Vermillion Campground

We stayed here for a week in July 2012, and thought it was lovely. Yes, the drive up there on the Kaiser Pass Road is not exactly your typical California freeway experience, but given that you are going to a point whose remoteness would normally only be reached by backpackers, it’s a small price to pay — and also, the scenery is gorgeous! Try not to bring a trailer up here if you can help it — you may have to back up on the road in order to pass a vehicle coming the other way, and if you end up doing so on one of those stretches where one side of the road is the edge of a sheer cliff, well, good luck is all I can say.
Anyway, the campground is beautiful and spacious, and the vault toilets are clean. There are water spigots at regular intervals and when we were there the water did not require boiling or filtering. The dumpsters are secured with bear chains and seem to be emptied regularly. The bear lockers are on the small side, but when we asked the camp host about this, he explained that they were put in for free fairly recently, that the campground used to not even have any, and that unlike the bears around Yosemite, the bears in this area are not «trained’ to look for food in people’s cars (in fact he said a bear has never broken into a car at the Vermilion Campground). So we kept our cooler, which was too tall to fit into the bear locker, in the trunk of our car, and had no problems. When we made our reservation, it did not seem possible to reserve particular sites, but when we got there it did seem, based on the notes posted at a couple of campsites, that some people had somehow been able to reserve particular sites. In general I would say that the higher-​numbered campsites are better, because the lower the number, the closer to the generator that they run at the Vermilion Valley Resort (switched off between 10 pm and 7 am when we were there). From about site number 14 and higher the sound of the generator is very slight; in fact when we were setting up our tent and stuff initially we didn’t notice it at all.
There are no showers at the campground but you can get a shower at the next-​door Resort for six bucks, including soap and clean towel.
When we were there, the lake (technically a reservoir) had been drawn down fairly low, so the views that would have been of lovely blue water were of dry lake bed for the most part. But the sites are dotted among beautiful tall trees, rock outcroppings, and a curved road, so there was still beauty all around us. For anyone considering going up there I would suggest trying to find out about the lake level before going if that is going to be a make-​or-​break factor for you (we talked to a couple people who’d brought boats, and launching them in actual water was a bigger proposition than they’d planned, with water a good half-​mile away). There is a phone number at the Vermilion Valley Resort, so maybe calling there and leaving a message if necessary would be the way to find this out.

(Please note that the listed website is NOT for the public campground I am writing of. Please use the federal
website to access specific and important information.)
My husband, two mutts and I had reservations to stay here on September 3^rd, 2011. Since I am still a novice camper, I was pretty enthused to be camping at a location known to be «The most remote campground and resort accessible by car.» The campground, which is on the banks of Edison Lake, is at an elevation of 7,700 feet.
Getting here, as one might imagine, takes some dedication and steely nerves behind the wheel. To get here, you must drive on Highway 168 East and continue through Prather, Shaver Lake and Huntington Lake. Once you pass Huntington Lake, you will notice that the road narrows to one lane in each direction. (This is your LAST chance for gasoline and diesel– no joke.) After approximately five miles, the road narrows again. This last section of road (not highway) is not for the faint of heart, you will need good reflexes and a sure foot because the roadway is only wide enough for ONE car. (When an another auto approaches, it is a good idea to pull over, if possible. If there is no way for you to move to the «shoulder» (a euphemism, really) the other surely will.) Make sure your radiator is in fine condition, as you will summit Kaiser Pass (9.128 feet!!) on a steep and windy road. There is a reason that the speed limit is 10 MPH, don’t push it– enjoy the stunning scenery. Kaiser Pass Road is intersected by many U.S. Forestry Primary Routes and Routes, so it is a good idea to get turn by turn directions from an internet service, and also pay attention to the signs when present.
Turn left at the dam, check out the camp store at VVR (Vermillion Valley Resort) and perhaps, reward yourself with a t-​shirt or hoodie which proclaims «I survived the road to Edison Lake.» (It has a cute cartoon map on the back.) Also, take this opportunity to get that deodorant or box of tampons your forgot to pack. Drive about 100 yards past VVR and you will see the campground.
I *believe* there are 18 campgrounds. Since we decided to camp during the labor day weekend in the beginning of August. we got the last camp site. Even if you make a reservation, you will not be given a specific site until you arrive and check in. We got camp site #1.
This site was at the entrance of the camp ground, but the location is so remote that we were not bothered by any traffic. We had a view of a sliver of the lake. If one reserves a camp site early enough, however, I see no reason why a site on the lake couldn’t be gotten. The area is so beautiful that we walked our dogs near the lake for a good hour or so. Site #1 offers close proximity (100 yards or so) the camp store, shower ($ 6 a person), and barbecue restaurant. It is also right across the way from a water spigot for camp use. TIP: Boil the water before you drink it, as the protozoa Giardia Lamblia is present here. This is not a life-​threatening infection for most people and usually just results in intestinal and digestive discomfort. For a small percentage of the population, medical treatment may be required.) Site #1 is also a short walk from the restroom (vault style), but not so close that you can smell it. (Perhaps a two minute walk.) Site #7 is the CLOSEST to the bathroom.
Like much of the Sierra National Forest, this IS bear country. There is a bear box/​locker at each camp site– and you must use it for all food and beverages (non-​water), as well as anything that smells like food to a bear. (Lotion, cough drops, baby car seats, dog food, picnic baskets, etc.)
Camp site #1 had plenty of tall, beautiful trees which provided daytime shade. But there was also the option for sunshine. Each camp site has a fire ring and a picnic table. Some have more trees, some less. Some have giant boulders. If tent camping, remember the high elevation can make for chilly nights. There are different options the camper can request while making reservations regarding how far back the camp site is from the road. (Twenty feet back, thirty feet back, and forty feet back.)
There is a camp host who can be very helpful in providing information to campers. He/​She handles all reservations.
We were so smitten with our campsite, as well as the remoteness of Edison Lake, that we asked the camp host if we could extend our stay by one night. We were pleased as punch that there was a vacancy at site #1, as were the pups, who enjoyed woodsy walks and, perhaps, a (prohibited) playtime/​splash time in a remote and shallow portion of the lake. (I don’t condone this, it is against the rules— so don’t get caught and spoil it for the rest of the pups who want to camp here.) If you are camping with your dog, please follow the rules so more pooches can enjoy the privilege of camping with their people. Most importantly, pick up after Fido!