South Fork Group
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.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 125 / 20 |
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 | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
While the campground can be used as a single group site that can accommodate up to 125 guests, it can also be reserved as multiple single-family sites. A group cooking area with food preparation tables and double grills is available, as well as campfire rings with grills at each site. Visitors can boil stream water or fill up at nearby boat ramps. A parking area is also available.
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 | Father's Day weekend to October |
| Forest | Eldorado National Forest |
| Booking | Available by reservation only (summer). CALL 1-877-444-6777, four days to 360 days in advance of your first night’s stay. www.Recreation.gov. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover accepted. |
| Fees | $100 |
Weather by month
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.
| Nearest town | Pollock Pines, California |
| Coordinates | 38.9483° N, 120.4021° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Vault toilets are provided, however, drinking water is not available at the campground.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedTmu Rx Support
23 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 ↗ | 8.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Alpenglow Sports ↗ | 20.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Custom Truck Accessories ↗ | 36.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Swimming and non-motorized boating are available at Gerle Creek Reservoir, 5 miles north of the campground.
- 1.9 miGerle Creek Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 1.9 miAngel Creek Day Use ↗Day use
- 4.6 miLoon Lake Day Use And Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 5.8 miWest Point Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 14.1 miMckinney/Rubicon Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 14.1 miMckinney/Rubicon Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 1.4 miSummer Harvest Trail ↗0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.6 miRobbs Hut3.1 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 1.7 miGerle Creek Trail ↗0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2 miGerle Creek Interpretive1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.1 miSouth Fork3.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.8 miSunrock1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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
- 6.8 miDesolation Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 64,041 acres
- 7.4 miTahoe National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,181,139 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
Natural features
Situated at an elevation of 5,200 feet, the campground sits between the Union Valley Reservoir and Loon Lake. It is also just minutes away from Gerle Creek Reservoir, a serene mountain lake where motorized boating is prohibited in order to preserve a peaceful and quiet atmosphere for visitors.
Recreation
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.
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 South Fork Group?
Sites at South Fork Group are reservable on Recreation.gov. Available by reservation only (summer). Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at South Fork Group?
$100
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at South Fork Group?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is South Fork Group open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Father's Day weekend to October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does South Fork Group have?
1 site, including 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at South Fork Group?
The longest site here provides 50 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
What is the nearest town to South Fork Group?
Pollock Pines, California. Swimming and non-motorized boating are available at Gerle Creek Reservoir, 5 miles north of the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if South Fork Group is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Gerle Creek (1.9 mi, partly first-come), Airport Flat Campground (2.8 mi, first-come), and Yellowjacket (4 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby