Connectivity
No community carrier report is currently published for this campground.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
French Meadows
Tahoe National Forest, California
About this campground
The campground sits on the southern shore of French Meadows Reservoir, in a pine/fir forest.
French Meadows Campground is located along the shores French Meadows Reservoir, about 40 miles from the town of Foresthill.
The campground offers single-family campsites, a few of which are wheel chair accessible.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 39.113889° N
- Longitude
- 120.423889° W
Know before you arrive
Access, sites & campground features
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Access
- Drive-in
- Boat-inCommunity report
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Standard campsites
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- Picnic table
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- Food storage
- Trash serviceVerify whether the assigned site is pack-in/pack-out
- ADA access
- Alcohol allowedCommunity report
- Firewood availableCommunity report
- Pets allowedDogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
- Reservable
For vehicles
- Pull-through sites
- Big rig friendlyPublished vehicle length up to 85 ft
- Back-in sitesCommunity report
- Sanitary dumpCommunity report
Official campground guide
Plan with the full campground details
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
Overview
French Meadows Campground is located along the shores French Meadows Reservoir, about 40 miles from the town of Foresthill. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, boating and trail opportunities. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
Facilities
The campground offers single-family campsites, a few of which are wheel chair accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring and food locker. Flush and vault toilets as well as drinking water are provided. Roads and parking spurs are paved. Several campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Recreation
Popular activities on the reservoir include boating, canoeing, fishing and swimming. A boat ramp is located adjacent to the campground. The North Fork American River can be accessed nearby and provides additional opportunities for fishing and swimming.
A variety of hiking and biking trails are found in the surrounding area, including some that provide access to the nearby Granite Chief Wilderness and The Western States Trail. Just down the road is the Granite Chief Wilderness which provides amazing hiking opportunities for an adventurous party to explore historic aspen trees and secluded mountain passes and trails. The Western States Trail provides great opporunity for hiking, horse back riding, dirt biking, and for adventurous mountain bikers.
Natural Features
The campground sits on the southern shore of French Meadows Reservoir, in a pine/fir forest. Summer days can be hot, but evenings are usually cool.
Nearby Attractions
Not separately publishedRecreation.gov does not publish a separate nearby attractions section for this campground.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Camping
- Boating
- Biking
- Swimming
- Photography
- Paddling
- Canoeing
- Auto Touring
Amenities and facility features
- Vault or pit toilets
- Potable water
- Picnic tables
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
- Wildlife-resistant food storage
- Trash serviceVerify whether the assigned site is pack-in/pack-out
- Drinking Water
- Host
- Trash Collection
- Vault Toilets
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
72 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- Car, Fifth Wheel, RV, Small Tent, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 85 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- 7 flagged accessible
Management
3 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- Car, RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 54 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Site rules, inventory & rates
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Site rules
- Maximum stay
- 15 nights
- Max Stay
- 15
- Reservation cutoff
- 2 days before arrival
- Maximum published occupancy
- 6 people per site
- Maximum published vehicles
- 2 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM
- Food storage
- French Meadows's official facility record states: Each site is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring and food locker.
- Fire and stove use
- French Meadows's official facility record states: Each site is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring and food locker.
- Pets
- Dogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
Inventory window
Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.
- Currently bookable through
- Oct 15, 2026
- Next release
- Nov 21, 2026, 7:00 AM PST
- Next book-through date
- May 21, 2027
- Group sites bookable through
- Sep 30, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonMay 14, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $24 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 21, 2027 – Sep 30, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $24 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 21, 2028 – Sep 30, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $24 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- Water systems are on and water is potable. Water Systems at remote recreation sites can be unreliable, it is highly recommended to bring additional drinking water for your stay. If water system fails the closest services are in Foresthill, 40 miles away. Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures contact the American River Ranger District (530) 367-2224 (voice), (530) 367-2226 (TDD).
- Campground is 40 miles from Foresthill and not on Lake Tahoe
- This is bear country; food must be stored in approved containers
- Last minute gas, ice and supplies should be purchased at Foresthill
- Click here for more information on the Tahoe National Forest
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally in Foresthill or by using down wood debris from the area that fit within the fire ring. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
- One vehicle (or two motorcycles) included with reservation. Additional vehicle fee cost is $5/each per night for all untowed vehicles. Please pay extra vehicle fee at the self-serve fee tube located near campground entrance.
- Large single unit RVs are not suitable for the campground roads. Even though a site might have a 40 foot parking space, a 40 foot long RV can’t navigate through the campground. Also please remember that site parking length includes trailer and vehicle.
- There is no cell phone service in this area!
Getting there & contact
Official directions
High clearance vehicles may take Foresthill Rd to the 43 Rd (Robinson Flat Rd) to Mosquito Ridge Rd, snow permitting. Access from Soda Springs and the 43 Rd is not recommoned to trucks with trailers, motorhomes/RV's or passenger vehicles that are not high clearance vehicle with four wheel drive. The campground is on the south shore.
Facility contact
530-367-2224