How much does camping cost at Ice House?

Camping fees at Ice House are $36 - $108/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Ice House first-come first-served or reservation?

Ice House 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 Ice House before I book?

Yes! Ice House has 7 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 Ice House?

Ice House is open May 22 to October 11. 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 Ice House?

Yes, Ice House has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Ice House have?

Ice House has 76 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Ice House?

Yes, pets are allowed at Ice House. 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 Ice House?

Ice House offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Pets Allowed, Camp Store. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Ice House?

Popular activities at Ice House include Hiking, Biking, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Ice House

Q: Can I have a campfire at Ice House?

Fire policies at Ice House: 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.

3.98

394 reviews

Ice House Campground, Eldorado National Forest, CA, USA

B-Report Card

Scenic ViewsSummer Destination

Featured in:Fishing Camping California

Quick Facts

5,500 ft

Price

$36 - $108/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

76 campsites

Season

Open season runs fro...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on Royal Elk Park Management Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

5,500 ft

Price

$36 - $108/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

76 campsites

Season

Open season runs fro...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on Royal Elk Park Management Official Website

Get Directions

Ice House

$36.00 - $108.00 / night

Campsite Fees

RV Nonelectric- Double Site: $72.00; RV Nonelectric: $36.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC-Double Site: $72.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC-Triple Site: $108.00;...

Standard Site Fee$36.00

Premium Site Fee$72.00

Get Notified When Available

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

831-245-6891info@royalelkparkmanagement.com

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Ice House Campground, Eldorado National Forest, CA, USA

Ice House

Ice House Campground, Eldorado National Forest, CA, USA

Nearby places

Nearby cities include Riverton (12 miles), Pollock Pines (approx. 21 miles), and Placerville (approx. 35 miles).

Weather at Ice House

Current alerts(11)

Bears frequent the area. Food must be stored in approved containers
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.
First Come First Serve sites remain listed as FF for the entire season. They will not show occupied/available as the status of these sites is ever changing. You must be on site at the campground to claim a FF site. No guarantees upon arrival that these FF sites will be avaiable.

Best Time to Camp at Ice House

Best season: summer. Summer offers the fullest range of on-site recreation — warm, sunny days (typically 60–85°F at 5,500 ft) and cool nights (40s–50s) make swimming, boating, fishing and long hikes comfortable. Ice House Reservoir is at its warmest and most accessible from late June through August, and the campground is reservable from May 23 to August 31 so you can reliably secure a site. Expect higher visitor numbers in July and August, but the lake and trail network handle crowds well and provide the best paddle Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Best season for boating, swimming and hiking; popular but can be overcrowded.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to October 11. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season runs from May 23 to August 31 (reservable). The first-come-first-serve season runs from September 1 to October 12.

About Ice House

Ice House sits in Eldorado National Forest near Riverton, California, at 5,500 feet elevation with direct access to Ice House Reservoir. Operated by Royal Elk Park Management, this large campground offers both tent and RV sites with full amenities including showers, a dump station, and a camp store. Campers use the reservoir for boating and swimming, and trails radiate into the surrounding forest for hiking and biking.

Ice House Campground offers a variety of camping options including tent sites, RV sites, and walk-to sites. Some sites are reservable, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the fullest range of on-site recreation — warm, sunny days (typically 60–85°F at 5,500 ft) and cool nights (40s–50s) make swimming, boating, fishing and long hikes comfortable. Ice House Reservoir is at its warmest and most accessible from late June through August, and the campground is reservable from May 23 to August 31 so you can reliably secure a site. Expect higher visitor numbers in July and August, but the lake and trail network handle crowds well and provide the best paddle Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation5500 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe 700-acre reservoir is the campground's centerpiece, ringed by ponderosa pine, cedar, and manzanita. At this elevation, the forest stays dense enough for shade but opens to water views from lakeside sites. The terrain is typical Sierra granite and mixed conifer, with some sites on exposed rock and others backed into vegetation. The reservoir's shoreline varies from sandy beaches to bouldered points.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere is no hotel-style lodge within the campground, but a nearby resort offers additional amenities.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay is 14 nights per calendar year.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Most sites allow 1 vehicle and space for additional tents.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made on Recreation.gov online, via app, or through a call center.

AccessibilityThe campground appears to have accessible features such as nearby water spigots and centrally located vault toilets, but specific details for campers with disabilities are not mentioned.

Site SizeCampsites vary in size, with some accommodating up to three 4-person tents. Site 6 and a few lakeside sites offer extra space and additional amenities like two fire pits and bear boxes.

PrivacyPrivacy levels vary by site; some are secluded (e.g., sites 28 and 29), while others are closer to neighbors.

Total Campsites76 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose lakeside sites for water access or sites away from common areas for privacy.

Best CampsitesSites 28 and 29 get consistent mentions for privacy. Sites 7 and 8 offer seclusion and water proximity. Site 6 is larger than most, with space for up to three four-person tents, two fire pits, and dual bear boxes. A handful of other lakeside sites provide extra room and direct reservoir access, though reviewers note that privacy varies across the campground.

Need help booking Ice House?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

No electric/water/sewer hookups at this facility

Showers

Potable water

Dump station

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Ice House

Ice House Campground features a wide range of recreational activities including hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and swimming. The nearby Ice House Mountain Bike Trail offers scenic views of the reservoir and Crystal Range.

Hiking4.0/5

Trails radiate from the campground; Ice House MTB Trail offers ridge-top views.

Boating4.0/5

Water Sports4.0/5

Biking3.5/5

Ice House Mountain Bike Trail (3.1 mi) offers ridge-top views and shaded slopes.

Winter Activities2.0/5

Signature experiences

Stargazing3.5/55,500 ft Sierra setting and praised scenic beauty imply good night skies (not widely cited).

Photography4.0/5Reservoir, ridge-top trails, granite and mixed-conifer scenery create strong photo ops.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsNo flush toilets are available at this campground. Only vault toilets are provided.

Food Storage RequiredBear lockers available at select sites, including doubles with additional amenities.

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.

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 bins are available and emptied regularly. Recycling facilities are also noted to be present.

Cell CoverageMixed reviews regarding cell phone reception: some campers found service available near the lake, while others did not mention service availability.

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

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.0

394 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Ice House has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Ice House Campground has received mixed reviews, with an average sentiment of 4.0158 for camping-specific experiences. Positive reviews highlight the peaceful setting, clean facilities, and variety of recreational activities. However, some users noted issues with management and occasional overcrowding.

Review Summaries

Based on 394 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers praise the clean facilities, scenic views, proximity to the reservoir, and variety of recreational activities. Many reviewers also appreciated the spacious and well-maintained campsites.

Based on 394 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints frequently mention rude or unhelpful camp hosts, noise disturbances, and overcrowding during peak seasons. Some users reported issues with the reservation system.

Based on 394 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Campsites 28, 29, 7, 8, and 75 are frequently recommended for their privacy and good views. Site 6 is ideal for large groups.

Based on 394 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring quarters for showers and cash for firewood. Arrive early for first-come, first-served sites. Consider sites 28, 29, 7, and 8 for privacy and proximity to the water.

Based on 394 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is the most popular season for camping, but overcrowding and noise can be issues. Fall offers a quieter experience, although water levels may be lower.

Based on 394 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Site 28 is awesome! It's more secluded and has two fire pits and bear boxes." - Phillip Hobson; "The bike trail is right behind Site 75 for short hikes to Strawberry." - Tim Wilcox; "Bathrooms and...

Based on 394 reviews