Is Airport Flat Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Airport Flat Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Are there showers at Airport Flat Campground?

Airport Flat Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Airport Flat Campground have?

Airport Flat Campground has 15 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Airport Flat Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Airport Flat Campground. 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 Airport Flat Campground?

Airport Flat Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Airport Flat Campground?

Popular activities at Airport Flat Campground include Hiking, Swimming. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Airport Flat Campground

4.17

57 reviews

Featured in:Fall Camping California

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

5,400 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Eldorado National Forest - U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

5,400 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Eldorado National Forest - U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Airport Flat Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

530-644-2324

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Airport Flat Campground

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Campground Map

Airport Flat Campground

38.9853, -120.3804

Nearby places

Placerville, CA - 23 miles away

Sacramento, CA - 63 miles away

South Lake Tahoe, CA - approximately 65 miles away.

Weather at Airport Flat Campground

Best Time to Camp at Airport Flat Campground

Best season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit for reliably warm, dry weather and full access to the campground — expect daytime highs in the mid-80s to low-90s (°F) and cool nights in the 50s–60s, making evenings perfect for campfires and stargazing. Early-morning and late-evening windows in summer are prime for fishing and wildlife viewing when animals are most active and trout feed in cooler water. Expect the campground to see its highest weekend use (15 first-come sites fills quickly), and be aware that a Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer described as best season; warm days and popular holiday use (but busy weekends).

Planning Tips

About Airport Flat Campground

Airport Flat Campground sits in the mid-elevation forest of Eldorado National Forest near Placerville, California. Operated by the U.S. Forest Service, this small campground offers spacious sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables for tent, RV, primitive, and group camping. Visitors hike nearby trails and swim in summer, enjoying quiet surroundings and bear boxes at no nightly fee.

Airport Flat Campground offers primitive, first-come, first-served camping for both groups and individuals.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit for reliably warm, dry weather and full access to the campground — expect daytime highs in the mid-80s to low-90s (°F) and cool nights in the 50s–60s, making evenings perfect for campfires and stargazing. Early-morning and late-evening windows in summer are prime for fishing and wildlife viewing when animals are most active and trout feed in cooler water. Expect the campground to see its highest weekend use (15 first-come sites fills quickly), and be aware that a Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: December, January

Elevation5400 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryTowering pines dominate the canopy at Airport Flat, creating substantial shade across most sites. A stream runs near the campground, attracting wildlife in early morning and late evening. The Sierra Nevada's Mediterranean climate gives this forest its character: bone-dry summers turn the understory golden, while winter Pacific storms feed the pines. At 5,400 feet, the air stays cool enough for comfortable summer nights even when days hit the low-90s.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground does not offer any hotel-style lodging or accommodations.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are offered at this campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 days maximum per stay.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Information not explicitly stated.

Groups

Sites are arranged into pods to accommodate groups of 15–25 people.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsNone applicable since reservations are not permitted.

Site SizeCampsites are large and can accommodate various setups, including trailers and rigs.

PrivacySites are described as large and well-spaced, providing a sense of privacy.

Total Campsites15 campsites

Recommended SitesVisitors are advised to come during weekdays to avoid overcrowding and noise.

Best CampsitesSite 5 lacks shade but offers peace and quiet. Reviews mention the large sites generally provide good spacing, though no other specific site numbers appear in the feedback.

Amenities available

Airport Flat Campground is a free, first-come, first-served campground featuring 15 individual campsites and a group site. Each site is equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof food storage lockers. The campground is surrounded by a dense forest of pine trees and provides a peaceful setting.

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The campground provides a serene environment for relaxation, with opportunities for wading in a nearby stream and exploring the surrounding forest.

Hiking

Swimming

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground.

Food Storage RequiredEach campsite is equipped with bear-proof storage lockers to ensure safe storage of food and scented items.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

57 reviews

Satisfactory

Airport Flat Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's affordability, peaceful setting, and basic amenities. However, some issues with overcrowding during weekends are noted.

Review Summaries

Based on 57 reviews

What Campers Love

Users appreciate the large, spacious sites, the peaceful and quiet atmosphere, and the availability of basic amenities such as picnic tables and bear boxes. The campground's free status is frequently...

Based on 57 reviews

Common Concerns

Weekend overcrowding, noise from large groups, and lack of maintenance (e.g., trash left by previous campers) were common complaints. Some reviewers also noted the degradation of the campground's...

Based on 57 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 5 was noted for having limited shade, but overall, sites are praised for being spacious and accommodating.

Based on 57 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend visiting on weekdays for a quieter experience, bringing plenty of water, and being prepared for dry camping without running water or electricity.

Based on 57 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are popular due to warm, dry weather with highs in the 90s and lows around 60°F. However, weekends are busier during this season.

Based on 57 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The campsites are large and have multiple family sites." - Michael Littman. "Very peaceful place full of pine trees." - NomadShabs. "Bring your own water, no camp host, but it's first come-first...

Based on 57 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, and no significant issues were noted by reviewers regarding bringing pets.

Based on 57 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want a no-cost basecamp in Eldorado National Forest with room to spread out and summer water access.

Skip if

You need guaranteed solitude on weekends or prefer developed campgrounds with flush toilets and hookups.

Nearby Campgrounds

Gerle Creek sits in Eldorado National Forest at mid-elevation, managed by Royal Elk Park Management and offering tent, RV, and primitive camping near a motor-free reservoir. The campground provides vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, with spacious sites that reviewers consistently praise for their size and privacy. Visitors come for swimming, fishing, and hiking in summer when warm days and cool nights make the reservoir ideal for water activities.