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Gerle Creek Campground

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"At Gerle Creek Campground, you’ll find yourself amongst lush forest and the sweet sound of rushing water.

Plenty of fishin’ and skinny dippin’ to be had here. Bring your canoe or kayak for some epic creek exploration (though we recommend not doing that in the buff). You can also take the short drive to Union Valley Reservoir and Loon Lake, stepping up your water sport game. Whether you stay on-site or head out for some adventures, you’ve got everything you need in this central spot."
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Available campgrounds nearby

Top-rated for location, privacy, and amenities near Eldorado National Forest

More to explore nearby

96%
15 ratings · 5 reviews
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Elektra M.recommends
October 19, 2023
All access camp. Many trails, campsites and bathrooms that can be accessed by all. The Forest Service has spent a lot of time and money upgrading this area over the years. Sections of the creek that I used to privately explore are now accessible with full on bridges and boardwalks. That said, there are always more places to explore beyond the obvious. Great for all ages of people. Potable water.
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Nicole S.recommends
July 1, 2019
We loved this place. Very pretty, relatively quiet, well-maintained. No cell service, which was a plus for me, but would have been good to know ahead of time as it's a little tricky to find. We never saw a sign for the forest road we were to turn on; it's labeled Wentworth on the signs. You might hear the Deliverance theme in your head as you drive down that road, but it gets better once you turn into the campground. Good place for families. Lots of dirt to dig in, nice, easy trails to hike, reasonably clean toilets, quiet at night. There were quite a few dogs and no one had them leashed at their campsites. Several wandered and while we didn't have any problems, it might not be good for those who are afraid of dogs. We plan to return.
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Tom G.recommends
October 8, 2018
No showers, way back in the sticks. Have a paper map, the cell service ends at a crucial point and roads are a little confusing.
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Danielle W.recommends
February 2, 2018
If you can't get in to Wolf Creek, go here.
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Katie M.
May 30, 2017
This place is beautiful! Lots of trees and granite everywhere. The campground feels very spacious. The reservoir does not allow motorized boats. The boat ramp and day use area is free to use! The toilets are all vaults here. Check in time is 2:00 p.m. Check out time is 1:00 p.m. Reservations are $25. This campground takes reservations and does fill up during the busy season. There are 50 sites and 2 are group sites ($50).The best will be to bring your kayaks, paddle boards, or anything to take out on the lake. There is a fishing pier and a good spot to take photos.

Other campgrounds in Eldorado National Forest

Your guide to camping in Gerle Creek Campground

Overview

Biking

The area surrounding Lake Tahoe offers plenty of biking opportunities. There aren’t too many trails around Eldorado specifically, but you can find some reviews and information on The Mountain Project . We recommend the El Dorado trail , a 30+ mile singletrack along an old historic railroad.

Boating

If you’re looking to wake up and get out on the water, you’re in luck. Many of the campgrounds are located along lakes and reservoirs for all you boat fiends who can’t wait to fish, paddle, or waterski with the sunrise (not sure if you can do motorized boating THAT early without annoying everyone around you). Definitely check out Loon Lake , a beautiful high-country lake with plenty of campsites and a boat ramp!

Fishing

Aside from the 11 reservoirs and lakes, there are hundreds of lakes in the wilderness areas that will answer all of your fishing wishes. Brook trout reproduce naturally in the backcountry, so these reservoirs and streams are stocked with trout. If you’re looking for a list of campgrounds where you can fish, you’ve come to the right place: lakes and ponds and rivers and streams . The Hell Hole Reservoir offers some of the best fishing around, with plenty of rainbow trout and kokanee salmon during the summer and fall. Wrights Lake is also a solid choice with year-round fishing and scenic views. You can find river fishing recommendations, nearby fishing supply companies, and a neat map here .

Hiking

With over 350 miles of hiking trails, you can walk along the foothills or trek through the Sierras and you’ll see stunning views. You can set out on trails like the renowned Pacific Crest Trail, see the beautiful Lake Margaret, or hike out to the breathtaking Horsetail Falls. You can’t go wrong here; check it out on All Trails .

Horseback riding

Hay horse friends, hit the trail! There are some pretty cool trails , like the Horse Canyon trail, the Emigrant Lake trail, and the Fleming trail. Atop your horse pal, you’ll want to stop at every lake, waterfall, and meadow, not to mention take in the incredible views, should you choose to head up to the mountains (we recommend it, since your legs won’t be sore).

Paddling

Wilderness areas only allow non-motorized boating, which means kayakers, canoers, and paddlers of all kinds, should head over to the beauties that are Desolation and Mokelumne Wilderness areas. Kayakers can try the streams and rivers, as well as paddle through the reservoirs and lakes.

Wind sports

Union Valley Reservoir seems to be the only place that allows kiteboarding and windsurfing, but you should ask a ranger, if this isn’t the destination you had in mind! There are a handful of campgrounds, including Wench Creek, Yellowjacket, and Sunset, that you can stay at if you’re planning on coming here to kiteboard/windsurf.

Off-roading (OHV)

Popular OHV routes are Elkins Flat , a whopping 69 mile trail perfect for motorcycles, and Gold Note , a 30 mile route great for both motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles; the two are linked. Of course, the legendary king of OHV, Rubicon Trail, is well worth checking out.

Climbing

Do you love rock climbing? Then head to Lover’s Leap, a granite formation, perfect for climbing and bouldering. At almost 600 feet of solid vertical granite, there are tons of cracks and dikes to make this a pretty doable climb. However, this is a hot spot, so be warned that there will probably be crowds, so try a different route if you’re confident in climbing! There’s a list of routes on Mountain Project .

Snow sports

Your recreation opportunities continue into the winter, with skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tubing, xc skiing and snowshoeing available. There are two ski operations that offer equipment rentals, Sierra at Tahoe and Kirkwood , located within the forest. You can also head to Loon Lake Chalet for xc skiing and snowshoeing, with miles of ungroomed backcountry trails.

Swimming

Water lovers should stay at these campgrounds if they’re looking to get some good swimming in. Reservoirs, lakes, and the sort generally allow swimming, and many of the stunning waterfalls offer some sweet swimming holes. In fact, there’s a secret swimming hole by Wrights Lake...

Whitewater paddling

One of the most popular whitewater trips is the south fork of the American River, which runs through Eldorado National Forest. It’s pretty wild, but still great for those of all experience levels. Many companies offer guided trips, so be sure to check those out!

Wildlife watching

There are almost 350 different species living in here… Holy cow! Common Sierra dwellers like mule deer, mountain lions, bears, bobcats, raccoons, marmots, squirrels, and gophers call this forest home, as well as the rare bald eagles and peregrine falcons. Birders will find quails, doves, wild turkeys, great horned owls, red tailed hawks, golden eagles, and hundreds of different songbirds. Wherever you’ll go, you’ll be sure to spot some wildlife critters!

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