8 miCaldor Loop ↗23.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.1 miMyers R.r0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miSimpson Gulch2.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Eldorado National Forest.
- inEldorado National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 793,653 acres
- 12.8 miStanislaus National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,090,354 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- St. George HotelBuilding · Volcano · 13.9 mi
Natural features
At an elevation of 4,100 feet, PiPi boasts three camp loops with a dense mixture of conifers like cedar and fir. The area is part of the Eldorado National Forest located in the central Sierra Nevada. A Mediterranean climate extends over most of the forest with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.
Recreation
Rainbow trout are regularly stocked in the river and wheelchair accessible fishing is provided from the paved river walkway. The walkway meanders along the river for just under a mile.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Pipi Campground?
Sites at Pipi Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Interagency Senior and Access passes are accepted for single family units. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Pipi Campground?
$25/single. $56/double. $84/triple.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Pipi Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Pipi Campground?
Cancellation Fee: A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refunds for a cancelled reservation.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Pipi Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Pipi Campground have?
73 sites, including 33 standard sites without power, 16 tent-only sites, and 1 walk-in site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Pipi Campground?
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Pipi Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Pipi Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Pipi Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Pipi Campground?
Site 043 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Pipi Campground?
Rainbow trout are regularly stocked in the river and wheelchair accessible fishing is provided from the paved river walkway. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Pipi Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Capps Crossing (5.6 mi), Middle Fork Cosumnes Campground (7.5 mi, first-come), and Sugar Pine Point (10.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby