Gerle Creek

Overview

Gerle Creek Campground is nestled on the banks of the Gerle Creek Fork among a lush forest of hardwoods. The area provides lots of opportunity for fishing and water play. Hiking and biking are also popular.

Recreation

Swimming, canoeing, kayaking and fishing are some of the fun things to do on the creek. Common fish species include brown and rainbow trout. An accessible fishing dock is located on-site.

The Gerle Creek Interpretive Trail is fully accessible and provides scenic views and interesting displays.

Facilities

The campground offers single and double-family campsites, many of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided and firewood is available for purchase.

Natural Features

Gerle Creek Campground sits at an elevation of 5,300 feet, upstream of Gerle Creek Divide Reservoir. It is on the Georgetown Divide within the Eldorado National Forest. Gerle Creek was named for two brothers who were early settlers and farmers in the region.

Eldorado National Forest boasts over 400 miles of hiking trails, an abundance of lakes and rivers for fishing and swimming, and incredible scenery. The climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.

Nearby Attractions

Union Valley Reservoir and Loon Lake are within a short drive of the campground, offering additional fishing and boating opportunities.

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).

Camp site features

Across 50 camp sites:

  • Picnic table: all 50 sites
  • Pets allowed: all 50 sites
  • ADA accessible: 24 of 50 sites
  • Longest RV: 50 ft
  • Largest party: 12 people
  • Equipment: Tent

Services within 25 miles · OpenStreetMap

Nearest propane: 17.6 mi · Shell

Nearest dump station: 10.1 mi

Nearest water fill: 11.6 mi

Fees

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.

Directions

From Placerville, drive 21 miles east on Highway 50 to the Icehouse Road turnoff. Turn left and go 28 miles north. Take the left fork 3 miles to the campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 1 PM.

Reviews

238 reviews
5 stars
189
4 stars
37
3 stars
5
2 stars
5
1 stars
2
Theodore S
Loop:Gerl
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Not very crowded as it was the last week. Very clean and a very nice manager. A favorite campground.
Diane M
Loop:Gerl
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
The camp host was welcoming, professional, thorough and kind. The camp is clean and well maintained. Thank you!
Al C
Loop:Gerl
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Our annual August trip to Gerle Creek wasn’t as great as previous years. Campsite 39 was nice, not as much shade as we had hoped. This was the first year that dogs off leash ran around the campground, not good for us when we have a very reactive dog. First year that the campground was noisy past quiet hour. The camp host drove around in his little golf cart but did nothing to speak with campers not following the rules. I didn’t recognize him from previous years, my guess he was new. Such a beautiful place to visit when you can enjoy your time and relax, but the noise and dogs this trip were too much for us.
Trevor F
Loop:Gerl
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
The best camp hosts!
Joe A
Loop:Gerl
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Beautifully kept campground in a beautiful location. The bathrooms are large and clean. The campsites are spacious with decent privacy (lots of trees). The campsites are also well developed, all with mostly level parking, picnic tables and fire pits. There are great, well-maintained trails that take you to the lake and the creek that feeds it. The camp hosts were great. There is no cell service.
Francisco M
Loop:Gerl
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Great week camping . Quiet and clean ! Great hosts
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Season dates

Peak season

May 28, 2027 – Sep 5, 2027

Reservable online

Walk In season

Sep 6, 2027 – Oct 10, 2027

First come, first served

Peak season

May 22, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028

Reservable online

Walk In season

Sep 7, 2028 – Sep 20, 2028

First come, first served

Camp Sites

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