Private Events and Group Rentals

The Lair of the Golden Bear provides a beautifully forested and private venue for your special event in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Our fall wedding packages include full access to two indoor and outdoor event spaces, fifteen cozy heated cabins, sports courts, complete meal service, and no corkage fee!

Nestled among the evergreen pines of the Stanislaus National Forest, the Lair of the Golden Bear offers a perfect combination of natural beauty and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Located at 5,600 feet in Pinecrest, CA, the Lair is just three hours from the San Francisco Bay Area. The surrounding natural beauty will provide you and your guests with an amazing mountain playground for your wedding or special event. Would you like to talk? Please call us at 510.900.8255 or email us at lair@alumni.berkeley.edu.

The Venue

Fall event packages include use of the Camp Gold Lodge and the Vista Lodge; both offer indoor and outdoor spaces. The Camp Gold Lodge is ideal for large gatherings, meals, and receptions. The Vista Lodge, named for its picturesque surroundings and view, is perfectly situated for rehearsal dinners and wedding ceremonies. These indoor / outdoor locations each have a maximum capacity of 150 people.

A bride and groom sharing a dance with onlookers in the lodge at the Lair

Accommodations

Our 15 cozy winterized cabins sleep six people, allowing us to host up to 90 overnight guests. Each cabin has a comfy queen bed, a bunk (with two twins), and a loft with additional sleeping space for two. The cabins have private bathrooms; include towels and linens; and are equipped with coffee makers, microwaves, and mini fridges. Several of the cabins are situated around shared firepits, perfect for post-event relaxing and s’mores! Two of our cabins are ADA compliant with adjacent parking.

Two wooden cabins with a fire pit and lounge chairs

Cozy Year-Round Cabins / A. Lang

Dining

Event packages include up to three meals per day for up to 150 guests. During the planning phase, you will work directly with our event manager and executive chef to design your event menus. See Pricing & Availability for information about cost. We do not charge corkage fees.

Pricing & Availability

We are currently accepting reservations for two-night private events for September 2025 through December 2025. Fall wedding packages include full indoor / outdoor access to the Camp Gold Lodge and the Vista Lodge, plus use of our 15 winterized cabins, for a flat fee of $20,000. The additional cost for meals is dependent upon the number of people who will be dining. This will generally range from $190-250 per person.

The Camp Blue lodge with large LOVE lettering outside

Make Beautiful Memories at the Lair

a wedding dress hanging from the front of a tent

several bridesmaids holding flowers and looking out from inside a tent cabin at the Lair of the Bear

A bride walking alone through the forest

chairs set up in preparation for an outdoor wedding ceremony under trees

A couple getting married in a forest setting

Many people seated for an outdoor wedding ceremony

A bride and groom walking together outside

Mikey and Stephen pose on the steps of a cabin on their wedding day.

Many people in the distance at a reception during dusk hours.

Dining hall full of round tables preset for wedding reception

Tables set up for an outdoor event on the Gold Lodge Deck

a close up of a centerpiece and place setting for a wedding at the Lair

Mikey and Stephen sit on a golf cart on their wedding day, sporting matching Cal socks.

A just married couple kissing while standing next to a large tree

Groom's accessories set out on a tree stump

Several desserts set out at the Burger Shack

Close up of a wedding cake decorated with mountains

A wedding couple's head table at the Lair

Outdoor wedding location where a couple would exchange vows

Bride and Groom with guests seated and dining in the Gold Lodge

Mikey Day and his new husband walking up the aisle.

Wedding FAQs

Please refer to the Lair FAQ page for general information regarding the three camps: Blue, Gold, and Oski.

What is the cost for a Lair wedding?

We will provide a complete quote once we gather details about your party size, preferred date, selected camp, and any special requests. Please note that the rates for individual guests will cover most costs related to meals and lodging throughout the wedding weekend. You will receive a registration link to share with your guests.

For fall weddings (2 nights), our packages include full access to the Camp Gold Lodge and Vista Lodge, outdoor spaces, sports courts, and our 15 year-round winterized cabins for a flat fee of $20,000. The additional cost for meal service throughout the weekend depends on the number of guests dining and generally ranges from $190 to $250 per person. Guest fees cover most of these costs, and you will be responsible for any remaining balance.

Pricing for summer weddings (which typically last 2-3 nights) may vary depending on the facilities or venues used, including our summer tent cabins, pools, and equipment. Additionally, during the summer, we can offer extra services, such as bar service and staff-led programming, along with additional event staff as needed.

For more information, please email us at lair@lumni.berkeley.edu with your estimated guest count and preferred dates.

What does the payment timeline look like?

· Holding fee collected to give you “first right of refusal” on desired date and camp.
· Deposit collected at the official contract signing.
· Guest fees are collected through our Event Registration Link.
· Remaining balance collected 30 days prior to event start date.
· Minimum staff tip collected at check out.

Where do I start with planning my Lair wedding?

To get organized and collaborate effectively with our team, start by creating a shareable Google Sheet. This will help us outline a timeline and schedule of events.

Collaborate with the Food Service team to finalize the menu, and create a detailed list of drink services. This list should include the drinks being served, their locations, and the timing for each service.

Finally, be sure to reserve any necessary rentals and outside vendors as soon as possible. We highly recommend hiring supplemental wedding coordinator services and would be happy to provide recommendations.

What do I bring?

As hosts, the couple getting married may want to bring the following items: decorations, string or garden lights, floodlights, extension cords, multiple music playlists (either stored on an iPhone or accessible through a shareable online playlist), adult beverages, non-alcoholic options, and camp-specific wedding favors, such as toiletries or gifts. For any additional wedding-related items, it’s advisable to contact a professional wedding coordinator listed on our Preferred Vendor List.

For fall events, guests should dress in layers and bring a flashlight. Overnight guests will be accommodated in our winterized cabins, which are included in our fall wedding packages and come with towels and linens.

For summer events, guests will stay in our summer tent cabins. Please refer to our detailed "What to Bring" list to see what everyone needs to pack, what items might be helpful, and what should not be brought. Remember to remind your guests to bring warm clothing, a sleeping bag, a pillow, a towel, and a flashlight!

What are the accommodations like?

Fall Wedding Packages
Our fifteen heated cabins are included in our fall wedding packages. Each cabin sleeps up to six guests with a queen bed, bunk bed, and two single beds in the loft. Cabins have their own private bathroom, towels and linens, coffee maker, mini-fridge, and more.

Summer Weddings
Dusty and rustic, just how we like it! Tent cabins, communal bathrooms, dining hall, lodge, sports courts, games and athletic equipment, heated pool, stage and campfire pit, creekside amphitheater, and so much more! Yes, we have electricity and hot running water throughout camp. Please see our Accommodations Page for more info.

Is there cell service or wifi?

We hope you can completely unplug when visiting the Lair, but we offer limited services just in case. Verizon Wireless gets service in some areas of camp; other providers do not. We do have free, limited wifi, so you can be in touch when you need to. And we have pay phones in all three camps.

What is the Lair staff like and what services do they provide?

Our staffing team is an outstanding mix of college-aged students, mostly rooted in the UC system. Without question, the staff is the heart and soul of camp life, providing boundless energy, warmth, and enthusiasm every moment of your stay. In addition to leading all of the camp programming, staffers are positive role models for your children, and their top priority is delivering a fantastic vacation experience. With a versatile skill set, our staffers provide excellent support during special events.

The Lair will provide an appropriate number of staff members to assist during all portions of the wedding weekend. Such assistance could include, but is not limited to: labor, food service at meals; preparation of all food; wine, beer and alcohol service (alcohol provided by wedding party); setup and clean-up of the wedding ceremony and reception; setup and clean-up of the campfire; audio and lighting aid; youth supervision (ages 2 and older) during the wedding ceremony and reception; check-in services (including “greeting” all guests arriving at the Lair for the wedding weekend).

What food and alcohol options are available?

We offer extensive menu options and exclusive access to our executive chef, David Weigel, to help plan your ideal wedding weekend menu. Please refer to our Wedding Sample Menu for ideas!

We do not sell alcohol at the Lair, but we do allow you to bring your own. We do not charge corkage fees. We can schedule Lair staffers to serve alcohol at various times during your wedding weekend.

What is the weather like at the Lair?

Weather in the mountains is unpredictable. In the fall, clear, cool days and cold nighttime temperatures are common. In the summer, we typically experience comfortable warm days and chilly nights! As your event approaches, we recommend keeping an eye on the weather.

Are pets allowed at camp?

Sorry, no pets are allowed.

What services are not provided by the Lair?

· Cabin/tent assignments. The wedding party will determine tent assignments.
· Tables and chairs, except for those already available inside the lodges. The Lair does not provide additional tables and chairs for the wedding ceremony or other events during wedding weekend.
· Place settings, flatware, linens, wine glasses, cocktail glasses, cups, or decorations for the wedding reception (The wedding party is free to use cutlery, dishes, serving-ware and flatware which are provided by the Lair during the summer).
· DJ or band services.
· Photography services.
· Floral service.
· Wedding planner

Are there safety and security protocols at camp?

We are in the mountains! You will be exposed to the elements, elevation, forest, and wildlife. With that said, the Lair is a very safe place for people of all ages! During the summer months, we have an EMT onsite 24 hours, nightwatch patrol providing security in camp, certified lifeguards at the pool, emergency call boxes in camp, and Emergency Action Plans attached to every tent cabin. With normal precautions and common sense, you will have a very fun and safe weekend!

· No open flame of any kind!
· Park vehicles facing out.
· Secure all valuables out of sight, better yet leave them at home.
· Use a flashlight at night.
· Stay hydrated during the day and keep warm at night.
· Never hike or swim alone.
· Report any emergency to the Event or Camp Manager.

What is the wildlife like at the Lair?

Bears, mountain lions, and rattlesnakes, OH MY! These animals have not been an issue at the Lair, but they do exist in the Stanislaus National Forest. There are bear boxes in camp to store food in; please use these, as squirrels will get into anything left out. Bees, mosquitos, and mice may also be present in camp, so take normal precautions and don’t leave food out.

Private Group Rentals

The Lair of the Bear is perfectly suited for retreats, workshops and conferences, birthdays, family reunions, and more.

We work with you to tailor your time at camp to fit the goals for your event. During summer months, our staff can lead hikes, team building games, and sports tournaments or let your group relax by the pool, hit the courts, or adventure out on their own. Our indoor/outdoor venues are ideal for presentations, smaller group break-out meetings, and receptions.

Please contact us if you are interested in discussing your next event with us! Call 510-900-8255 or email us at lair@alumni.berkeley.edu.

What retreat guests have to say about the Lair

“The least stuffy, least boring, most relaxing retreat I’ve been to.”
“Venue was superlative—just rustic enough to feel like we were really connecting with nature, but civilized enough to avoid any of the hassles presented with true camping.”
“It was great to be able to have so many activities and ways to soak up the beautiful setting. Loved kayaking, tie dye, swimming the lake.”
“The venue contributed greatly to connecting with colleagues.... I felt like I was in summer camp!”