Eldorado NF

About Us

Season

Favorite Activities

Campgrounds are open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day Weekend. Some campgrounds remain open on a first come, first serve basis after Labor Day until September/October, weather and visitation permitting.

Favorite Activities

The Desolation Wilderness borders areas on the Eldorado NF offering a lot of hiking and ATV activities that can be accessed directly from some campgrounds. If that's not for you, the many lakes & rivers offer a relaxing backdrop and fresh air at the campground.

Make Reservations

Favorite Activities

Make Reservations

To reserve campsites, head to our Home page and click 'Reserve Now' under Campgrounds.

Rates

All reservations through recreation.gov have a $8 non-refundable reservation fee. This fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the $10 cancellation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees. Rates can vary and/or change throughout the season.

we have gone cashless

Convenience

Going cashless makes your visit easier, faster, and more convenient. You can quickly pay for your site using simple digital payment options—no need for exact change. It also helps keep your payment secure, so you can spend more time enjoying your stay and less time worrying about transactions.

Cashless Options

Scan & Pay: Each campground will now offer a Scan & Pay option through Recreation.gov. Download the app, create your account, then you are ready to pay for a site upon arrival to the campground. Don't have service at your campground? No worries. Your payment will process when you get back into service.
Fee Machine: Several campgrounds have a fee machine that is credit card only. Here you can pay for your campsite, firewood, and day use.
Camp Host: Every Camp Host has a secure Square payment option that can be used if the first two options are not working.

Transition

With every new amenity comes a year of learning and transition. We are encouraging all visitors to use our new cashless payment options, which provide a faster, easier, and more secure way to pay for your site.

We understand that some families camp to unplug, may not carry cards, or simply prefer to use cash. However, beginning in 2026, our sites will move to fully cashless payments.

We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to try our cashless options as we work toward a more convenient experience for all visitors.

Need to know for 2026

Construction

Wrights Lake Campground: Due to the Wrights Lake Recreation Improvement Project, Wrights Lake Campground will be closed until July 31, but may open up to first come first serve if certain projects are finished early. After that certain campsites may experience temporary closures. Please use caution while traveling through the Wrights Lake area as construction operations and heavy equipment will be present.
Wrights Lake Trailheads: Due to the Wrights Lake Recreation Improvement Project planned for the summer of 2026, the Rockbound and Twin Lakes trailheads may experience temporary closures. Be prepared to use detours or alternate routes. Please use caution while traveling through the Wrights Lake area as construction operations and heavy equipment will be present.

Closures

Sunset Union Valley Campground: Sites 9-24 and 37-53 are currently closed to nesting Bald Eagles. The closure is estimated to last through mid- to the end of July. More details on opening dates to follow.

Water System Repairs

We're Hiring!

Join Our Team

Seasonal campground host positions are available in Northern California’s beautiful Eldorado National Forest, just west of South Lake Tahoe. Campgrounds are situated on high Sierra lakes or rivers. REPM has 3 areas with positions open: Highway 88 corridor, Highway 50 corridor, and north into the Crystal Basin area. Activities in the area include boating, fishing, hiking, bird watching, etc.

A fully functioning RV is required.

Duties include but are not limited to:

· Meeting, greeting, and physical campground housekeeping. You must be able to lift and carry 30 pounds.

· Weekly deposit paperwork

· If interested, we also have preseason work (paid hourly) which includes but is not limited to the following:

o Heavy duty cleaning

o Hazard tree removal

o Brush clean up

o Fire pit cleaning

o Working with equipment such as a blower

The positions are 5x/week with 2 days off. The days off will not be on weekends or holidays.

Depending on the campground, 20 to 50 hours per week and salaries vary from $300 to $600/week including a host site which includes sewer & water only.

Email resumes to jobs@royalelkparkmanagement.com

Hello

Welcome to the Eldorado National Forest

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.

About Us

Season

Favorite Activities

Favorite Activities

Favorite Activities

Favorite Activities

Favorite Activities

Make Reservations

Favorite Activities

Make Reservations

Rates

Campgrounds

Single Site

Double Site

Triple Site

Group Site

Additional Fees

Extra Vehicle/Parking

Day Use Fee

RV Dump Station

Season Pass

we have gone cashless

Convenience

Cashless Options

Transition

Fees

Day Use

Need to know for 2026

Construction

Closures

Water System Repairs

We're Hiring!

Join Our Team

Apply Now