Can you reserve a site at Red Fir?

Yes, Red Fir is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are campfires allowed at Red Fir?

Campfires are allowed at Red Fir. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Red Fir, California — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Situated on the north side of the Loon Lake Reservoir, Red Fir Group Campground offers a primitive group camping experience in the lush Eldorado National Forest.

Recreation

The nearby lake provides fishing, swimming and boating, and the campground is just a short walk across the road to the water's edge.

Visitors also enjoy off-road vehicle and motorcycle riding on the popular Rubicon Jeep trail.

Hiking and wilderness backpacking are popular activities. Day permits are available at the nearby Loon Lake trailhead and overnight permits are available at the Eldorado Information Center.

Facilities

The campground offers tent-only campsites, accommodating a group of up to 25 guests.

A group kitchen area is equipped with multiple tables, a campfire circle and grills. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided.

Natural Features

The campground is part of the Crystal Basin Recreation Area, situated at a 6,400-foot elevation and nestled in a forest of tall pine trees.

Nearby Attractions

The campground is not far from the Desolation Wilderness.

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: unknown – September — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
1 bookable site
1 accessible site
Up to 30 people per site
Loops: LOON

Site types

1 Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Shade

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills, pets allowed.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Red Fir

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 1:00 PM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
1	LOON	Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric	—	Paved	—	30	♿

Getting there

Take Highway 50 east of Placerville for approximately 21 miles to Ice House Road. At the river take a left and go north 28 miles, then veer right at the fork in the road and continue 9 miles to Red Fir Group campground.

39.00222, -120.31250 · 39°0'8.0"N 120°18'45.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

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, 9.8 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.

Common questions about Red Fir

Can you reserve a site at Red Fir?: Yes, Red Fir is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Red Fir have?: 1 site.
Are campfires allowed at Red Fir?: Campfires are allowed at Red Fir. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

125 /25 person

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Red Fir

Northshore Campground - Loon Lake (CA) 0.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Loon Lake Chalet 1.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Loon Lake 1.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Gerle Creek 4.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Van Vleck Bunkhouse 5.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
South Fork Group - Eldorado NF (CA) 6.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Northshore Campground 0.4 mi · Campground
Wentworth Springs Campground 0.9 mi · Campground
Pleasant Campground 1.4 mi · Campground
Airport Flat Campground 3.8 mi · Campground
Van Vleck Bunkhouse 4.6 mi · Campground
Upper Hole Campground 6 mi · Campground

Contact

Phone 831-245-6891
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Red Fir