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).

Camp site features

Across 87 camp sites:

  • Pets allowed: 79 of 87 sites
  • ADA accessible: 1 of 87 sites
  • Longest RV: 45 ft
  • Largest party: 18 people
  • Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

Services within 25 miles · OpenStreetMap

Nearest propane: 12.4 mi · Shell

Nearest dump station: 0.6 mi

Nearest water fill: 18.2 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 Pollock Pines, CA, take Route 50 east 8.3 miles to the Crystal Basin Recreation Area sign. Turn left at sign onto Icehouse Road and go 10.8 miles to the Ice House Campground directional sign. Turn right at the sign onto Forest Route 32, then go 1.1 miles to an intersection with a campground/boat ramp sign. Continue straight to campground.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

266 reviews
5 stars
192
4 stars
45
3 stars
11
2 stars
10
1 stars
8
Anthony B
Loop:Meadow Loop
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
End of season, quiet and serene!
Shannon A
Loop:Boat Ramp
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
The lake was beautiful, great for kayaking! We were treated to a sighting of two bald eagles on the north side of the lake. The camp hosts here are so friendly and helpful. We will return again and again!
Paula G
Loop:Meadow Loop
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
We frequent ice house and it’s easily our favorite. We’ve never camped after Labor Day and it was just a handful of us. The hosts are great and come around regularly. It’s clean & quiet.
Nicole A
Loop:Boulder Loop
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
The host showed us a campsite that was a walk to campsite that was much better suited for us. They were very helpful. The views from our campsite were amazing and the water was amazing. Can’t wait to go back.
Henry P
Loop:Meadow Loop
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Just an overall, good experience
Patti C
Loop:Boulder Loop
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Ice house was beautiful! The camp hosts were great! ! Everything was well maintained and clean!
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 – Oct 11, 2028

First come, first served

Camp Sites

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