The Sierra National Forest region around Shaver Lake encompasses a variety of camping options ranging from developed sites to dispersed camping areas. Camp Edison, situated directly on the shores of Shaver Lake, provides full hook-up sites with electricity and nearby water spigots throughout the property. Dorabelle Campground and Dinkey Creek Campground offer more rustic experiences with basic amenities like pit toilets and picnic tables. The area accommodates various camping styles including tent camping, RV sites, and even glamping options at select locations.
Road conditions and seasonal closures significantly affect camping access throughout the Shaver Lake region. Most developed campgrounds operate between Memorial Day and late October, with Camp Edison and a few others remaining open year-round. Several campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends when lake access draws large crowds. Winter brings snow conditions that limit accessibility to many forest service roads and primitive sites. Facilities vary widely from full hook-up RV sites with showers to primitive sites with no drinking water. "If you're looking for the picturesque mountain lake camping experience look no further. The employees were so friendly and caring it made our weekend. Area is clean, maintained and well loved," noted one visitor about Camp Edison.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings across multiple campgrounds in the area, with Camp Edison earning particular praise for its proximity to Shaver Lake. Campers highlight the clear water quality and easy lake access as major benefits. Several visitors mentioned the convenient boat rentals available at the marina, allowing for water recreation without hauling personal watercraft. Fire restrictions vary seasonally but often impact camping experiences during dry months. Wildlife sightings, including deer and occasionally bears, add to the mountain experience. "We saw some deer cruising through the campground, once with a coyote tracking them. A bear visited Cedar loop and made a mess out of one of the dumpsters," reported one camper, noting the active wildlife presence that can be expected in this Sierra Nevada setting.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$40 - $105 / night
"Great campsite if you want to camp around Shaver Lake in the Sierras of California. Beautify lake, plenty of water sports. The small town has great rustic mountain vibe."
"Shaver Lake is so beautiful! We try to get a campsite next to the water. We also reserve a boat so we can explore the lake."
$48 - $99 / night
"As a solo traveler, seeking a camping spot in the mountains near Shaver Lake, Dorabelle Campground was recommended to me by a long time local."
"Well maintained campground on Shaver Lake. Tight roads throughout the site, wouldn’t recommend a large trailer"
$47 - $275 / night
"I grew up going to Dinkey Creek and to the Girl Scout Camp nearby. This campground is remote and secluded there are good swimming holes, fly fishing and really beautiful area."
"It's location had perfect weather, warm during the day and cool, but not cold, at night. You surrounded by gorgeous tall trees and have access to swimming holes about a mile away."
$65 - $165 / night
"Just minutes from shaver lake and less than an hour away from so many iconic trailheads and wilderness areas. 45 mins from Snow at China Peak, 38 mins from the world's largest trees, dinky creek wilderness"
$47 - $96 / night
"Deer creek campground sits on the edge of Huntington Lake. Many of the sites have views of the lake or are right on the lake."
"Campground is right on the lake with walking trails. Added bonus is the campground is next to the boat launch."
"Let me start by saying it was worth driving six and a half hours to get here."
"The lakes are stunning, and there are a LOT of campsites to choose from. I also appreciated the space they provide at campsites to store food that are bear proof."
$30 - $200 / night
"Bathrooms were so-so with regard to cleanliness but most sites had its own access to water which was awesome!"
"Had a fun time with the family, had accesible restroom and showers, had picnic table so we could put our things, shade, place where we could set our tent with our truck next to us, and we were able to"
$47 - $121 / night
"It is a great place to stay for a week or longer and go explore all the surrounding area has to offer!"
"A well maintained campground & walking distance from the lake. Standard but roomy sites with the usual fire ring/grill & picnic table, bathrooms are clean too."
"If you enter from the Tamarack trail head and go down Rock Creek Rd its easy to get to the overlook tower."
LegendIt is a good paved Road although only about 1 and 1/2 Lanes wide! It looks like there are three sizable pull-offs along the road, we went to the very last one before it becomes the private land of the Armenian Church Camp. Intermittent T-Mobile coverage. Nice views, grass (which of course means evidence of cows), and only one other car passed by all day.
Scoutthe road in was a bit tough but definitely worth it!!! So many cute animals and all very friendly. Owner is so nice and showed us around. Definitely recommend.
RangerJust a Fantastic CG, But HARD to get a site as there are only maybe 10 sites But ON THE LAKE, some people even drop there boats in and boat to the CG, very cool, you can fish and CATCH plenty of fish from your site, again VERY COOL, lots of trees, bear boxes,(and YES you need it) and fire rings and a Pretty good bathroom for this type of CG I always try to get in whe i am in the area.
LegendOne of the few campsites that is open in the park (Dorst and Buckeye Flats being closed for the 2026 season) this site books up fast. Beautiful wooded site with lots of wildlife and shade. Wildlife includes bears, but all we saw was a turkey walking through the campsite. Lots of walking trails available from there campsite. Communal water, toilets, dumpster, recycling and pump out available. Each site seems to have a fire ring with a grate, a picnic table, and a bear box. No T-Mobile coverage, but you can get Wi-Fi at the visitor station.
LegendWent down Owen's River road to a spot just passed Big springs campground. It was on the right side of the road at 2 S8 Forest road
TravelerEasy camping a short drive from the Yosemite entrance. Watch for potholes as you head up the hill. We camped in the grassy area right behind the parking lot. Quiet and beautiful. We stayed two nights and had no issues.
ScoutThis takes you to a residential spot full of cabins. The last turnoff doesn't exist and can't find parking. I got here late-ish so now I'm not sure what I'm gonna do. Not a great first experience.
GuideClean, easy to access, and fun for fishing! Bathrooms r heated and hot water! Shower costs $5 for 40 mins so overall pretty good
LegendGreat site for dry camping. Had a bit of an issue with mice getting in my rig here.
Right on the river and lots of grasses for mice.
Nice walking trail right outside the campground.
Not much privacy, but spots are nicely spaced.
Shaver Lake campgrounds sit in the Sierra National Forest at an elevation of 5,500 feet, where temperatures average 75°F in summer and drop below freezing in winter. The region offers year-round camping options with notable seasonal transitions affecting water levels and trail access. Several campgrounds feature bear-proof food storage boxes due to active wildlife in the area.
Hiking from camp: Access trails directly from several campsites around Shaver Lake. From Camp Edison, campers can reach the short Moon Rock trail for evening stargazing. "Moon rock sits in a meadow and soaks up sun all day, making it a nice warm space to star gaze at night while listening to the horses in the stable nextdoor," notes one Camp Edison visitor.
Waterfall exploration: Within 15-30 minutes of many Shaver Lake camping areas, several waterfall hikes offer cooling breaks from summer heat. The area around Whisky Falls Campground provides numerous waterfall access points. "The waterfall is a short hike away, and there are plenty of trails to hike during the day, as well as dirt roads to explore," reports one camper.
Off-road adventures: Forest service roads throughout the region provide off-road experiences for various skill levels. The area around Bald Mountain offers multiple routes. "If you enter from the Tamarack trail head and go down Rock Creek Rd its easy to get to the overlook tower. If you enter from the Dinkey Creek entrance get ready for some good offroad ohv trail action," advises an experienced off-roader.
Swimming holes: Cooler, less crowded alternatives to the main lake are popular among campers. Dinkey Creek offers excellent swimming spots with crystal clear water. "This was my best camping experience ever. It's location had perfect weather, warm during the day and cool, but not cold, at night. You surrounded by gorgeous tall trees and have access to swimming holes about a mile away," shares a visitor to Dinkey Creek.
Lakeside proximity: Sites with direct lake access receive high marks from visitors. "We were the only tent campers there were some camp hosts in RVs and campers but far from our site. So when the night came around, we got visited by raccoons and coyotes. They went through our campsite but nothing major," notes a camper about their experience at Camp Edison.
Site privacy: Many campers appreciate the more secluded options available at campgrounds like Dorabelle Campground. "As a solo traveler, seeking a camping spot in the mountains near Shaver Lake, Dorabelle Campground was recommended to me by a long time local. My campsite was large, clean, with sunny and shade spots and separated from other sites by trees," reports one visitor.
Fire restrictions: Rules vary significantly by season and can change quickly during dry periods. Always check current restrictions before arrival.
Insect activity: Yellow jackets can be problematic in late summer. "The yellow jackets. The hosts said it was quite unusual so I tried not to let it color the overall review, but damn! You would be sitting down trying to read and a few would fly around your head or land on your hands. As soon as the food came out, they would swarm," reports a camper at Dinkey Creek.
Wildlife encounters: Bears and other wildlife are active in the area. "We saw some deer cruising through the campground, once with a coyote tracking them," notes one visitor to Deer Creek Campground. Food storage compliance is strictly enforced at all campgrounds.
Best swimming locations: Certain lake coves offer calm, shallow waters better suited for children. "The cove is perfect for relaxing with kids. Highly recommend," notes a visitor to Dorabelle Campground.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led programs for children. "Camp Edison has great activities during the summer season including guided educational nature walks, both day and evening, as well as kids' movies in the amphitheater. There is also a museum on site that offers activities and fun events like an ice cream social," shares a visitor.
Weather preparation: Temperatures can drop significantly at night even in summer. "It was a whole lot colder than I had thought, but luckily we just put some stones around our fire and wrapped it up in wool to keep at our feet and around our bodies when we did go to bed. It definitely kept us toasty," recommends a Camp Edison visitor.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require substantial leveling blocks. "The site wasn't level but was manageable. Bathrooms are outdated but clean, and they charge you an extra $5 to use the showers," notes an RVer at Camp Edison.
Utility access: Only select campgrounds offer hookups. "Some sites have full hook ups, but most have just electricity and cable TV, with water faucets nearby to fill your RV or use as needed if dry camping. There is a dump station on site and also a 'honey wagon' that will come to your site and pump out your waste water, if you desire," explains a visitor to Camp Edison.
Road condition alerts: Several access roads to campgrounds can be challenging for larger rigs. "Tight roads throughout the site, wouldn't recommend a large trailer," warns a camper at Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, which is often used as an alternative when Shaver Lake campgrounds are full.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds at Shaver Lake for tent camping?
For tent camping at Shaver Lake, Dorabelle Campground is highly recommended for its proximity to the lake, making it ideal for swimming and fishing. The campground is well-maintained with accessible restrooms, though the roads throughout are tight. For a more secluded tent camping experience, Dinkey Creek offers high-altitude camping with cool summer temperatures (70s-80s) and close access to water. While some sites aren't perfectly flat and can be close together, the campground features vault toilets, camp showers, and a decent camp store. Both locations provide authentic Sierra Nevada wilderness experiences with plenty of trails and exploration opportunities.
Is RV camping available at Shaver Lake campgrounds?
Camp Edison offers excellent RV camping options around Shaver Lake. This private campground provides clean facilities and great access to the beautiful lake, making it ideal for water activities. For those looking to accommodate larger RVs, Wishon Village RV Resort can handle Class A RVs from 34' to 43' in length with tow vehicles. Although the drive to Wishon involves a long climb, it remains a favorite among RV campers. Be aware that many campgrounds in the area have tight roads, so larger rigs should check site specifications before booking.
How do I make reservations for Shaver Lake camping?
Reservations for Shaver Lake area campgrounds can be made through different systems depending on the campground. For Mono Creek, reservations are non-specific to particular sites, which works well for larger groups. Deer Creek Campground at nearby Huntington Lake requires advance bookings for its lakeside sites, which are particularly popular. Most public campgrounds in the Shaver Lake area can be reserved through Recreation.gov, while private campgrounds like Camp Edison have their own reservation systems through their websites. The most desirable sites, especially those with lake views or during summer months, should be booked 6 months in advance when reservation windows open.
What amenities are available at Shaver Lake campgrounds?
Amenities vary across Shaver Lake area campgrounds. Swanson Campground offers a complete Sierra Nevada camping experience with access to plenty of trails but features more basic amenities. For more facilities, Bretz Mill Campground provides water and toilets in a big-rig-friendly environment. Many campgrounds in the area feature vault toilets, while some like Dinkey Creek also offer camp showers and camp stores. The more developed campgrounds provide potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings. Access to recreational activities is a major amenity, with opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking readily available throughout the region.
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