Ice House Camground

Good spot to camp. Right by lake and lots of beach area to swim. Water was pretty nice. It was August and hot, so probably the best time to go in the water there.

Great view it was breath taking! The bike trail was amazing. Peaceful camp ground easy access to water. Kids had a blast in the water and on bike trail which circles the lake.

NOTE:
My review is based solely on the second campground that consists of sites #39−83.
We are a family of five with no dog. Our recreational activities consist of mostly swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling along the water’s edge.
My family have summer camped at Ice House for at least the last five years. The recreation site is a sure winner for us and our three children.
The Campground
Sites are close to each other, but the large boulders strewn about provide adequate privacy and sound buffering to a point. There will always be the loud, partying crowd that always comes alive with fall of the sun and rise of a raging campfire.
One side of the campground offers ‘lake-​front’ property offering gorgeous and spectacular views of the lake and wilderness on the opposite shore. We’ve never been able to secure these sites as they’re usually reserved when we make our own reservations (more below)
The campground’s other side provides more removed sites that will prove much more difficult to haul inflatables or kayaks to the water’s edge.
The site can be extremely hot in the midday sun, so if you have the option of bringing a canopy for you site, it is recommended.
There are some very nice walk-​in sites. Though I have not had the pleasure of camping in them, walk-by’s to the boat dock have revealed to me that these sites afford a convenient lake access that feels like one’s own private, but small beach. A nice option to put in your kayak or inflatables is offered with these small ports.
When we reserved for Ice House, we almost always default to site #48. It is a spacious site and probably the largest in this campground (Again, I can’t speak for the first campground containing sites #1−38). Site #48 is nearly completely shaded with trees and never really gets too hot, but can get windy from the breeze coming off the lake in the afternoon. Our three children have enjoyed running and exploring around site 48. There’s plenty of room to spread out with tents and not feel too close to each other. My standard practice when staying at #48 is to bring several solar-​powered landscaping lights (purchasable for around $ 2 — $ 4 each at home improvement stores).
Be warned, Site #48 is near a readily apparent lake access for other campers. So, it’s not uncommon for people to walk near the site as they’ll want to explore the shore or put in with their own vessels.
The Lake
The lake is narrow, but long in length. Jaunts across the lake’s width in kayaks or on inflatable rafts are short, but can feel like you’ve accomplished a fulfilling journey. Once on the other side, you may even forget there are people inhabiting the shore from which you embarked.
You’ll need to watch out for motorize water vehicles if you do cross the lake. Ice House allows jet skis as well as all manner of boats (you’ll see many fishermen setting off in their boats early in the morning or later in the day for their excursions to catch lake’s aquatic inhabitants)
Exploration of the lake’s length is another matter. The lake is quite long for kayaking. If you kayak with young children, be prepared with with water, some food for energy, and of course sun protection. The opposite side of the lake is wilderness and feels far removed the further you travel along the shore. There is a section along the shore that resembles a quarry. I have jumped off a cliff section of this area for a nice cooling off from kayaking. There is a plateau in this quarry-​like region where evidence of late night campfires have occurred.
And while I’m on evening activity, I’d like to state that I have attempted kayaking with my family at night here in this lake. It’s quite an amazing, but cautionary experience, especially on a moonless night. As well, stargazers will be rewarded on clear, dark nights to hike to the boat dock and take in the visual treasure of heavenly bodies. Recommended!
The water is cold and clear. If you’re familiar with Jenkinson Lake in Pollock Pines, you’ll find Ice House reservoir to be much cooler. If you swim, you may want a wetsuit.
If you enjoy snorkeling, Ice House lake’s water is clear up to a point. Nothing like Tahoe’s water clarity, but you can enjoy watching fish curiously, but cautiously observe you and crayfish scurry about the bottom. I recommend snorkeling near, but not around the lake’s the boat ramp.
As the summer progresses, the water level at the lake decreases, exposing boulders on the campground shore that entice swimmers to swim to, climb, and leap from.
Wildlife
This is bear country. We’ve never had an issue with bears, but apparently there has been incidents of bears taking food from coolers. Oddly, there are no bear lockers at Ice House campground.
Birdwatching is a treasure here. Some summers have offered osprey dipping down to snatch fish from the crisp water
Recommended areas to visit in the area:
Big Hill Helipad
Wright’s Lake
Bassi Waterfall
Union Valley Reservoir
Loon Lake
Junction Reservoir

If you are a scaredy cat and afraid of the boogeyman, this is the campground for you.
After being away I needed to really be «away» if only for a night or two. But I’m not crazy and opted not to go rock climbing with my insane father. I did some asking around and learned of this camp site on the shores of the Ice House Reservoir.
No advanced reservations means «first come first served». Landing a camp site here is like winning the British Lottery (Hello Nigeria!), but if you are patient and look like a lost puppy maybe a nice family will have pity on you as you circle the area on your bike looking a place to rest and give up their tree shaded site.
Ice House Reservoir is beautiful. The soil is literally littered with «fools gold» and it really enhances the waters which by the way are crystal clear. By the way, the Reservoir is fed from the sierras and just as it name implies is «ice» cold.
Even though it’s cold it’s too beautiful to neglect and highly recommend going in for a dip. I am not a fan of a the big speed boats and if you swim too far out you may never be heard from again.
I spent my time here by myself, but the camp sites are fairly close to each other so if you are afraid of the dark you are never too far away from live human beings.