Echo Summit area

Gerle Creek Area Camping

Eldorado National Forest

Mileages From Sacramento

  • Placerville - 44 miles
  • Crystal Basin - 82 miles
  • Wrights Lake - 87 miles
  • Twin Bridges - 85 miles
  • Echo Summit - 92 miles
  • S. Lake Tahoe - 103 miles




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Gerle Creek Area Campgrounds

Gerle Creek campgrounds are at about 5,300 feet in elevation and are usually open from mid-June through September. Single sites are limited to 1 vehicle and 6 people. An extra vehicle is allowed for an additional fee if parking space permits. Trailers are counted as vehicles.

The campgrounds are about 23 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50 and then another 24 miles north on Ice House Road. Finally take Forest Road 33 to Gerle Reservoir. Poular activities at the reservoir include fishing, swimming, and non-motorized boating. Picnic areas are nearby and hiking trails are available.

map of Gerle Creek area campgrounds, El Dorado National Forest, CA

Gerle Creek Campground

Photo of Gerle Reservoir, Eldorado National Forest, CA

Located on the shore of Gerle Creek Divide Reservoir, 27 miles north of Highway 50 on Ice House Road and Forest Road 33. The campground is at 5,300 feet and is usually open from Memorial Day weekend to mid-September. The campground is close to Gerle Reservoir.

Campground Amenities

  • 50 campsites, 15 for tents or RVs up to 50', 35 tent-only sites
  • Vault toilets, piped water
  • Picnic tables, grills, fire rings, bear boxes
  • Harvest Trail, a wheelchair accessible interpretive trail
  • Fishing pier

Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Gerle Creek Campground
Fees: $28

Airport Flat Campground

Located 2 miles north of Gerle Creek Divide Reservoir, 27 miles north of Highway 50 on Ice House Road and Forest Road 33. The campground is at 5,300 feet and is usually open from Memorial Day weekend to mid-October.

Campground Amenities

  • 16 campsites for tent or RV, arranged in pods to accommodate groups of 15 - 25 people in each pod
  • Vault toilets, no piped water
  • Picnic tables, grills, fire rings, bear boxes
  • Near Gerle Bridge OHV staging area

Reservations: None
Fees: None

Southfork Group Campground

Photo of Southfork Group Camp, Eldorado National Forest, CA

Located on the South Fork of the Rubicon River, 23 miles north of Highway 50 on Ice House Road. The campground is at 5,200 feet and is usually open from mid-June. to early November.

Campground Amenities

  • 1 group site for tents or RVs holding up to 125 people, vault toilets, no piped water
  • Picnic tables, grills, fire rings at group kitchen area
  • 2.5 miles to Gerle Creek Divide Reservoir

Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Southfork Group Campground
Fees: $100