BLM · Indian Creek Recreation Area · Carson City, CA

Indian Creek Campground

Due to the extensive damage sustained in the 2021 Tamarack Fire, Indian Creek Campground is CLOSED at this time and will remain closed until the area can be made safe for public access and facilities can be rebuilt. Updated Press Release. Indian Creek Campground is nestled in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada between the California towns of Woodfords and Markleeville. Elevation in the area ranges from 5,600 feet at the reservoir to 6,400 feet in the surrounding foothills. Pine trees and sagebrush dot the landscape. Summers are generally warm and dry with daytime temperatures occasionally reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while evenings are cool and comfortable.

More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Indian Creek Day Use Bathroom post fireIndian Creek Day Use Bathroom post fireIndian Creek Campground Site #10Indian Creek Campground Site #30
Photos courtesy of BLM, DDull/BLM · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups18
Walk-in9
picnic1
group walk to1
Host/management3
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 34 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

29 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadeWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessibleRating
032Day UsePicnicPull-through34PavedPartialLakefront16 / 4Basic
031GroupGroup Walk ToPull-through34PavedPartialLakefront40 / 10YesStandard
011RV / TentStandardBack-in34PavedFull4 / 1YesStandard
012RV / TentStandardBack-in34PavedFull4 / 1YesStandard
013RV / TentStandardBack-in34PavedPartial8 / 2YesStandard
014RV / TentStandardBack-in34PavedPartial8 / 2YesStandard
015RV / TentStandardBack-in34PavedPartial4 / 1YesStandard
016RV / TentStandardBack-in34PavedPartial8 / 2YesStandard
017RV / TentStandardBack-in34PavedPartial4 / 1YesStandard
018RV / TentStandardBack-in34PavedPartial8 / 2YesStandard

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 6:00 AM, checkout 8:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length45 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
Tent padsYes
AccessibilitySite 023 is listed accessible

A campground with 30 sites is situated next to Indian Creek Reservoir. The campground has an RV/tent loop, a tent walk-to loop and group camp area. The RV/tent loop has 19 sites that are suitable for recreational vehicles up to 34 feet in length or tents. The walk-to tent loop has 10 sites with parking nearby. A group campsite (tents only) is available for groups of up to 40 campers. The main restrooms located in the RV/tent loop have flush toilets and hot showers. Drinking water is provided. A day use area has four picnic sites, a boat ramp, large parking lot and restrooms with flush toilets.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Getting there

From Woodfords, California, travel Hwy 89 south approximately four (4) miles to Airport Road. Turn left or east on Airport Road and travel another four miles on paved surface to the campground entrance located just south of Indian Creek Reservoir.

Nearest townCarson City, California
Coordinates38.7479° N, 119.7849° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Tmu Rx Support

    16 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 stationDump station ↗14.5 mi
Outdoor gearTahoe Gear Exchange ↗16.3 mi
RV sales & serviceCustom Truck Accessories ↗27 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

INDIAN CREEK CAMPGROUND REVIEW | RIMROCK LAKE CAMPING

  • 3.3 mi
    Barney Riley
    4.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
  • 4 mi
    Charity Valley ↗
    6.7 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

On Wilderness Atlas →

Mokelumne Wilderness begins about 8.8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.

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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Indian Creek Campground is spread over 160 acres in a forest of burnt ponderosa, Jeffrey and pinyon pines. The campground is located on the west bank of Indian Creek Reservoir. Several campsites have reservoir views through the trees.

Recreation

Many recreational opportunities are available at Indian Creek Campground and the surrounding area including fishing, camping, picnicking, hiking, sailing, mountain biking, nature study, rock collecting, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, bicycling, white-water rafting and photography. Fishing is by far the most popular activity. Trout are stocked in the reservoir and the river; the nearby East Fork of the Carson River is managed as a trophy fishery.

Nearby

Opportunities to view beautiful waterfalls, snow-capped peaks and rushing mountain streams abound throughout this landscape. Consider the following: whitewater raft or kayak the East Fork of the Carson River; fish the East or West forks of the Carson River; explore South Lake Tahoe; hike along the Tahoe Rim Trail; explore off-highway vehicle routes around Hope Valley; drive out to Blue Lakes for fishing, hiking, and horseback riding; hike into the Mokelumne Wilderness; follow the Emigrant trail up from Hope Valley over Carson Pass; mountain bike along a network of logging roads; fish and boat on Silver Lake and Caples Lake; enjoy a meal at Kit Carson Lodge or Caples Lake Resort; discover the beauty of Hope Valley and visit famous Sorensen's Resort for lodging, meals and activities.

Guidebooks for California

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Indian Creek Campground?

Sites at Indian Creek Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Indian Creek Campground?

Check-in 6:00 AM, checkout 8:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Indian Creek Campground have?

32 sites, including 18 standard sites without power, 9 walk-in sites, 1 picnic, and 1 group walk to.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Indian Creek Campground?

The longest site here provides 45 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 there showers or a dump station at Indian Creek Campground?

The main restrooms located in the RV/tent loop have flush toilets and hot showers.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Indian Creek Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Indian Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Indian Creek 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 Indian Creek Campground?

Site 023 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 Indian Creek Campground?

Many recreational opportunities are available at Indian Creek Campground and the surrounding area including fishing, camping, picnicking, hiking, sailing, mountain biking, nature study, rock collecting, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, bicycling, white-water rafting and photography. The Recreation sec

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Indian Creek Campground?

Carson City, California. Opportunities to view beautiful waterfalls, snow-capped peaks and rushing mountain streams abound throughout this landscape.

Source: Getting there

What if Indian Creek Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Crystal Springs (3.4 mi), Markleeville (3.5 mi), and Kit Carson Campground (6.2 mi, partly first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby