Wrights Lake

Overview

Wrights Lake Campground is situated in the timber belt, close to the lake shore, looking up at the majestic rocky peaks of the Sierra Nevadas and Desolation Wilderness. The area is well-known for its hiking, wildflowers and birding.

Recreation

The campground provides access to the lake, where visitors enjoy trout fishing, swimming and boating activities. Motorboats are prohibited in the area.

Hikers will enjoy access to multiple foot and horseback riding trails within 5 miles of the campground. Various trailheads, including Bloodsucker, Rockbound and Twin Lakes trails, provide access to Desolation Wilderness.

Educational programs are offered at the amphitheater, and mountain biking and off-road vehicle use is popular on Barrett Lake Jeep trail. Wilderness permits for day hiking are available at the trailheads, and overnight hiking permits are available at Pacific Ranger Station.

Facilities

The campground offers dozens of campsites for tent and RV camping. Several sites offer sweeping views of Wrights Lake.

Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills, and firewood can be gathered in the area. Accessible vault toilets. A camp host is available during the daytime.

Natural Features

At nearly 7,000 feet in elevation, the campground is surrounded by pine and fir trees with a grassy understory. Wildflowers bloom throughout the spring and summer seasons.

Some sites are nestled among giant boulders, providing privacy for campers. The campground is close to Wrights Lake, a 40-acre body of water popular for its serene and quiet atmosphere.

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 65 camp sites:

  • Fire pit: all 65 sites
  • Pets allowed: 14 of 65 sites
  • ADA accessible: 45 of 65 sites
  • Longest RV: 99 ft
  • Largest party: 12 people
  • Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

Services within 25 miles · OpenStreetMap

Nearest propane: 19.5 mi · Shell

Nearest dump station: 7.5 mi

Nearest water fill: 11.2 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

Take Highway 50 east of Placerville, California, for 11 miles. Turn left onto Ice House Road and continue for 9 miles, then turn right onto Wrights Lake tie road. After 2 miles, turn left onto Wrights Lake Road.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

150 reviews
5 stars
82
4 stars
42
3 stars
14
2 stars
7
1 stars
5
Gary G
Loop:Wrig
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Gorgeous, quiet and clean! Some of the best hiking trails in Northern California.
Rebecca C
Loop:Tent
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
BEautiful campground. THe host was a bit grumpy and not helpful but the rest of the experience was wonderful
Saskia d
Loop:Tent
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
It's a great campground, but there was no drinking water nearby. Apparently there has been a waterline problem that hasn't been fixed yet. The camphost directed us to the motorhome part of the campground where we could find water. Fortunately we had a gallon container, but it should have been announced on the website so we would have known ahead of time and bring a bigger container. Or the camphost could have put out a big water tank or so. The water problem was poorly managed. And it would be nice if there were showers.
Rebecca M
Loop:Wrig
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Campground well tended. More bear boxes and water faucets. Pit toilets very clean.
Arvid O
Loop:Tent
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
We camped in the “tent only” section. It’s closest to the lake.
Michael B
Loop:Wrig
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
We stayed at site #61 in the campground. Nice site, plenty of room for a van plus second car. Not very crowed mid-week at the beginning of September. Took the hike out around the marsh and saw some good birds.
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

Jul 1, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028

Reservable online

Walk In season

Sep 7, 2028 – Sep 27, 2028

First come, first served

Camp Sites

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