Bowman/Emeralds Camping Beta

Heading up to Tahoe for a weekend in July, climbing at Bowman one day and Emeralds another. There's lots of camping along BL Road (see map), but which would you recommend? Rucker Lake seems closest to the main road, but I haven't gotten a response from PG&E about a reservation. Lindsey Lakes also looks good, but will I be able to get a spot if I arrive at 8pm on a Friday? Also, how long is the hike in to the Carr Lake camping spots?

Note: I don't have the high clearance necessary to get past the downed bridge on Canyon Creek, so Bowman Lake etc are out.

Most just camp at the end of the road at Bowman....lots of undeveloped sites right there.

Unless you need a developed campground (fire ring, toilets, water, etc), just drive past Emeralds towards Bowman. Once you get far enough, explore side roads and look for pullouts you can park in / pitch a tent. Here's one such (large) clearing, though it's right by the main road so you might hear people driving by: https://goo.gl/maps/Gs7HyMYCgor 

This site has good info: http://www.arounddonnersummit.com/lodging/dispersed_camping.html

When doing dispersed camping, make sure you follow all current fire restrictions and bury human waste at least 6 inches deep.

Im headed that way this weekend as well.  How is the access for bowman road ("Most just camp at the end of the road at Bowman") in regards to a low clearance vehicle like a small old sedan

Kevin Crum wrote: Im headed that way this weekend as well.  How is the access for bowman road ("Most just camp at the end of the road at Bowman") in regards to a low clearance vehicle like a small old sedan

The road gets a little tricky right at the very end. There are some good turnouts and sites right before/at the flume, then the road deteriorates a bit going down and around a curve and to the last bit where to the bridge is gone. Definitely only serious 4wd past the bridge.

People have done some work next to do downed bridge and the river bed crossing looks a LOT less gnarly now! Still pretty rough though.

FWIW, we visited the Emeralds last month.
Drove up as far as Rucker Lake Campground.
Lots of pullouts on road, suitable for vans, but not so great for pitching a tent.
All the side roads were gated.
We stayed at Lake Spaulding CG, nice enough but expensive ($22.)
Much easier commute to the Emeralds than Rucker CG and not much costlier.
Night time trains a little loud though.
Didn't get to the Grouse Ridge road- perhaps it has better free tent sites?
We liked the climbing a lot! Would definitely go back if in the area.