Loon Lake sits among the stunning landscapes of Eldorado National Forest in California . With 50 campsites (RV-friendly up to 35 feet feet) , restrooms, great hiking, it's a favorite for rural adventurers.

Reservations are required year-round , and the best times to visit are Jul-aug when the weather is most comfortable .

🌈 PurpleTents helps LGBTQ+ campers discover welcoming outdoor experiences here and across America.

🏕️ At a Glance

⛺ Sites: 50
🚙 Max RV: 35 feet ft
🏛️ Agency: Usda Forest Service
🚻 Restrooms: Yes
💧 Water: No
🐕 Pets: Allowed
🚿 Showers: No
🥾 Hiking: Available
🦅 Birding: 100/100 (Pacific Flyway)
⏱️ Stay Limit: 14 days
💲 Nightly Fee: Fees Apply
📅 Reservations: Required (Recreation.gov)
🌆 Best Seasons: Jul-aug
📍 GPS: 38.9833, -120.33
🆔 Facility ID: 232070

💳 Booking & Fees

📅 Reservations: Required - Book on Recreation.gov →
💵 Nightly Fee: Fees Apply
📋 Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations made 3+ days before arrival typically receive a refund minus service fees. Check Recreation.gov for specific policies and deadlines.

⏰ Stay Limit: 14 days
💡 Tip: Book early for peak season (Jul-aug). Sites can fill up months in advance.

💧 Water Access & Features

🔒 PLUS+ Content
Unlock distance to water, flow data, water availability details, and safety information for this campground.
📏 Distance✅ Availability🗺️ All Sources💡 Safety Tips
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📸 Discover the Beauty of Eldorado National Forest

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

Plan your trip during the optimal season for this campground.

🌞 Jul-aug

🦅 Peak birding: Apr, May, Sep

🦌 Recent Wildlife Sightings

Recent wildlife observations near this campground from the iNaturalist community.

🔒 PLUS+ Content
Unlock real-time wildlife sightings from iNaturalist community scientists near this campground, including photos, species names, and observation dates.
🦅 Birds🦌 Mammals🦎 Reptiles📸 Photos
Unlock with PLUS+ ✦$7/mo or $60/year (save 30%)

Loon Lake located in California, offering 50 camping sites.

Loon Lake

A Rural campground in California

📍
Location
, California
💰
Fees
Fees Apply

Stay Limit
14 days
🚌
Max RV Length
35 feet
🐾
Pets
Available
📡
Cell Coverage
Verizon: Fair
AT&T: Fair
T-Mobile: Poor

Overview

The Campground Sits Just West of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at an Elevation of 6,500 Feet. the Campground Sits Just West of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at an Elevation of 6,500 Feet. an Exciting Stretch of Scenic, Un-Maintained, Rocky Road Awaits Off-Road Thrill Seekers. 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. 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. Campsites Come with Picnic Tables, Grills, Campfire Rings and Bear-Proof Food Storage Lockers. Firewood Is Sold on-Site. the Climate Is Similar to That of the Mediterranean with Warm, Dry Summers and Cold, Wet Winters.

Contact Info

for Facility Specific Information, Please Call (831) 245-6891.

Nearby Attractions

the 18-Mile Rubicon Jeep Trail Begins Nearby.

Charges & Cancellations

  • . 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. Customers Who Cancel a Group Overnight Facility Reservation Less Than 14 Days Before the Arrival Date Will Pay a $10.00 Service Fee and Forfeit the First Night’S Use Fee..
  • Cut-Off Window: the Latest Date and/or Time That You Can Make an Advanced Reservation or a Change to an Existing 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.
  • Refunds: Refund Requests Made Through Www. Recreation. Gov Will Be Charged a $10 Processing Fee. This Fee Is Retained by the Reservation Service Contractor Along with the Non-Refundable Reservation 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 (These Are the Fees Retained by the Reservation Contractor, a Different Entity).
Managed by: Usda Forest Service

Site Details

Campsite Information

  • Total Sites: 50
  • Hookup Types: Electric
  • Max RV Length: 35 feet

Amenities

  • 🚻 Restrooms: Available
  • 🚿 Showers: No
  • 🗑️ Dump Station: No
  • 💧 Potable Water: No
  • 🛝 Playground: No
  • 🧺 Laundry: False
  • 📶 WiFi: False
  • 🏊 Swimming: Available
  • 🎣 Fishing: Available
  • 🛥️ Boating: Available
  • 🥾 Hiking: Available

Map & Location

Address & Coordinates

Address:

City: , California

Coordinates: 38.9833333, -120.33

Area Type: Rural

Phone: (831) 245-6891

Activities & Attractions

Popular Activities: Swimming|fishing|hiking|picnic|water|fire-ring|lake|trail|rv

Available Activities:

  • 🎣 Fishing: Available
  • 🛥️ Boating: Available
  • 🥾 Hiking: Available
  • 🏊 Swimming: Available

Regulations & Permits

🔥 Stay Limits & Fees

Maximum Stay: 14 days

Nightly Fee: Fees Apply

Federal Pass: Yes (50% discount)

📋 Reservations

Reservations: Yes

Book on Recreation.gov

🌤️ Weather & Climate

74.2°F
Summer High
19.9°F
Winter Low
34.26″
Annual Precip
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
Jul-aug
Best Visit Time

📱 Connectivity

Verizon

Fair Signal

LTE

AT&T

Fair Signal

LTE

T-Mobile

Poor Signal

4G

📺 Television Reception

Major Networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, CW, ION, UnivisION

Signal Quality: Good

Total Stations: 20 stations

Nearest Market: LOS Angeles/SAN Francisco

Notes: Signals FROM LOS Angeles/SAN Francisco MARKET

📻 Radio Reception

Total Stations: 50 stations (15 AM, 35 FM)

AM Quality: Good | FM Quality: Good

Major Formats: POP, Spanish, Classic ROCK, NEWS/TALK, Country

Local News: KNX 1070 Am

Market: La/Sf/SAN DIEGO

Notes: 15 AM, 35 FM Stations from La/Sf/San Diego

🔌 EV Charging

⚡ Granlibakken Tahoe – Ski Hill Station

Distance: 15.2 miles away

Address: 725 Granlibakken Rd, Tahoe City, CA

Network: non-networked

Charging Type: Standard-charging-available • J1772

Essential Information

Park System Information

Park Classification & Structure

  • Park Type: National Forests
  • Parks Post Name: eldorado-national-forest
  • Parent Park Name: Eldorado National Forest
  • Correct Park Type Mapping: eldorado-national-forest

System Statistics

  • Total Campgrounds in System: 58.0
  • States Covered: California
  • Managing Agencies: Usda Forest Service

System IDs & References

  • Parent Organization ID: 131.0
  • Parent Recreation Area ID: 1063
  • Parks Parent Org IDs: 131.0
  • Parks Parent Rec Area IDs: 1063, 1063.0

URL Slugs & Navigation

  • State Slug: california
  • Agency Slug: usda-forest-service
  • Park Type Slug: national-forests
  • Parent Park Slug: eldorado-national-forest

Additional Park Information

Welcome to Eldorado National Forest! This Beautiful Destination Features 58 Campgrounds Across California. Managed by Usda Forest Service, This Location Offers Incredible Camping Opportunities for Every Type of Outdoor Enthusiast.

Data Reference Notes

Managing Agency Slug: usda-forest-service

232070 Loon Lake