Gerle Creek
Campground · California · 50 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Eldorado National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 50
- Bookable sites
- 50 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 12
- People per site
- 24
- Accessible sites
- 5,265 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Gerle Creek Campground is nestled on the banks of the Gerle Creek Fork among a lush forest of hardwoods. The area provides lots of opportunity for fishing and water play. Hiking and biking are also popular.Recreation
Swimming, canoeing, kayaking and fishing are some of the fun things to do on the creek. Common fish species include brown and rainbow trout. An accessible fishing dock is located on-site.The Gerle Creek Interpretive Trail is fully accessible and provides scenic views and interesting displays.
Facilities
The campground offers single and double-family campsites, many of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided and firewood is available for purchase.Natural Features
Gerle Creek Campground sits at an elevation of 5,300 feet, upstream of Gerle Creek Divide Reservoir. It is on the Georgetown Divide within the Eldorado National Forest. Gerle Creek was named for two brothers who were early settlers and farmers in the region.Eldorado National Forest boasts over 400 miles of hiking trails, an abundance of lakes and rivers for fishing and swimming, and incredible scenery. The climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.
Nearby Attractions
Union Valley Reservoir and Loon Lake are within a short drive of the campground, offering additional fishing and boating opportunities.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.
- 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).
The facts
- Season: June – September — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 50 bookable sites
- 24 accessible sites
- Vehicles up to 50 ft
- Up to 12 people per site
- Loops: GERL
Site types
- 31 Tent Only Nonelectric
- 19 Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits.
50 campsites at Gerle Creek
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 1:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 50 ft | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 002 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 003 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 004 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 50 ft | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 005 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 006 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 007 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 50 ft | 12 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 008 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 009 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 19 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 010 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 011 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 012 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 013 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 014 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 015 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 016 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 017 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 018 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 019 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 020 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 021 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 022 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 023 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 024 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 025 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 026 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 027 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 028 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 50 ft | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 029 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 50 ft | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 030 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Riverfront | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 031 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Riverfront | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 032 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Riverfront | 50 ft | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 033 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Riverfront | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 034 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 035 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 50 ft | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 036 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Riverfront | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 037 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Riverfront | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 038 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 50 ft | 12 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 039 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Riverfront | 50 ft | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 040 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Riverfront | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 041 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 042 - HOST | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 50 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 043 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | Paved | — | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 044 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 45 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 045 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 046 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 20 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 047 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 20 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 048 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 049 | GERL | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 050 | GERL | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 35 ft | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
Getting there
From Placerville, drive 21 miles east on Highway 50 to the Icehouse Road turnoff. Turn left and go 28 miles north. Take the left fork 3 miles to the campground.
38.97500, -120.39167 · 38°58'30.0"N 120°23'30.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 7.1 | 6.5 | 6.3 | 3.4 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 3.9 | 7.1 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 14.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
Recreation Fee: Recreation fees are the fees a visitor pays for things like overnight camping, a day-use pavilion, group facilities, a tour or a permit. Recreation fees vary by location and/or activity. Reservation Fee: A fee may be charged at the time a reservation is made to cover the cost of reservation services. This fee is in addition to the Recreation Fee and is non-refundable. Fees for camping, day use, group sites, cabins and lookouts: $8 if made on-line; $9 if made through the call center; $3 if made in-person.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Gerle Creek
- Can you reserve a site at Gerle Creek?
- Yes, Gerle Creek is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Gerle Creek have?
- 50 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Gerle Creek?
- 50 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Gerle Creek?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Gerle Creek.
- Are campfires allowed at Gerle Creek?
- Campfires are allowed at Gerle Creek. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Gerle Creek also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Gerle Creek's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $28/ single site, $56/ double site. There are also fees for day use and extra vehicles. Wood is available for purchase from host.
Restrictions:
- The campground is at about 5,300’ elevation.
- Single units are limited to 1 vehicle and 6 people per site.
- An additional fee will be charged for an extra vehicle if the parking spur will accommodate it.
- Vehicle=Any equipment that is required to be licensed/registered. Includes RVs, trailers, cars/trucks, boat/car trailer, motorcycle/atv, etc. Vehicles parked in a truck or on a trailer are not counted separately.
- Please check with the campground attendant or entrance board before setting up your camp.
- All food must be stored in the food lockers (Bear Boxes).
- Use only dead and down wood for your campfires. Please keep family pets on a leash at all times.
Camping near Gerle Creek
- South Fork Group - Eldorado NF (CA) 1.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Loon Lake 3.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Robbs Hut 3.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Loon Lake Chalet 3.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (CA) 4.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Red Fir 4.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Van Vleck Bunkhouse 4.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Airport Flat Campground 0.9 mi · Campground
- South Fork Group Campground 2 mi · Campground
- Northshore Campground 4.3 mi · Campground
- Wentworth Springs Campground 4.4 mi · Campground
- Van Vleck Bunkhouse 4.6 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 831-245-6891
- Email info@royalelkparkmanagement.com
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-02.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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