Connectivity
No community carrier report is currently published for this campground.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Lewis
Tahoe National Forest, California
About this campground
Lewis Campground is located on French Meadows Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest, 40 miles east Foresthill.
The campground sits on the north shore of French Meadows Reservoir in a coniferous forest.
Other recreation opportunities include many hiking, equestrian, mountain biking, and motorcycle singletrack trails, Duncan Canyon, Duncan Peak Lookout, Robinson Flat historic ranger station, Placer County Big Tree Grove Botanical Area, and Grouse Falls Scenic Area.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 39.132125° N
- Longitude
- 120.416891° 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
- Walk-inCommunity report
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Standard campsites
- Group sitesCommunity report
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
- 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
- Paved roads
- Big rig friendlyPublished vehicle length up to 53 ft
- 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
Lewis Campground is located on French Meadows Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest, 40 miles east Foresthill. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, boating and trail opportunities.
Facilities
The campground offers single-family campsites, a few of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and a grill. Flush and vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Roads and parking spurs are paved.
Recreation
Popular activities on the reservoir include boating, canoeing, fishing and swimming. McGuire boat ramp is located within a mile of the campground. The Middle Fork American River can be accessed nearby and provides fishing and swimming. A variety of hiking and biking trails are found in the surrounding area, including the Western States Trail, Tevis Cup Trail, and some that provide access to the nearby Granite Chief Wilderness.
Natural Features
The campground sits on the north shore of French Meadows Reservoir in a coniferous forest. The reservoir is on the Middle Fork of the American River and is the western gateway to the Granite Chief Wilderness.
Nearby Attractions
Lewis Campground is a recreation site within the French Meadows Recreation Area which includes many other recreation facilities. The Granite Chief Wilderness can be accessed nearby at Talbot Trailhead and access to the Western States Trail and Tevis Cup Trail also can be accessed nearby. Other recreation opportunities include many hiking, equestrian, mountain biking, and motorcycle singletrack trails, Duncan Canyon, Duncan Peak Lookout, Robinson Flat historic ranger station, Placer County Big Tree Grove Botanical Area, and Grouse Falls Scenic Area.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Biking
- Scenic Drive
- Boating
- Kayaking
- Non-Motorized Boating
Amenities and facility features
- Flush 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
- Pets allowedFollow the exact facility restrictions
- Accessible Sites
- Drinking Water
- Host
- Paved Roads
- Self Pay Station
- Shade
- Trash Collection
- Vault Toilets
- Water Spigot
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
38 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 45 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- 3 flagged accessible
Management
2 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 45 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- 1 flagged accessible
Site rules, inventory & rates
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Site rules
- 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
- Lewis's official facility record states: Campground is 40 miles from Foresthill and not on Lake Tahoe This is bear country; food must be stored in provided food storage lockers First-come, first-served sites may be available 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…
- Fire and stove use
- The current official campground record does not publish a campground-specific fire or stove rule. Check current posted restrictions before using any flame.
- 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 | $20 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 21, 2027 – Sep 30, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $20 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 21, 2028 – Sep 30, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $20 | — | — |
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 provided food storage lockers
- First-come, first-served sites may be available
- 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.
- 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 recommended for trucks with trailers, motorhomes/RV's or passenger vehicles that are not high clearance vehicles with four wheel drive. It is 6 miles around the lake to the north shore, Lewis Campground will be on the right.
Facility contact
530-367-2224