How much does camping cost at Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca)?

Camping fees at Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca) range from $36-$72/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca) first-come first-served or reservation?

Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca) accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca) before I book?

Yes! Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca) has 3 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca)?

Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca) is open June 18 to September 20. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca)?

Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca) does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca) have?

Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca) has 25 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca)?

Yes, pets are allowed at Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca). Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca)?

Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca) offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca)

Q: Can I have a campfire at Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca)?

Fire policies at Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca): Fire Restrictions : Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. Call (530) 644-6048 for local information and conditions.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.16

97 reviews

Top 3%Summer

SwimmingSummer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,486 ft

Price

$36 - $72/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Peak season starts M...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Royal Elk Park Management Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,486 ft

Price

$36 - $72/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Peak season starts M...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Royal Elk Park Management Official Website

Get Directions

Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca)

$36.00 - $72.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Double RV Site: $72.00; Double Site: $72.00; Single site with space for RV: $36.00; Single site: $36.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction...

Standard Site Fee$36.00

Group Site Fee$72.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(530) 644-2324info@royalelkparkmanagement.com

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca)

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Campground Map

Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca)

38.9996, -120.3187

Nearby places

Placerville (23 miles, approximately 35 minutes)

Weather at Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca)

Current alerts(10)

Bears frequent the area. Keep all foods, soaps, and garbage properly stored.
Click here for more information on the Eldorado National Forest.
Don't Move Firewood : Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov .
Forest Order No. 19-15-01: Prohibits camping for a combined total of no more than 14 days during a calendar year (January-December), forest-wide. Visitors may book campsites annually but the maximum stay may not exceed a total of 14 days each calendar year (January-December)

Best Time to Camp at Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca)

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable access and the warmest weather at 6,486 ft, with daytime highs typically in the mid-60s to upper-70s °F and crisp nights in the 30s–40s. Lake activities (swimming, boating, fishing) and trail access are at their peak, and the campground's full services are open from late May through August. Expect busiest weekends around Memorial Day and the July 4th period — midweek visits will be noticeably quieter. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

5.0 / 5

Top 3% in US

Peak season (May 23–Aug 31); summer ideal for swimming, fishing, boating and hiking.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: June 18 to September 20. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Peak season starts May 23 and ends August 31 annually. Limited first-come, first-served availability from June 20 to June 21.

About Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca)

Northshore Campground sits on the edge of Loon Lake in Eldorado National Forest, east of Placerville at mid-elevation. Royal Elk Park Management operates this small campground with tent, RV, and group sites, offering vault toilets, potable water, and standard amenities. Visitors come for lakefront access, swimming, boating, fishing, and proximity to the Rubicon Trail.

The Northshore Campground accommodates diverse camping styles, offering a mix of standard, RV, and group sites. Some sites are better suited for large RVs, while others are relatively compact, making them ideal for tent camping.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable access and the warmest weather at 6,486 ft, with daytime highs typically in the mid-60s to upper-70s °F and crisp nights in the 30s–40s. Lake activities (swimming, boating, fishing) and trail access are at their peak, and the campground's full services are open from late May through August. Expect busiest weekends around Memorial Day and the July 4th period — midweek visits will be noticeably quieter. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation6486 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryLoon Lake anchors the campground, ringed by granite domes and alpine forests shaped by ancient glaciers. Exposed bedrock and glacial erratics dot the terrain. The Desolation Wilderness surrounds the area, where polished granite peaks rise above dense conifer stands. Views shift with elevation and aspect, from lakefront to forested to open stone. Tree coverage is sparse at the campground itself. You'll see everyone around you. What shade exists comes from scattered pines rather than continuous canopy.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodges are present, but Loon Lake Chalet rental cabin is mentioned as available by reservation.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum 14 days per calendar year across Eldorado National Forest.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Typically accommodates one vehicle per site, with an additional fee for extra vehicles.

Groups

Group sites are available and can accommodate larger parties and vehicles. Rates are $72 per night.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations are available through Recreation.gov's website and mobile app.

AccessibilityAccessible grills and parking are available. Some sites are better suited for large RVs with wide access.

Site SizeSites accommodate both small and large vehicles, with some meant explicitly for larger RV setups. Reviewers noted a mix of spacious and more compact sites.

PrivacyPrivacy is limited due to sparse tree coverage, with reviewers noting 'little privacy really' and 'view everyone around.

Total Campsites25 campsites

Recommended SitesSite 21 (main road access issues), site 8 (double site with limited tent space), and Loop 2 sites (less privacy) are noted in reviews. Sites near the water are preferred for lake views.

Best CampsitesReviewers favor lakefront sites for the views, though specific site numbers weren't mentioned consistently. Larger sites work for RVs. Smaller sites suit tents or truck campers. Privacy is limited across the board due to sparse trees.

Need help booking Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca)?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

The Northshore Campground at Loon Lake offers a range of both basic and advanced amenities for campers. Highlights include campfire rings, drinking water (seasonal), firewood availability, food storage lockers, accessible grills, and waterfront sites. Amenities are designed to cater to both RV and tent campers. Accessible parking and tent pads enhance usability, while the main drawbacks noted by users include the lack of showers and occasional issues with trash management.

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational activities are abundant. Highlights include swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, and horseback riding. The Rubicon OHV Trail also offers off-road enthusiasts a great opportunity to explore during summer months.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available. Vault toilets are described as frequently cleaned by hosts but have been reported as dirty or lacking maintenance when unstaffed.

Food Storage RequiredLockers are provided but may incur additional fees. These are essential due to bear activity.

Fire PolicyFire Restrictions : Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. Call (530) 644-6048 for local information and conditions.

Trash & RecyclingTrash facilities are available, but some users have noted poor maintenance, including garbage left outside dumpsters.

Cell CoverageMixed reviews about cell service. One user in 2021 noted it as 'spotty but drivable to get better service.'

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.2

97 reviews

Satisfactory

Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (Ca) is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Northshore Campground at Loon Lake are generally positive, highlighting its picturesque setting and well-maintained amenities. Negative feedback includes occasional noise, a lack of shade, and maintenance issues when unstaffed.

Review Summaries

Based on 97 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 97 reviews.

Site 6Loved
Site 6: Spacious and ideal for large RVs.
Site 8Mentioned
Site 8: Double site with high cost but limited tent space.
Site 21Issues noted
Site 21: Criticized for poor layout and lack of parking.

What Campers Love

The lakefront views, clean facilities, and friendly camp hosts were frequently praised. Many reviewers appreciated the campground's proximity to the lake and the Rubicon Trail.

Based on 97 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues include lack of shade, noisy neighbors, and unclean facilities when hosts were absent. Some users also found the sites too close together, affecting privacy.

Based on 97 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring a rain fly for nights and extra shade for sunny days. Early reservations are recommended due to high demand during peak season.

Based on 97 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews highlight summer as the ideal season for activities like fishing, swimming, and hiking. Winter sees limited accessibility but remains scenic.

Based on 97 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'Lakefront views are gorgeous, but sites are a bit crowded and expensive.' - Camille W. - 'Bathrooms clean when staffed; otherwise lacking supplies.' - Lisa M. - 'Lovely place for families, but...

Based on 97 reviews

Accessibility Features

Mixed reviews on accessibility. Sites are spacious enough for RVs, but some trails are challenging for individuals with mobility issues.

Based on 97 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but reviewers caution keeping them leashed due to wildlife and other campers. Uncontrolled pets were noted as a nuisance in some reviews.

Based on 97 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want direct lake access for water activities and don't mind paying more for the location.

Skip if

You need spacious, shaded sites or prefer quieter campgrounds with fewer crowds.

Nearby Campgrounds

4.2

(33)

Northshore Campground

Eldorado National Forest

Northshore Campground sits at 6,000 feet in Eldorado National Forest, offering lakefront access for swimming, boating, and fishing. Operated by Royal Elk Park Management, this small campground provides vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables for both tent and RV campers. The location delivers clear skies for stargazing and direct water access during the summer season.