Northwind Campground

Campground · California ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Eldorado National Forest (NF) · Open Access

5,469 ft
Elevation

Location: 23 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50 and 11 miles north on Ice House Road (Forest Road 3),then east (right) on Forest Road 32.

Northwind Campground Recreation Opportunity Guide (ROG) - This guide contains information, maps, and directions to assist you in enjoying your trip to the Eldorado National Forest.
 

The facts

  • Season: May – October — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026

Recreation.gov's own page

Getting there

38.83145, -120.34855 · 38°49'53.2"N 120°20'54.8"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 90°F in Jul, down to 43°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F445056637282908983665143
Low °F323133364247535349413531
Precip in9.68.88.84.93.20.90.00.10.62.95.39.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Northwind Campground

Can you reserve a site at Northwind Campground?
No. Northwind Campground is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Also listed by

Northwind Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Northwind Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $10/ single family site, $5 for extra vehicle.

Restrictions:

  • Single units are limited to 2 vehicles and 6 people per site. Double units are 4 vehicles and 12 people.
  • 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.
  • There is no piped water available at the campground. Lake water is available close by but should be boiled before using. Water quality testing is not performed on open water sources.
  • Please use the stove or fire ring provided. Use only dead and down wood for your campfires. Make sure your fire is dead out before leaving.
  • Check ahead. Campfires may not be allowed during fire restrictions.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Northwind Campground

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.