Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-233104
When Van Vleck Bunkhouse reopens
Van Vleck Bunkhouse's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
0
Openings · last 90 days
3
Only 3 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Jan 1 – May 3, 2027 · of 1 monitored site
Of the 123 tracked site-nights (Jan 1 – May 3, 2027): 62 open for online reservation · 38 reserved · 20 closed · 3 unavailable (cause unspecified).
Where the open windows are
49.6% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 62 of 123 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Jan 1 – May 3, 2027Not open online49.6%
Open site-nights62 / 123
Reserved (of online inventory)38 / 100
Weekday openings49
Weekend openings13
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 49 fall on weekdays and 13 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Jan 2027 – May 2027May shows no online availability. 0 of 3 tracked site-nights are open there — 3 unavailable.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 1 site| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year | FRI Jan 1 | 0 | None open |
| Memorial Day | FRI May 28 | 0 | None open |
| SAT May 29 | 0 | None open | |
| SUN May 30 | 0 | None open | |
| MON May 31 | 0 | None open |
New Year: no online availability on Friday. Memorial Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
Availability
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 001 | 62 |
This site currently has 62 site-nights available.
Tracked window
CoverageCampsite Sniper's data for this facility starts Jan 1, 2027. That is about 60 days after the current snapshot was taken, so dates before Jan 1, 2027 are not covered by what Campsite Sniper tracks here — they are not known to be unavailable. The site-nights shown on this page describe Jan 1, 2027 onwards only. Check Recreation.gov for earlier dates.
Stays and site detail
62 open site-nights across 1 site at Van Vleck Bunkhouse, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 14 2-night, 13 3-night, 1 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Jan 2, 2027 at site 001.
All 1 site with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Not recorded | None | 62 | 7 nights | Jan 2, 2027, Jan 3, 2027, Jan 4, 2027, Jan 5, 2027, Jan 6, 2027, Jan 7, 2027, Jan 8, 2027, Jan 10, 2027, Jan 11, 2027, Jan 12, 2027, Jan 13, 2027, Jan 14, 2027 +50 more |
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 campfire ring. The parking area accommodates up to six vehicles. The main living area includes a kitchen, a table with chairs, a gas log stove, a sleeper sofa and a bunk bed. The bedroom has another bunk bed and a queen-size bed. The heater and cook stove operate on propane. During the summer season, the bunkhouse is supplied with well water. Hot and cold running water is available in the kitchen, bathroom sinks, and the shower. Please conserve water as the supply is limited and can run out during dry periods. Due to freezing temperatures, the water system is shut down during the winter. If available, melt and boil snow for water during winter months, or bring water with you. There is no electricity. Other items to bring year-round include food,utensils,pots,pans, bedding, toilet paper, paper towels,flashlights, headlamps,matches, a first aid kit and all other basic camping gear. Click here for more cabin details.
Natural Features
Van Vleck sits halfway up a small peak of the Sierra Nevada, about a half-mile from Cheese Camp Creek, at an elevation of 6,000 feet. The front deck overlooks a meadow and offers a view of the Crystal Range.
If skiing or snowshoeing to the bunkhouse, guests will pass over a bridge on the South Fork of the Rubicon River, and past a small aspen grove and Milkhouse Meadow.
Nearby Attractions
The nearest general store is at Ice House Reservoir, a 30-minute drive away. In winter this is closed, so the nearest store is in Pollock Pines, a 1.5-hour drive away.
Tells Creek Primitive Equestrian Campground is located near the bunkhouse.
1 monitored siteNo hookupsMax party 6
Getting there
From Placerville, drive 21 miles on Highway 50, then turn left on Ice House Riverton Road. Go 23 miles north and turn right on Tells Creek Road. Then drive 5 miles east and turn left on the gated, dirt/gravel road to the bunkhouse, which is 0.5-miles ahead on the left side. Winter access is from the Loon Lake parking area. From Highway 50, go 28 miles north on Icehouse Road and take the right fork to Loon Lake. Go 5 miles to the plowed parking area at the entrance to the campground road. A permit and gate combination is required and should be arranged prior to arrival with the Pacific Ranger Station at (530) 644-2349.
Eldorado National Forest Placerville Ranger District, Camino, CA 95709530-644-2324
CampingFishingHikingHorseback RidingWinter Sports
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-233104 · facility
Photo gallery
Roll CS-233104 · Van Vleck Bunkhouse · Camino CA8 frames · facility
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Van Vleck Bunkhouse?
Reservations for Van Vleck Bunkhouse are made through Recreation.gov. 62 of 123 tracked site-nights are currently open (50.4%). Campsite Sniper has also detected 3 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Nov 2, 2026 18:20 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Van Vleck Bunkhouse?
Campsite Sniper detected 3 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Van Vleck Bunkhouse?
13 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Jan 2, 2027 at site 001. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which month has the most availability at Van Vleck Bunkhouse?
March 2027, with 23 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 31.
When is the next open date at Van Vleck Bunkhouse?
Campsite Sniper cannot answer that from the current snapshot. The availability data held for Van Vleck Bunkhouse begins Jan 1, 2027 — about 60 days after this snapshot was taken, so any earlier dates are outside what Campsite Sniper is tracking here rather than known to be unavailable. Check Recreation.gov for dates before Jan 1, 2027.
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