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Eldorado National Forest in California’s central Sierra Nevada mountain range bordering Nevada is situated within 3 to 4 hours of driving time from the metropolitan San Francisco Bay Area. Water is the major resource of this forest.
Eldorado National Forest receives around 56 inches of precipitation every year. The annual yield of this forest land is around 1,444,000 acre-feet. There are 297 lakes and reservoirs, 11 large reservoirs, and many other small, high mountain lakes in this forest. You will get a wide variety of recreational opportunities in this national forest to enjoy nature and outdoor activities.
Where is Eldorado National Forest
Eldorado National Forest is located in eastern California’s central Sierra Nevada mountain range. While Sacramento is located one and a half miles away, San Francisco Bay Area is located three to four hours driving distance from the forest. Check this California National Parks Map to find Eldorado National Forest on the California Map.
Places to Visit
- El Dorado County Museum
- Imagination Theater
- El Dorado Fairgrounds
- OARS American River Outpost
- Hangtown’s Gold Bug Park
- Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
- Vallejo Farmers Market
- Boa Vista Orchards
- Bell Tower
- Nello Olivo Winery
- Boeger Winery
- Lava Cap Winery, and many more
Things to Do
- Mountain Biking
- Camping
- Campground Camping
- Group Camping
- Cabin Rentals
- Horse Camping
- Rock Climbing
- Lake and Pond Fishing
- River and Stream Fishing
- Backpacking
- Day Hiking
- Horse Riding
- OHV Camping
- OHV Trail Riding
- Picnicking
- Water Activities
- Boating (Motorized and Non-Motorized)
- Swimming
- Waterskiing
- Windsurfing
- Winter Sports
- Skiing/Snowboarding
- Sledding/Tubing
- Snowmobiling
- XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
- Target Shooting
Best Hikes
-
Bassi Falls Trail
Bassi Falls Trail is a 3.6 mi (5.8 km) long out and back trail that will take you around 2 hours to complete. This short hike will take you to an incredible 109 ft (33 m) cascade. Six waypoints in this trail are a broken Tree tunnel, cascades, camp spot, shade view, falls, and a swimming hole.
-
Lake Margaret Trail
This 4.8 mi (7.7 km) long out and back trail, will take you around two and a half hours to complete. Lake Margaret Trail will help you get an amazing view of wildflowers, rocks, meadows, lakes, and rivers.
-
Wrights Lake to Enchanted Pools
One of the most popular hiking trails, Wrights Lake to Enchanted Pools, is a 3.4 mi (5.5 km) long trail that will take you over one and a half hours to complete. Enchanted Falls is the only waypoint.
-
Lyons Lake and Lake Sylvia via Lyon Creek Trail
This is a 12.3 mi (19.8 km) long out and back trail. It is a significantly challenging hike, suitable for advanced hikers. It will take you around six and half hours to complete the trail.
-
The Potholes
The Potholes is a short (1.5 mi or 2.4 km) and easy to hike trail that will take you around 40 minutes to complete.
List of Trails for hiking, biking and trail running
-
Day Hiking Trails and Areas
- Devil’s Lake Trail 16E20
- Capps Crossing Group Campground
- Fleming Trail System & Trailhead
- Pipi Campground
- Sly Guard Cabin
- Airport Flat Campground
- Gerle Creek Campground
- Lovers Leap Campground
- Allen Camp Trail 17E19
- Caples Lake Campground
- Granite Lake Trail 17E23
- Horse Canyon Trail 17E21
- Kirkwood Lake Loop Trail 17E53
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort
- Lake Margaret Trail 17E46
- Pacific Crest Trail North from Highway 88
- Pacific Crest Trail South from Highway 88
- Shealor Lake Trail 17E57
- Thunder Mountain Trail 17E04 & 17E22
- Woods Lake Campground
- Ice House Bike Trail
- Ice House Campground
- Northwind Campground
- Loon Lake Campground
- Loon Lake Chalet
- Blue Hole Trail 16E25
- Carson Pass to Lake Winnemucca Trail 18E13
- Cole Creek Trail 17E27 and 17E05
- Emigrant Lake Trail 17E18
- Lost Cabin Mine Trail (Round Top Lake) 17E47
- Round Top to Fourth of July Lake 18E13
- Shriner Lake Trail 17E70
- Summit City Trail 18E07
- Woods Lake to Lake Winnemucca Trail 18E06
- China Flat Campground
- Harvey West Cabin
- Silver Fork Campground
- Azalea Cove Campground
- Robbs Hut
- South Fork Group Campground
- Van Vleck Bunkhouse
- Wrights Lake Campground
-
Backpacking Trails and Areas
- Upper Hole Campground
- Allen Camp Trail 17E19
- Granite Lake Trail 17E23
- Horse Canyon Trail 17E21
- Pacific Crest Trail North from Highway 88
- Pacific Crest Trail South from Highway 88
- Shealor Lake Trail 17E57
- Thunder Mountain Trail 17E04 & 17E22
- Woods Lake Campground
- Loon Lake Campground
- Blue Hole Trail 16E25
- Beebe Lake Trail 17E31
- Black Rock Lake Trail 17E30
- Carson Pass to Lake Winnemucca Trail 18E13
- Cole Creek Trail 17E27 and 17E05
- Emigrant Lake Trail 17E18
- Evergreen Trail 18E21
- Grouse Lake Trail 18E08
- Long Lake Trail from Munson Meadow 17E27, 17E66
- Lost Cabin Mine Trail (Round Top Lake) 17E47
- Munson Meadow Trail 17E27
- Round Top to Fourth of July Lake 18E13
- Shriner Lake Trail 17E70
- Summit City Trail 18E07
- Tanglefoot Trail 17E29
- Woods Lake to Lake Winnemucca Trail 18E06
- Van Vleck Bunkhouse
- Wrights Lake Campground
-
Mountain Biking Trails and Areas
- Fleming Trail System & Trailhead
- Granite Lake Trail 17E23
- Horse Canyon Trail 17E21
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort
- Lake Margaret Trail 17E46
- Ice House Bike Trail
- Ice House Campground
- Northwind Campground
- Strawberry Point Campground
- Azalea Cove Campground
- Jones Fork Campground
- Lone Rock Campground
- Sunset Campground
- Wench Creek Campground
- Robbs Hut
- South Fork Group Campground
- Van Vleck Bunkhouse
- Wrights Lake Campground
-
Wildflower Viewing Trails And Areas
- Caples Creek Trail
- Lyons Creek Trail
- Rock Creek Road
- Thunder Mountain Trail
- Traverse Creek Botanical Special Interest Area
Facts
- Eldorado National Forest is spread across a total area of 596,724 acres (932 sq mi or 2,415 sq km).
- It consists of the Desolation Wilderness, Mokelumne Wilderness, and Wildflower viewing areas.
- It was established on July 28, 1910.
Best Time To Visit
Mid-April to the end of October is the best time to visit Eldorado National Forest.
Visiting Hours
- Forest Supervisor’s Office
- Schedule: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; Monday – Friday, year-round
- Placerville Ranger District:
- Summer Schedule: Monday – Saturday (8:00 am – 4:30 pm)
- Winter Schedule: Monday – Friday (8:00 am – 4:30 pm)
- Georgetown Ranger District
- Summer and Schedule: Monday – Friday (8:00 am – 4:30 pm)
- Amador Ranger District
- Summer and Schedule: Monday – Friday (8:00 am – 4:30 pm)
- Pacific Ranger District
- Schedule: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; Monday – Friday, year-round
- Placerville Nursery
- Schedule: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; Monday – Friday, year-round
- National Forest Genetic Electrophoresis Laboratory
- Schedule: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; Monday – Friday, year-round
Tickets
- Desolation Wilderness Permit:
- Reservation Fee: US$6
- Overnight Recreation Fee
- Adult:
- US$5 per person for the 1st night;
- US$10 per person for 2-14 nights
- Child: Free
- Desolation Annual Pass Holder:
- Free
- US$6/permit reservation fee applicable
- Adult:
US National Parks Map
