Van Vleck Bunkhouse
Van Vleck Bunkhouse is a national forest campground in California. Hookups: no hookups.
- Type
- National forest campground
- Location
- California
- Coordinates
- 38.92917, -120.32500
- Hookups
- No hookups
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Winter Sports
- Map
- Open in OpenStreetMap
- Phone
- 530-644-2324
Amenities
- Reservable sites
Only amenities a source confirms are listed; an amenity missing here is unknown, not absent.
About Van Vleck Bunkhouse
Overview Winter guests take on a more challenging adventure and must traverse an approx. 6-mile trek with a 1,300-foot elevation gain to reach the bunkhouse. The route is marked by blue reflective diamonds and this journey is for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers only. Winter vehicle access from Jan. 1 through May 15 is restricted by snow. Winter user access is from the Loon Lake Campground vehicle pull out. Summer guests can access the bunkhouse by road and enjoy the simple pleasure of the cabin and nearby hiking and horseback riding. Vehicle access is restricted to the Bunkhouse parking area. Van Vleck Bunkhouse overlooks a 40-acre meadow and the Tells Peak portion of the Crystal Range of the Sierra Nevada, providing a rustic camping experience year-round. Built in 1957, the bunkhouse is the last remaining building at the Van Vleck Ranch site. The area was operated as a cattle ranch from the 1860s to the 1960s. Recreation Popular summer activities include mountain biking, hiking, backpacking in Desolation Wilderness, stream fishing in Cheese Camp Creek, horseback riding, and bird watching. The Tells Creek Primitive Equestrian Trail leads into Desolation Wilderness. In winter, cross country skiing or snowshoeing is required to reach the bunkhouse, so these are the featured activities of the trip. Facilities The bunkhouse has a 10x10' deck, two rooms and an indoor bathroom with a flush toilet, shower and sink. Outside is a vault toilet, picnic table, and cam
Cell coverage
No coverage data for this location yet.
Nearby RV services
- Dump station
- French Meadows · 14 mi
- Water fill
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Propane
- Shell · 18 mi
- Low clearances
- None mapped within 10 mi
- Off-road routes
- 324 designated routes (363 mi) within 10 mi
Other places to stay nearby
| Name | Type | Distance | Fee | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tells Creek Equestrian Camp | Private campground | 0.1 mi | — | — |
| Tells Equestrian Cg | National forest campground | 0.1 mi | — | — |
| Loon Lake Equestrian Group | National forest group campground | 3.5 mi | — | — |
| Loon Lake Chalet | National forest campground | 3.5 mi | — | Water |
| Loon Lake Group Campgrounds | National forest campground | 3.6 mi | — | — |
| Loon Lake Campground | Private campground | 3.6 mi | — | — |
Open Van Vleck Bunkhouse in DryRig
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Sources. Recreation.gov (RIDB). Updated June 2026. Facility facts only; DryRig does not publish ratings or reviews on this page.