French Meadows
FRENCH MEADOWS
Part of Tahoe National Forest
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.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.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.Important Notices
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 and burning it on-site. 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!
Notifications and Alerts
The French Meadows Campground and the French Meadows RV Dump Station are closed for 2025 while they undergo construction.
This closure DOES NOT include:
- the Day Use or Boat Launch sites
- Ahart Campground
- Lewis Campground
- Coyote Group
- Gates Group
You experience sounds of nearby construction during the weekdays. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you and thank you for your patience.
Attention Campers - French Meadows Campground Redesign has been completed in 2025. Please verify the site locations on the map prior to reserving. Most sites have changed locations and have different campsite numbers. A new map will be uploaded with 63 redesigned sites. Please see attached in additional information documents.
Available Activities
- Hiking - Hiking
- Fishing - Fishing
- Camping - Camping
- Boating - Boating
- Biking - Biking
- Swimming - Swimming
- Photography - Photography
- Paddling - Paddling
- Canoeing - Canoeing
- Auto Touring - Auto Touring
Directions
<p>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. </p> <p>The campground is on the south shore. </p>
Contact Information
Phone: 530-367-2224
AMERICAN RIVER RANGER DISTRICT22830 FORESTHILL ROAD
FORESTHILL, CA 95631
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 037, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 053, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 038, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 055, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 063, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 047, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 056, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 046, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 049, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 050, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 054, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 052, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 051, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 058, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 044, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 061, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 062, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 057, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 060, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 048, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 045, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 041, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 039, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 040, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 035, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 059, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop AREA FRENCH MEADOWS, Type Standard Nonelectric
