USDA Forest Service · California

Bridal Veil Group Area and Picnic Ground

USDA Forest Service · California, United States

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Sites
1
Hookups
1 no hookups
Season
May 29 to September 6
Group sites
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
3,163 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
AT&T weak · Verizon weak · T-Mobile good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
BRIDAL VEIL PICNIC (NFSR 11N61) · bituminous surface treatment · suitable for passenger cars
Lake
Eldorado National Forest
Nearest town
CAMINO
Address
4260 EIGHT MILE ROAD, CAMINO, CA, 95709
Phone
831-245-6891
Activities
Camping, Fishing, Swimming

1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

Bridal Veil Group Campsite and Picnic Area is located on the South Fork of the American River. It offers picnicking sites, a group overnight area, beautiful swimming holes, and close access to fishing.

Recreation

This site provides two large swimming holes in the river that are popular with the local residents. Fishing is also a popular activity, mainly rainbow and brown trout.

Facilities

Bridal Veil Group Area is on a hill overlooking the river and day use area. The group area includes lot-style parking with 7 parking stalls, 5 tent pads, 8 picnic tables, 6 serving tables, and a large group fire ring. Group campsite users may use the day use areas with no additional fees. None of the facility is accessible. There is no water available on site. The facility has a host on site from mid-May through mid-October.

Natural Features

Sitting at an elevation of 3,200 feet, Bridal Veil group campsite provides easy access to the American River. A Mediterranean climate extends over most of this forest, creating warm, dry summers, and cold, wet winters. Vegetation is mixed conifers with riparian vegetation along the river.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors enjoy scenic drives along Highway 50 and surrounding forest roads. The site is within a half hour drive of both Jenkinson Lake and Crystal Basin. It is 10 minutes from the stores and restaurants of Pollock Pines and 5 minutes from Bridal Veil Falls. South Lake Tahoe is a 45 minute drive.

Charges & Cancellations

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.

Change Fee: A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes.

Cancellation Fee: Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee..

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 14 days before your arrival date.

Late Cancellation: If you cancel your reservation too close to the start date, additional service fees may be withheld.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January53°37°24°68°6 of 11
February53°37°23°71°7 of 11
March54°37°24°81°7 of 11
April61°41°26°75°4 of 11
May71°50°36°85°0 of 11
June82°57°41°99°0 of 11
July92°65°54°103°0 of 11
August91°64°58°101°0 of 11
September83°59°50°91°0 of 11
October74°51°39°88°0 of 10
November61°44°29°77°3 of 10
December53°39°22°69°4 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

All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.