From Website: Temporary Closure Notice: Dam Safety Project to Temporarily Close Basalt Campground and Day Use Area at San Luis Reservoir SRA: California State Parks announced the extended temporary closure of the Basalt Campground and Day Use Area at San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area due to a Safety of Dams Project. The closure is expected to begin as early as February 2022 and may last 10 years. Reservation holders will be contacted directly by State Parks’ reservation system -- ReserveCalifornia.com. Alternative campgrounds and day use locations will remain open in the park complex during the temporary closure.

After the fires in Northern California prevented us from camping in El Dorado County, we made a quick decision to go south a bit to San Luis Reservoir. Basalt Campground was practically empty for the entire weekend we were there. The campsites are spaced apart generously and the sites are huge. Each site has running water to wash dishes and/or hands and feet. The restrooms were very clean and well stocked and the showers were great. I would definitely return here for another getaway!

First, the cons. When I checked in, the ranger at the booth was a bit snippy. I had a reservation and showed it to her on my phone. Apparently my card had not been charged. There were plenty of sites still available, so I told her I would take any of them for two nights. She asked if I had a preference--shade, level, what? I said since I was solar powered, I'd like sun and as level as possible. She looked at her list and found a site. I went to it and it was so off level I didn't have enough blocks to make my van level enough to run the propane fridge. It was under trees, and although lovely, would not have allowed me to charge my solar unit. So I went back (the park was nearly empty) and politely apologized and asked if there was any way possible to switch to another site. I explained that the site was not level and was shaded. She got a little snippy and defensive telling me she can only go by the notes on her list. I told her I was not blaming her. I had checked out other sites and found several that were sunny and more level (notthing in this park is level. Most not even close) and asked if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could I please switch. She made the switch and seemed to be a little calmer. The campground is sort of nice. The most level and sunny spot was by the bathroom. I made that mistake before and won't make it again. Constant people "taking the shortcut" through my campsite to the bathroom. It was a Saturday night and there were several larger groups. They were talking loudly and laughing...nothing outrageous, but you know how sound travels in nature. They did all quiet down by 10:00. I originally booked this because I thought it was by the reservoir. It is not. Not visible. Not within walking distance. So if you want to be by water, this is not the place. As I said above, nothing is level. Bring lots of leveling blocks. The sites are asphalt and most are EXTREMELY narrow. They could use some upkeep. (Maybe instead of paying thousands of dollars for a bogus recall election, CA could spend some money on their parks? Just a suggestion.) The park is a bit run down, but the trees and bushes are lovely, and it felt very safe and comfortable. Oh. And they didn't give me my senior discount. My bad for not asking if there were any discounts available. Their bad because I'm clearly not 21 and the ranger seemed to be very impatient/annoyed. I don't think she likes her job.

It’s open! We are only one of three campsites occupied. There is a camp host. We rolled in and asked for a site. Maybe just opening after COVID shut-down? Nice stop over for the night. 2 bars of ATT and peaceful. Bathrooms in great shape. Showers are $.50 for 2 minutes or $1.25 for 5 minutes. We scouted out nearby Madeira Campground first which is $20 to dry camp but chose here because it’s nicer. Our site had views of the distant water and rolling hills. Quite peaceful.

Great campground to come to off-season before it gets too hot and too buggy. Campground was not crowded, spacious, beautiful surroundings and many elk. Flush toilets and pay showers.

This is the second time we used a Basalt site as an overnight stop while traveling north from SoCal. This time is was the kicking off location for several planned sites, mostly California parks, from Santa Cruz north to Salt Point. Basalt Campground is easily accessed from I5. At least during our two visits, there were sites available for dropping in at the last minute. No hookups but we typically don't look for them.