By:
Submission
Recreation Opportunity Guides (ROG) - These guides contains information, maps, and directions to assist you in enjoying your trip to the Eldorado National Forest. * [White Azalea Campground](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev7_018846.pdf) * [Non-motorized Trails](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev7_018779.pdf) * [Mokelumne Wilderness](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev7_018767.pdf) * [Mokelumne Wilderness web site](http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/eldorado/?cid=FSBDEV7_019063)
38 miles east of Jackson on Highway 88, 8.5 miles south on Forest Road 92 (Ellis Road), and 3 miles east on Forest Road 8N50 (Salt Springs Road)
Best camping where no one bothers you and is beautiful. Lots of water nearby.
Beautiful area, great camping locations! Make sure to get your fire permit before starting fires when camping or staying there!
As far as amenities there was no running water, nore showers. Didn't see any dumpsters, there was a lot of trash and beer bottles left behind. Roads difficult to navigate and no cell service.
Even though there were quite a few visitors there on my first trip, I give it 5 stars because of it's remoteness and beauty. It is pretty deep in a ravine on a one lane road so take it slow. My son says don't take Spur 19! Don't bother taking anything more than a tent because that's about all that will fit. ..even the sheriff left his truck and trailer on top of the mountain and rode down on his rock climber. Amenities. ..there are none aside from the out house which was pretty clean, running water is what you bring in or the river. I have a class C motorhome and I took it down and back up with no issue but there are no sites that will fit it let alone level. I parked down the road aways on a level spot so I could visit with relatives. ..at least I was comfortable! One last note. ..check conditions because from highway 88 it's over 6000 ft elevation so weather affects access. I was there in August and the road was just repaired days before I arrived. That being said, I'll return. ..with a tent!
Pros: Close to hiking/river; pretty; remote
Cons: Lots and lots of trash everywhere; un-neighborly campers and overly crowded tents in just a 4 site campground
• Site are NOT free anymore. $25/night
• Pack in/out your trash
• Forestry recommends no fires during fire season but people still had campfires
• Get your free camp fire permit via Cal Fire website
Camped here for the first time this past weekend. As an experienced camper/backpacker, I was surprised by the enormous amounts of new/old trash everywhere, embedded in the dirt of all the campsites, including broken glass, etc spread about. I cut myself on broken glass trying to pick up trash to make our site more pleasant.
The two of us were in the nicest spot, (I think) site 4, in the far left corner near the road. Stayed 2 nights. It is more secluded from the others however, there were about at least 70 people in this tiny campground overall with tons of cars blocking people (including us, in).
Not that this could be a regular occurrence, but a huge family of 6 vehicles came in the night when we were sleeping and set up 6 tents for at least 20+ ppl in a non-campsite space between our site and occupied site 3. Their tents, kids, hammocks spilled into our paid spot- invading our space and even asked if they could all use our fire pit. And throughout the days they were constantly walking through our camp, and blocking our car with theirs. It was very strange and rude considering we paid $50, picked up all the trash in our area and were respectful with normal camp etiquette.
In conclusion, the campground looks like a homeless encampment with tents on top of each other and piles
trash everywhere. You are much better off dry camping in the non-campground sites:
- cleaner
- prettier
- not loud or crowded
*Just remember NO campfires during fire season. And you need a fire permit even if you use a camp stove (that’s free online). And PICK UP YOUR TRASH!
