Northwind Campground

Lake Tahoe & Sierra

Lake Tahoe & Sierra

About this campsite

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.

Location

Northwind Campground•CA

Explore on our map Get Directions Open in Maps

Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

WED☀️

26° / 12°

—

TODAY☁️

27° / 15°

—

FRI☁️

27° / 16°

—

SAT☁️

29° / 15°

—

SUN🌦️

28° / 13°

💧 4%

Common questions about Northwind Campground

Can you book Northwind Campground online?

We hold no online booking link for Northwind Campground, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season. If a managing authority takes bookings by phone, their number is the fastest way to confirm a site.

Where is Northwind Campground?

Northwind Campground sits in CA. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

900m away

Strawberry Point Campground

Location: 23 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50 and 11 miles north on Ice House Road (Forest Road 3),and (right) 3 miles on Ice House/Wrights Lake Tie Road (Forest Road 32). Strawberry Point Campground Recreation Opportunity Guide (ROG) - This guide contains information, maps, and directions to assist you in enjoying your trip to the Eldorado National Forest.

1.3 km away

ICE HOUSE

Overview Ice House Campground is surrounded by a mixed conifer forest on the shores of Ice House Reservoir. Just 12 miles from Riverton, CA, the campground offers hiking, biking, jet skiing and fishing. Ponderosa pine is a pleasing part of the surrounding region. The trees fill the air with a vanilla aroma and it's the tallest known pine tree in the country. To date, the tallest Ponderosa measured was an impressive 268.35 feet tall. Recreation Enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating on Ice House Reservoir. Rainbow, brown, and trout swim in these waters. A boat ramp is located on-site. Hike or bike on the Ice House Mountain Bike Trail, which stretches for 3.1 miles along ridge tops and shaded northern slopes. The trail boasts views of the reservoir and the Crystal Range. Facilities Amenities include a picnic area, drinking water faucets, vault toilets, showers, and a dump station. Firewood is sold on-site and a nearby resort offers a restaurant, gas and limited groceries. The facility was newly renovated in 2022. Natural Features Some campsites at Ice House are right on the shoreline while others are set back just enough for plenty of shade from towering ponderosa pines, cedars and Manzanita bushes. The reservoir spans 700 acres at 5,500 feet elevation. The area is part of the Eldorado National Forest, which stretches across the famed gold mining territory of the 1800s. Its climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters. Nearby Attractions Head to Bassi Falls, which can be reached via a 1.2-mile hiking trail. The glorious waterfall cascades over a 109-foot granite cliff. 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).

3.6 km away

SILVER CREEK GROUP CAMPGROUND

Overview Silver Creek, located in the Crystal Basin area, offers a fun atmosphere with beautiful scenery for group gatherings. The Ice House Reservoir is less than 2 miles away, providing fun options for motor boating, jet skiing and more. Eldorado National Forest includes the famed gold mining territory of the 1800s. Remnants of the days of the California Gold Rush are all around the region. Recreation Swimming and fishing are both excellent recreation options on the creek. Rainbow and brown trout are found in these waters. The nearby Ice House Campground is convenient for access to Ice House Reservoir. Here, campers can swim, sunbathe, canoe or go water skiing. Hikers and mountain bikers can also find trails in the area. Facilities No drinking water is available, so bring water or use properly boiled stream water. The group site can accommodate 40 guests for tent camping. The sites include 9 walk-to units and 4 sites with parking spurs. There is a central kitchen area for cooking. Here, there is one large group fire ring. This is the only fire ring at the site. Parking is only in the parking lot ( more campground details ). A dump station is provided at nearby Ice House Campground, and showers are at Fashoda Campground. Natural Features Silver Creek sits under canopy of conifers like the ponderosa pine. The South Fork Silver Creek runs through the southern end of the campground, providing a peaceful soundtrack with its gently flowing water. The Eldorado Forest is in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, an area known for granite peaks, alpine lakes and pine forest. An abundance of wildlife can be found within the Sierra Nevada Range, including black bears, mule deer, bobcat, gray fox, bighorn sheep, pikas, martens and a variety of squirrels. Several species of reptiles, amphibians and birds also inhabit the area. Nearby Attractions The Desolation Wilderness is nearby, offering the opportunity to get away from the crowds and enjoy the serenity of nature. Charges & Cancellations Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes. Cancellation Fee: Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. 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 14 days before your arrival date. 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).

4.4 km away

Jones Fork Campground

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

5.4 km away

BIG SILVER GROUP

Overview Big Silver Group Campground offers tent and RV camping for up to 50 guests. The campground is located 23 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50 and 16 miles north on Ice House Road, east of nearby Union Valley Reservoir. Recreation Visitors may enjoy forest-lined scenic views and recreation opportunities, such as, hiking, fishing, biking, wildlife viewing and migratory bird spotting. The campground has immediate access to the Union Valley Bike Trail; an easy 5.8 mile, two-lane bikeway with a few short, steep grades. Facilities The campground consists of three easy access tent camp units; four easy access tent, trailer or RV units; and three walk-in camp units. A group kitchen area includes multiple tables and grills, as well as a campfire circle. Accessible vault toilets and trash collection are provided. There is no piped water or electricity available at the campground. Campers must bring water from home, or be prepared to sterilize stream water. Stream water is available close by, but should be boiled or chemically treated before using. A convenience store with a restaurant, gas and phone is within 10 miles, south on Ice House Road. The nearest town is Pollock Pines, approximately 25 miles away. Natural Features Big Silver Group Campground is situated alongside Big Silver Creek where it pours into Union Valley Reservoir. Much of the campground is flat and shaded by a Ponderosa pine forest. Gentle to moderate slopes lead to the creek and walk-in campsites. Union Valley Reservoir is a 5-minute bike ride from the campground. Charges & Cancellations 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. Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes. Cancellation Fee: Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.. 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 14 days before your arrival date. Late Cancellation: If you cancel your reservation too close to the start date, additional service fees may be withheld.