Big Silver Group Campground

For Californians seeking an ideal setting for large gatherings and memorable outdoor adventures, Big Silver Group Campground in Kyburz, CA, presents a unique and compelling option. Nestled within the vast and beautiful Eldorado National Forest, this campground is specifically designed to accommodate substantial groups, making it a perfect choice for family reunions, scout troops, or friends looking to experience the Sierra Nevada together. This comprehensive guide will delve into what makes Big Silver Group Campground a noteworthy destination, covering its distinct location, the services it provides, its standout features, and essential contact information. Our aim is to offer a clear, engaging, and factual overview from a local's perspective, helping you plan your next group escape into California's majestic wilderness.

Big Silver Group Campground is highly regarded for its capacity to host significant numbers of people, providing a dedicated space for group activities. While it offers a more rustic experience without running water or electricity at the sites, visitors consistently praise its spaciousness, the presence of a central group area, and easy access to a nearby stream and the expansive Union Valley Reservoir. Its proximity to outdoor activities like hiking and biking further enhances its appeal. Despite being situated off a busy road during the day, the evenings bring a welcome tranquility, allowing for classic campfire experiences under the Sierra stars. It’s a place where groups can truly connect with nature and each other, away from the typical crowded individual campsites.

Big Silver Group Campground is located in Kyburz, CA 95720, USA, specifically within the Eldorado National Forest. Its coordinates place it alongside Big Silver Creek, where it flows into the scenic Union Valley Reservoir. This strategic location offers campers direct access to a beautiful natural environment, characterized by shaded Ponderosa pine forests and the refreshing waters of the creek and reservoir. It's situated about 23 miles east of Placerville on Highway 50, and then approximately 16 miles north on Ice House Road (Forest Road 3).

Accessibility to Big Silver Group Campground is straightforward via well-maintained roads for most vehicles. Ice House Road, while described as "busy" and potentially "loud during the day" due to traffic, ensures relatively easy access for both cars and RVs. Despite the daytime road noise, the campground tends to become "quiet at night," allowing for peaceful evenings. The campground entrance features a gate that, if kept closed, helps deter unwanted vehicle traffic, though day visitors can still walk through to access the stream. Its location provides convenient access to nearby amenities; Fashoda Campground, offering pay showers, is just a five-minute drive away, and a mom-and-pop store (with a restaurant, gas, and phone) is approximately ten minutes south on Ice House Road towards Highway 50. This balance of a natural setting with nearby conveniences makes it an attractive option for group camping trips in the Sierra Nevada.

Big Silver Group Campground is tailored to large groups, offering specific amenities to facilitate communal camping, though it maintains a rustic feel by not providing all modern conveniences.

• Single Reservation Group Campsite: This campground is available as a single reservation, designed to accommodate large groups of up to 50 people. This makes it ideal for private gatherings, ensuring your group has exclusive use of the area.
• Multiple Individual Sites: Within the group campground, there are 10 individual sites, each equipped with its own picnic table and fire ring. This allows for both communal gathering and individual privacy within the larger group setting.
• Walk-In Riverside Sites: Three of the 10 sites are designated as walk-in only and are ideally situated river-side, offering a more serene and private camping experience right next to the water.
• Central Group Area: The campground features a dedicated central group area. This space includes two BBQ pits, a large group fire ring, and four additional tables, perfect for shared meals, campfires, and group activities.
• Vault Toilets: A single-stall vault toilet is available in the center of the group campground. While basic, it provides essential restroom facilities (note: the door lock was reported as broken in July 2018, so checking current conditions might be advisable). Accessible vault toilets are generally provided.
• Bear-Proof Trash Receptacle: A large, bear-proof trash receptacle is provided, crucial for managing waste and deterring wildlife in this bear-frequented area. Campers should still practice proper food storage in their individual sites.
• Vehicle and RV Capacity: The campground can accommodate up to 12 vehicles or a combination of four RVs and six vehicles, offering flexibility for different group transportation needs.
• No Running Water or Electricity: It's important for visitors to note that there is no running water or electricity directly at the campsites or in the main group area. Campers must bring their own water or be prepared to sterilize stream water for use.
• No Bear Boxes at Sites: While a group bear-proof trash receptacle is present, individual bear boxes are not noted for each site, reinforcing the need for campers to have their own bear-resistant food containers.

Big Silver Group Campground boasts several key features that contribute to its appeal, particularly for groups seeking a rustic yet functional outdoor experience:

• Ideal for Large Groups: Its primary highlight is being a dedicated, single-reservation group campsite capable of hosting up to 50 people across 10 individual sites. This exclusivity and capacity make it perfect for large gatherings, ensuring privacy and ample space for all.
• Spacious Layout with Individual & Group Areas: The combination of individual sites with picnic tables and fire rings, alongside a large central group area with BBQ pits and a big fire ring, offers both communal gathering spaces and personal privacy.
• Stream Access and Swimming Hole: The campground is conveniently located next to Big Silver Creek, offering "somewhat easy access to a 5' deep swimming hole" near the footbridge. This provides a refreshing opportunity for a dip during warm weather, along with the relaxing sound of flowing water.
• Proximity to Union Valley Reservoir: Big Silver Creek pours into Union Valley Reservoir, which is just a "5-minute bike ride from the campground." The reservoir offers black bass and brown trout fishing, as well as opportunities for boating, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and other water sports.
• Access to Union Valley Bike Trail: The campground has "immediate access to the Union Valley Bike Trail," an "easy 5.8 mile, two-lane bikeway." This is a significant highlight for cycling enthusiasts looking for scenic rides.
• Nearby Amenities for Convenience: Although the campground itself is primitive, the proximity to Fashoda Campground (for pay showers) and a nearby mom-and-pop store (for essentials, gas, and food) adds a layer of convenience that is valuable in a remote setting.
• Shaded by Ponderosa Pine Forest: Much of the campground is flat and "shaded by a Ponderosa pine forest," providing natural cooling and a pleasant ambiance, especially during sunny days.
• Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: Being in the Eldorado National Forest, the area provides chances for wildlife viewing, including migratory birds. Visitors should, however, be prepared for biting flies and ensure proper food storage due to bears.

As Big Silver Group Campground is part of the Eldorado National Forest, specific inquiries and reservations are typically managed through the U.S. Forest Service or their designated reservation platforms.

Address: Kyburz, CA 95720, USA (General area within the Eldorado National Forest)

For reservations, which are required for group campgrounds, or for more detailed local information, it is best to contact the relevant Ranger District or the National Recreation Reservation Service.

Pacific Ranger District (Eldorado National Forest)

Phone: (530) 644-2324 (This number is likely for the administrative office, which can provide general information or direct you to the correct contact)

Mobile Phone: +1 530-644-2324 (Same as above)

For reservations, it's recommended to use Recreation.gov, the official platform for booking federal recreation sites.

Recreation.gov Website: www.Recreation.gov (Search for "Big Silver Group Campground")

For Californians, Big Silver Group Campground offers an unparalleled opportunity for large groups to experience the raw beauty of the Sierra Nevada. Its dedicated group-site format, accommodating up to 50 people, eliminates the challenge of coordinating multiple individual sites, making it an ideal choice for family reunions, friends' getaways, or organizational trips. This exclusivity ensures privacy and a communal atmosphere that is hard to find in standard campgrounds.

While Big Silver maintains a rustic charm by not offering running water or electricity at the sites, this simplicity encourages a true immersion in nature, a welcome escape from daily routines. The presence of well-maintained vault toilets, a large bear-proof trash receptacle, and the convenient nearby access to pay showers and a general store provide essential comforts. Most importantly, its location next to Big Silver Creek with a swimming hole, and a short bike ride from Union Valley Reservoir, offers abundant recreational activities like fishing, swimming, and biking on dedicated trails. Despite some daytime road noise, the evenings are tranquil, allowing for classic campfire bonding. For local Californians seeking a spacious, activity-rich, and distinctly group-friendly camping experience in the heart of the Eldorado National Forest, Big Silver Group Campground is an excellent choice, promising memorable moments under the clear mountain skies.

Big Silver Group Campground

Kyburz, CA 95720, USA