USDA Forest Service · California
Wrights Lake
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 77
- Hookups
- 65 with water, 56 no hookups
- Season
- July 1 to September 27
- Max RV length
- 99 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 6,949 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- WRIGHTS LAKE EAST CG (NFSR 12N23) · bituminous surface treatment · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Eldorado National Forest
- Address
- ELDORADO, CA
- Phone
- 831-245-6891
- Activities
- Birding, Camping, Day Use Area, Fishing, Hiking, Non-Motorized Boating, Swimming Site
64 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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).
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39° | 25° | 6° | 54° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 38° | 24° | 8° | 55° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 40° | 25° | 10° | 64° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 45° | 26° | 7° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 57° | 34° | 22° | 69° | 8 of 11 |
| June | 68° | 44° | 27° | 85° | 2 of 11 |
| July | 80° | 52° | 42° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 52° | 46° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 47° | 37° | 79° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 63° | 38° | 22° | 77° | 7 of 10 |
| November | 47° | 32° | 15° | 67° | 8 of 10 |
| December | 39° | 25° | 11° | 59° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Wrights Lake Equestrian Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 15 sites
- Lovers Leap · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 21 sites
- Strawberry Point Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi
- Northwind Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi
- China Flat · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 24 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-05-02. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.