South Shore Campground, CA - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map

South Shore Campground is located in the Amador Ranger District, Eldorado National Forest (1 hr 29 min east of El Dorado Hills, CA) with an elevation of 6,093 feet. There are a total of 11 campsites including 4 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of June to mid September. 7 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $28.00 to $84.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, floating sports.
Bear River ReservoirBear River Reservoir

Campsite Reviews (34)

3.9 out of 5

5 star
35%
4 star
41%
3 star
9%
2 star
3%
1 star
12%
@KylieAnaL2C963 · Camped on Aug 8, 2025 at Campsite #1
Awesome site! Super close to the water, trash, bathrooms and the closest to the Reservoir! Only thing that we didn't like was it was very sloped. We all ended up slowly sliding to one side of the tent every night and the tent spot we picked was definitely the most flat. We could also only use one of the tables because the other was way too slanted and there was nowhere flat enough to put the one we brought. Still highly recommend this campground! Though I'll probably pick one of the other spaces in it for next year
@MarkH6047851 · Camped on Aug 8, 2025 at Campsite #5
Our stay at South Shore Campground was great. Camp host was very helpful.Went swimming at marina. Clean and easily accessible.
@DouglasS589227 · Camped on Jul 27, 2025 at Campsite #19
Very nice campsite went during the week very quite and peaceful
@GinoR437D77F2E · Camped on Jul 7, 2025 at Campsite #19
Bear River is walking distance. Bear River resort is across the lake which offers showers.
@EmmaP953543606 · Camped on Jun 29, 2025 at Campsite #18
Excellent location, close to lake. Site 18 was large but the only flat space to set up a tent was very close to the table and parking space of neighbouring sites. Very quiet campground however. Vault toilets kept very clean. Would recommend.
@KelleyH4C29A97 · Camped on Jul 22, 2024 at Campsite #6
This campground is built on a fairly steep hillside so the parking areas are fairly small and right off the road, but many of the campsite areas are below the road and some even have stairs leading down to them. The parking is also unpaved, uneven and unlevel (if traveling in a camper, make sure you have levelers!). If you're driving a small RV or camper van, be aware that there are many low overhanging branches that you will hit on the campground road. This road also currently has several very big, deep potholes that are difficult to avoid on the narrow road. Campsite areas vary in size because of the hillside from quite small (like 6 which only has room for the existing picnic table and maybe two tents) to bigger ones further up the hill. Despite being on a hillside, the area is heavily forested so there is no view of the lake except some filtered view through the trees. Unfortunately, there is no easy access to the lake from this campground even though the lake is right across the road because the shoreline is made of large boulders or has brush and is heavily treed and after seeing a large rattlesnake cruise through our campsite in the afternoon (and several more snake tracks through the powder dirt seen while on my bike ride), I was reluctant to walk through any brush. Lake access can be from the Pardoes Point Campground boat ramp (about a mile away) or driving back over the dam and parking by the resort (a mile in the other direction). There is ZERO cell service. There were no signs of bears and not even any bear boxes provided for the sites or bear proof dumpsters. Trash was overflowing at the dumpsters from the weekend, but despite not getting picked up until Tuesday morning, it was undisturbed by bears. Overall, it was a nice campground, beautiful area, the vault toilets were reasonably clean, but not a place that I would stay more than a couple days.
@YvonneH4580082 · Camped on Jul 3, 2024 at Campsite #7
Beautiful setting
@MarleneJ59A6AA · Camped on Jun 25, 2024 at Campsite #6
Great camping grounds. Completely shaded Picnic table and fire pit available. Bathrooms were super clean.Definitely booking again
@GinoR437D77F2E · Camped on Jun 23, 2024 at Campsite #21
The lake was the fullest weve seen in 17 years. Fishing was great.
@DanielV1589109 · Camped on Jun 11, 2024 at Campsite #17
The advertised rig length that can actually fit into our chosen spot was OFF BY A MILE! We have a 33ft 5th wheel and the orientation of the spot we selected (which clearly said it could accommodate our size rig) made it physically impossible to get into. We tried for an hour and the placement of various trees, large rocks and posts made it impossible to back the rig in. And yes, before you dismiss this as an inexperienced camper's whining, I have a great deal of experience maneuvering this rig...if it can fit, I can get it parked. The only saving grace was the camp host let us go into a different spot. You need to review this entire campground for what can & can't fit / maneuver into your assigned spots.
@MichelleC42331 · Camped on Jul 21, 2023 at Campsite #6
Nice campsite, easy to get to, campsites were somewhat close together. Close to a resort across the lake that had billiards and beach access. My reservation was for campsite 6, which was one of the closest to the main road so it got some car noise throughout the day. Vault toilets were clean enough.
@CherylJ7376187 · Camped on Jul 16, 2023 at Campsite #11
We love this place. It is beautifully maintained. The only downside is the campers have to pay for Day us parking.
@artc73EEE59301 · Camped on Jul 9, 2023 at Campsite #16
The camp sites are well maintained including clean fire pits. The sites are large enough that your neighbors are not encroaching on your space. The camp host is always very welcoming. The fishing and kayaking was great for the kids and adults. This lake has beautiful views.
@GabrielM971453 · Camped on Aug 27, 2022 at Campsite #1
Love this campsite
@IlyaK7976422 · Camped on Aug 19, 2022 at Campsite #22
Well run and clean campground. A bit hilly. Only vault toilets. No cell reception.
@TerryC3713393 · Camped on Aug 18, 2022 at Campsite #1
The site I signed up for as a double was definitely NOT a double in parking for out two tiny teardrops😱. The picnic area and tent area was spacious and beautiful. But parking for 2 trailers (4 vehicles) was not there. Luckily we were there during the week and the camp hosts helped accommodate us. Thanks. By Friday night things got a little loud but mostly stopped at 10. The Bear River Reservoir is lovely and we had a grand time paddling it and enjoying the shore. Had dinner one night at the lodge and their fish and chips were good.
I feel this is really a grand tent/car camping location, but I would not recommend it for trailers-even small ones. It would be nice to have some clear pictures and specs on camp sites so rv ers know what to expect
@HeatherG779153 · Camped on Aug 18, 2022 at Campsite #7
Nice campground. The best sites are up the hill along the loop. The sites weren’t level, but mine was long enough that I could make it work. This campground is best for tents, vans and small trailers. Bathrooms clean and water was available.
@ShelleyP651318 · Camped on Jun 23, 2022 at Campsite #7
Great place with wonderful camp hosts. Vault toilets and grounds very clean. Access to lake was a 10 min walk across the road and through wooded areas. Would definitely return.
@KateJ3004913 · Camped on Aug 13, 2021 at Campsite #19
Our site was great. Plenty of room, easy to get the trailer in, close to bathrooms which were VERY clean, Camp Hosts we’re friendly. Overall another great trip to Bear River!
@KateJ547 · Camped on Aug 13, 2021 at Campsite #19
Our site was great. Plenty of room, easy to get the trailer in, close to bathrooms which were VERY clean, Camp Hosts we’re friendly. Overall another great trip to Bear River!
@NancyM979 · Camped on Aug 12, 2021 at Campsite #18
Access to water was fairly easy and the water temperature was perfect for swimming. It was delightful given the air temperature was in the nineties (Aug.). A store and restaurant and boat rentals were also nearby. Toilets are pit, but well maintained. The hosts were extremely helpful.
However, BEWARE the driving directions on the reservation are incorrect. From Pioneer turn right at the Bear Resort not left as their direction say.
@NancyM7309003 · Camped on Aug 12, 2021 at Campsite #18
Access to water was fairly easy and the water temperature was perfect for swimming. It was delightful given the air temperature was in the nineties (Aug.). A store and restaurant and boat rentals were also nearby. Toilets are pit, but well maintained. The hosts were extremely helpful.
However, BEWARE the driving directions on the reservation are incorrect. From Pioneer turn right at the Bear Resort not left as their direction say.
@AndrewA9865886 · Camped on Jul 23, 2021 at Campsite #11
The campsite was great and the location was great, but the noise from the other campers from 3-4 other sites throughout the night was crazy! We could not sleep and ended up leaving early. The hosts seem to not even notice.
@AndrewA169 · Camped on Jul 23, 2021 at Campsite #11
The campsite was great and the location was great, but the noise from the other campers from 3-4 other sites throughout the night was crazy! We could not sleep and ended up leaving early. The hosts seem to not even notice.
@KevinB752 · Camped on Jul 14, 2021 at Campsite #1
Great Hosts, awesome campsite with super close proximity to Reservoir. Highly recommend!!

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