South Shore Campground, Pioneer, CA

South Shore Campground is located in the Amador Ranger District of the 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. The campground is normally open from the beginning of June to the beginning of September. 7 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Fees range from $28.00 to $84.00.

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Campsite Reviews (29)

3.8 out of 5

5 star		34%
4 star		38%
3 star		10%
2 star		3%
1 star		14%

@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

@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

@KevinB752 · Camped on Jul 14, 2021 at Campsite #1

Great Hosts, awesome campsite with super close proximity to Reservoir. Highly recommend!!

@KevinB3052996 · Camped on Jul 14, 2021 at Campsite #1

Great Hosts, awesome campsite with super close proximity to Reservoir. Highly recommend!!

@LonT7830305 · Camped on Jul 11, 2021 at Campsite #6

Camp hosts were very friendly and informative. Camp ground was clean, bathrooms were immaculate.

@LonT331 · Camped on Jul 11, 2021 at Campsite #6

Camp hosts were very friendly and informative. Camp ground was clean, bathrooms were immaculate.

@TrevorP665 · Camped on Jun 27, 2021 at Campsite #17

Friendly hosts, private and quiet campsites. Very tough to find level ground even with the parking pads and levelers. It would be nice if there was a proper set of stairs down to the water from the road instead of having to trip down a woods trail. Tough to manage but the lake was beautiful!

@MollyR826 · Camped on Aug 26, 2020 at Campsite #21

My cousin and I met here for a one night camping get away. She drove from Berkeley and I drive from South Lake Tahoe. It was exactly what we needed and gave us a perfect opportunity to see each other and have a way to visit while staying socially distant during the pandemic. It was easy to find, park, set up camp, and enjoy. We walked to the water a couple of times and sat on the rocks just soaking up the views. I highly recommend This campground if you are looking for an easy, car camping get away. We wish we could have stayed longer.

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