Trail Overview
Branching north off Bowman Lake Road (FS 18), Black Camp (FS 18-019) is a scenic, single-track gravel spur that climbs gently toward several backcountry trailheads. The route winds through an airy, high-elevation woodland of Jeffrey pine, lodgepole, and red fir managed by the Tahoe National Forest. Featuring a firm base of native earth overlaid with coarse decomposed granite and weathered gravel, this out-and-back trail carries a modest difficulty rating of 2. A short distance along the route, the corridor opens into an expansive meadow clearing capable of accommodating dispersed camping for ten or more vehicles. Past this clearing, the roadbed grows increasingly bumpy with consistent surface rocks before concluding at an informational kiosk and a closed Forest Service gate with dedicated parking for roughly five vehicles. Outdoor enthusiasts frequently travel this short spur to establish quiet base camps, stage day hikes into the nearby alpine lake basins, and access seasonal hunting and backpacking routes.
Difficulty
Rated a 2, this spur is approachable but demands a measured pace and attentive tire placement due to uneven, rocky ground. While the lower section consists of relatively smooth, hard-packed dirt, the upper half introduces consistent embedded stones, loose cobblestones, and shallow cross-undulations that make for a bumpy drive. Maintain a controlled, slow speed and steer across the flattest contours to protect low-hanging undercarriage parts from protruding rock edges. Forward motorized access terminates at a locked steel gate, where a wide, flat dirt apron provides plenty of space to turn around comfortably
