Markleeville Camping
Markleeville's most popular camping areas are at nearby Grover Hot Springs State Park. Campers will also find a nice campground set on the bank of Markleeville Creek. Visitors like to relax in the hot springs at the state park. They also enjoy hiking, fishing, and visiting the many quaint shops in Markleeville.
Grover Hot Springs State Park suffered considerable damage to its infrastructure in the 2021 Tamarack Fire. Fortunately, by 2022 many areas of the park reopened for visitor use, including for day use and limited camping. The hot springs pools reopened in 2023. Check current conditions at Grover Hot Springs State Park.
Markleeville, California
Grover Hot Springs State Park
Notice: Due to recent wildfires, some parts of Grover Hot Springs State Park may be closed. Check their website for updates: Grover Hot Springs SP
Grover Hot Springs State Park has two campground loops, Quaking Aspen and Toiyabe. The park's main attraction are its natural hot springs pools with water temperatures around 103 degrees. Pool hours vary by season. The park is also a great place for hiking, fishing, and mountain biking.
The campground is usually open from Memorial Day weekend until early October, weather permitting. In the winter the day-use parking lot is open for first-come, first-served camping. Flush Toilets and sinks are available in the winter campground. Showers are not available in the winter camp area but are available at the pool for pool users.
Directions: From Markleeville drive west 3.5 miles on Hot Springs Road to the entrance to the park.
Day-use Entrance Fee: $8
Pool Fees: Adults $10, Children $5
Camping Fee: $35 per night (winter camping $25)
Reservations: (800) 444-7275 or ReserveCalifornia - Grover Hot Springs State Park
Park Office (530) 694-2248 Pool Phone (530) 694-2249
Grover Hot Springs State Park Campground Amenities
- 76 campsites for both tents and RVs up to 27 feet (24 feet for trailers)
- Piped water, flush toilets, showers
- Picnic tables, cupboards, bear boxes, fire rings
History Note:
Recent archaeological work in the vicinity of the Hot Springs indicates that people were living in the area as long as 4000 years ago. In the winter of 1844 John C. Fremont led his expedition through the valley on their way over the Sierra in the near Carson Pass. The springs were later owned by John Hawkins, and then in 1878 Alvin M. Grover. Believing the mineral waters had curative powers, many early settlers in California visited the hot springs.
Markleeville Campground
Markleeville Campground rests on the banks of Markleeville Creek, just upstream from its confluence with the East Carson River. The campground is only a half mile downstream from the small town of Markleeville. The campground is favored by anglers who like to fish the local creeks.
Directions: From Markleeville drive .5 miles southeast to the turnoff to the campground.
Fees: $18 per night
Reservations: None
Markleeville Campground Amenities
- 10 campsites for tents or trailers up to 24 feet
- Piped water, vault toilets
- Picnic tables, fire rings
History Note:
The land around Markleeville was first claimed in 1861 by Jacob Marklee who built a toll bridge across a tributary of the Carson River. For a time with the silver boom at nearby Silver Mountain, Marklee did well, but in 1863 he was killed in a gunfight. When Silver Mountain City was virtually abandoned after the mines played out, Markleeville took over as the county seat.
