Pardoes Point Campground: Your Lake Access Destination in Pioneer, CA

Pardoes Point Campground Introduce

Are you a Californian looking for the ideal lakeside camping experience, where stunning views, easy water access, and a family-friendly atmosphere converge? Pardoes Point Campground, nestled along Bear River Rd in Pioneer, CA, presents itself as a premier destination for those seeking memorable outdoor adventures. Known for being "the best lake accessible camping on the lake," this campground offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in California's natural beauty, whether you're a solo adventurer, a couple, or planning a large family gathering.

Pardoes Point Campground isn't just a place to pitch a tent; it's a gateway to refreshing lake activities and serene natural surroundings. Imagine waking up to the gentle sounds of the water, with the fresh mountain air invigorating your senses. The campground is praised for its "beautifully maintained" grounds, indicating a commitment to providing a pleasant and tidy environment for all visitors. This attention to detail enhances the overall camping experience, ensuring that your focus remains on relaxation and recreation rather than on upkeep issues.

While the campground is well-suited for larger groups, with many sites accommodating multiple tents, it also offers a vibrant community feel. This can be a wonderful aspect for families and friends who enjoy the camaraderie of fellow campers. It's a place where shared experiences are common, from children playing to groups gathering around picnic tables. However, it's worth noting that the popularity of the campground, especially for groups, can sometimes lead to close neighbors, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect for quiet hours and personal space.

For Californians, finding a campground that combines convenient lake access with well-kept facilities is a significant plus. Pardoes Point provides exactly this, making it a highly desirable location for those who love boating, fishing, swimming, or simply relaxing by the water. Despite recent rate increases, the value offered by its prime location and amenities continues to make it a worthwhile investment for an unforgettable outdoor escape. This campground truly embodies the spirit of California's outdoor lifestyle, offering both adventure and tranquility by the water's edge.

Pardoes Point Campground is located on Bear River Rd, Pioneer, CA 95666, USA. This address places it squarely within California's beautiful Sierra Nevada foothills, a region renowned for its natural splendor and recreational opportunities. The campground's key geographical advantage is its direct "lake accessible" position, making it a highly sought-after destination for water enthusiasts.

For Californians, accessibility to Pardoes Point is straightforward, involving travel to the Pioneer area. Once in the vicinity, Bear River Rd leads directly to the campground. The clear and concise address ensures that navigation is relatively simple, allowing visitors to quickly transition from their journey to enjoying the lakeside environment. This ease of access is crucial for weekend trips or longer vacations for families and individuals traveling from various parts of the state.

The location on Bear River Rd means the campground is nestled within a scenic landscape, offering more than just lake access. The surrounding area is part of California's rich natural heritage, providing opportunities for hiking, exploring the local flora and fauna, and simply enjoying the fresh mountain air. While the campground is popular, its setting ensures that campers still feel immersed in nature. The nearby town of Pioneer, though small, likely offers basic services, making the overall experience convenient. The combination of direct lake access, a beautiful setting, and relatively easy navigation makes Pardoes Point an excellent choice for Californians seeking a rewarding outdoor escape that is both accessible and deeply connected to nature's tranquility and adventure.

Services Offered:

Campsites: Provides numerous camping sites, including those suitable for large families or groups with multiple tents.
Lake Access: Offers direct and excellent access to the adjacent lake for various water activities.
Boat Launch: Features a nice boat launch facility, catering to campers with boats.
Decent Bathrooms: Provides well-maintained restroom facilities for campers' convenience.
Picnic Tables: Available in the day-use area and likely at individual campsites for outdoor dining.
Barbeques: Grilling facilities are provided in the day-use area, perfect for cooking meals outdoors.
Day Use Area: A dedicated area for visitors not staying overnight, with a $5 fee per vehicle.
Payment Options: Accepts both card and check payments for camping fees.
Seasonal Creek: A seasonal creek runs behind some campsites, offering an additional natural feature, typically until about August.
On-site Presence (implied): While not explicitly stated as a host, the "beautifully maintained" aspect and the nature of a well-run campground suggest some level of on-site management or oversight.

Features / Highlights:

Excellent Lake Accessibility: Renowned as "the best lake accessible camping on the lake," offering unparalleled access for swimming, fishing, and water sports.
Convenient Boat Launch: A "nice boat launch" is a significant feature for boat owners, simplifying water entry and exit.
Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Appears well-suited for large families and groups, with many sites accommodating multiple tents, fostering a communal camping experience.
Beautifully Maintained Grounds: The campground is noted for being "beautifully maintained," ensuring a pleasant and clean environment for campers.
Scenic Seasonal Creek: The presence of a seasonal creek behind campsites (until August) adds to the natural charm and provides a unique feature.
Decent and Clean Bathrooms: Feedback highlights the quality of the restroom facilities, contributing to a more comfortable stay.
Affordable Day Use: A reasonable $5 fee for day use allows non-campers to enjoy the lake access and amenities.
Flexible Payment Options: The ability to pay by card or check offers convenience for campers.
Opportunity for Close-Knit Camping: The "jam packed with tents" description suggests a lively, community-oriented feel, though also implies close neighbors.
Abundant Picnic and BBQ Facilities: Well-equipped day-use areas cater to outdoor gatherings and meals.

Contact Information:

Address: Bear River Rd, Pioneer, CA 95666, USA

Phone: (530) 622-5061

Mobile Phone: +1 530-622-5061

Pardoes Point Campground is an ideal destination for Californians seeking a quintessential lakeside camping experience. For locals, its prime location on Bear River Rd in Pioneer provides direct and unparalleled access to the lake, making it a dream spot for boating, fishing, and enjoying various water activities without extensive travel or complicated logistics. The presence of a "nice boat launch" is a significant advantage, simplifying recreational pursuits for boat owners across the state.

The campground’s suitability for large families and groups, with sites designed to accommodate multiple tents, makes it perfect for local gatherings and multi-family adventures. Californians appreciate well-maintained facilities, and the "decent bathrooms" and "beautifully maintained campground" contribute significantly to a comfortable stay. While the popularity might lead to "close neighbors" and occasional noise, this is often a trade-off for such a highly desirable and accessible lakeside location. The option to pay by card or check adds to the convenience for locals planning their trip.

Ultimately, Pardoes Point Campground is perfect for Californians who prioritize direct lake access, a family-friendly atmosphere, and well-kept grounds for their outdoor adventures. It offers a chance to create cherished memories by the water, whether it's a quick day trip or an extended camping vacation, cementing its status as a top choice for lakeside recreation in the state.

Pardoes Point Campground Photos

Pardoes Point Campground Location

Pardoes Point Campground

California Amador County Pioneer Bear River Road

Bear River Rd, Pioneer, CA 95666, USA

Pardoes Point Campground Reviews

Great camping spot went solo but seems more like a large family spot most of the sites even the singles are jam packed with tents making for some close neighbors at certain sites. The rates recently increased but not by much you can pay card or check. Overall the best lake accessible camping on the lake. Decent bathrooms, nice boat launch, but limited parking for day use so arrive early. It would be a 5/5 in my book but each visit I get disturbed by a close neighbor. Last year it was a guy running his gas generator for 8 hours a day this year was some people cutting wood during the quite time hours and then blasting a radio during the day, can’t do much about that though just hope people are neighborly for your time.
Jun 23, 2025 · Anthony Castelo
Beautifully maintained campground with lake access. Seasonal creek runs behind campsites until about August. Picnic tables and barbeques in day use area. $5 fee per vehicle for day use. Well worth it.
Oct 10, 2017 · GabbyAnn Hopkins
The place was great, until you wanted to cook food. Then every yellow jacket in California was swarming you. I got stung, your going to get stung. Bring a screened in gazebo and you should be ok.
Sep 11, 2018 · Rachel Malone
The park is clean and well maintained, but the meat bee's are the worst. All throughout the morning while you are trying to cook they are all around you swarming your every move. A screened in pop up would easily fix that, but you would also need one over your eating area. We go every year to celebrate 3 August birthday babies and was most excited about returning this year because the water was up and there was more to float on. We come during the weekday and end the trip on the weekend because that is the most peaceful time. Most campers are settling in Friday night so that is when it tends to get busy here. The down side is there are only 10 camp sites and you can not reserve ahead of time. So that is another reason why we head out there during the week. Most families with kids only camp the weekend so your more like to get the campsite you want during the week. Make sure you bring water to wash hands and dishes there is no running water for that. This is real camping! Across the River though is a resort you can use to take showers. Just bring a roll of quarters. This camping trip though was cut short for us this year because of the bee's. I was stung by a yellow jacket and found out the hard way that I am deathly allergic to them and ended up in the ER. The staff took care if us though for not being able to finish the rest of our camping trip. If the bees could be more contained we'd definitely be back till then farewell Pardoe Point.
Aug 30, 2016 · Nena Carmichael
This place is a hidden gem! Small campground, first come first serve, no reservations. Only 3 sites large enough for an RV trailer. Most other sites were tent or truck camper size. But the best is the excellent access to the reservoir and no crowds. Has a boat launch area as well.
Jul 27, 2020 · Doug Green