Scenic Byway Camping

Camping at Utica Lake, Photo courtesy of Laura Bowly

Two state parks and two national forests along the byway route each offer camping opportunities in developed campgrounds, as well as in dispersed areas on national forest lands and within the Carson-Iceberg and Mokelumne Wilderness areas. Calaveras Big Trees State Park has two developed campgrounds, while Grover Hot Springs has one large developed campground.

The Calaveras Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest manages 13 developed campgrounds on the west side of Ebbetts Pass, while the Carson Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest provides several scenic campgrounds on the east side of the pass.

Contact Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Grover Hot Springs State Park or the Forest Service (Stanislaus or Humboldt-Toiyable) for information on individual campgrounds, availability, reservations and restrictions.

You can also check for camping availability on these consolidated sites: Recreation.gov and ReserveAmerica.com

Campfires are allowed in organized campgrounds. Campfire Permits are required annually and are good for the year they are issued. Campfire Permits are required on all Federal Lands within the Ebbetts Pass area. Campfire Permits are also required on private lands and must accompany a written letter of permission from the land owner. Campfire Permits are available at EPFD Stations 1 and 3, USFS Stations and offices and CAL FIRE Stations. Note: Current fire restrictions may seasonally prohibit campfires, even with a valid permit, due to high fire danger. Therefore, it’s crucial to check for current fire restrictions before any visit, especially during dry seasons. 

Popular Campgrounds Along The Byway

Calaveras Big Trees State Park: Offers two regular campgrounds open to tenting or RVs (units up to 30 feet long) for dry camping (no hook ups). There are environmental campsites in the park that are separate from the regular campgrounds, and two group campsites that can accommodate large groups.

Big Meadow Campground: Located on the Calaveras Ranger District, this scenic campground is within a conifer forest of red fir, white fir, and lodgepole pine with scattered quaking aspen. Sites are large, private and shady. Natural granitic rock outcrops are scattered throughout.

Lake Alpine West Shore: West Shore Campground sits directly off the north shore of Lake Alpine. It is walking distance to the boat launch, rentals, and Lake Alpine Lodge.

Lake Alpine Pine Marten or Silver Valley Campground: Located in the Calveras Ranger District, at the east end of Lake Alpine Recreation Area in a timbered setting near several trailheads.

Silver Creek Campground:  Located near the town of Markleeville on scenic Highway 4. Visitors enjoy fishing various waterways in the area and exploring the nearby Pacific Crest Trail.

Grover Hot Springs State Park: Camping at GHSSP is generally available year-round, conditions permitting. The summer campground has 76 family sites and is on a reservation system typically from mid-May through mid-September. After the reservation period is over, camping in the campground is first-come, first-serve until Fall. In October, winter camping moves to the picnic area near the park entrance, and the max length of RVs and trailers changes to 18 feet.