There are local ranger district offices in Camino, Georgetown, Pioneer, and Pollock Pines.

The mountainous topography is broken by the steep canyons of the Mokelumne, Cosumnes, American, and Rubicon rivers.

A cool montane version of Mediterranean climate extends over most of the forest, with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.

A wide variety of hardwoods, conifers, shrubs, native grasses, and forbs are represented in the various Eldorado National Forest ecosystems.

The principal plant communities found here are: Old-growth forests totaling 122,000 acres (49,000 ha) have been identified in the Eldorado National Forest, consisting of:[3] The major commercial forest species are white fir, red fir, ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, sugar pine, Douglas fir, and incense cedar.