East Meadow Campground

EAST MEADOW CAMPGROUND

Part of Tahoe National Forest

Overview

East Meadow Campground is located alongside the scenic Jackson Meadow Reservoir, in the Tahoe National Forest. Its location provides for a great base camp, allowing visitors to enjoy a wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking and hunting.
East Meadow Campground is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.

Facilities

The campground offers single- and double-family campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Flushing and Vault toilets and drinking water are also provided.

Natural Features

Jackson Meadow Reservoir is situated in a rolling forested valley, where visitors are awarded beautiful views of the Sierra Crest and English Mountain. The campground lies on the northeastern shore of the lake, in a forest of pine and fir trees. Some sites have a view of the lake, and boats can be moored nearby.

Recreation

The adjacent 1,000-acre lake offers excellent opportunities for boating, canoeing, water skiing, swimming and fishing. Anglers will find rainbow and brown trout. A boat ramp is located at Pass Creek Campground. A designated swim beach is nearby. The lake is an irrigation source, meaning its level will drop as the season progresses.

A portion of the Pacific Crest Trail meanders along the east side of the lake. It is open to hiking and horseback riding and provides opportunities for viewing wildlife. Hunting and biking are popular activities in the surrounding area.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (530) 994-3401.

Important Notices

  • One vehicle included with single site reservation and two vehicles included in double site reservation. Additional vehicle fee cost is $5/each per night for all vehicles. All operable, highway legal vehicles must pay extra vehicle fee, excluding the single vehicle included with the reservation. Please pay extra vehicle fee at the self-serve fee tube located near campground entrance if not paid online.

  • Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers.

  • Utility hookups, showers, telephones and cell phone service are not available at the campground.

  • Off-road vehicle use is prohibited within the campground.

  • 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 Sierraville Ranger District (530) 994-3401 (voice), (530) 994-3521 (TDD).
  • 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.
  • Please follow directions to the campground as listed; do not rely on your GPS.
  • Campsite check-out time is 12:00pm. Check-in time is 2:00pm.

  • 6 people and 2 dogs maximum per single site. Dogs shall always be kept on leash no longer than six feet or otherwise confined. Violation notices WILL be issued for non-compliance. 

Notifications and Alerts

  • Attention: Due to the threat of golden mussels, these boat launches will be closed to motorized watercraft for the 2025 season: 1) Jackson Meadows Reservoir boat launches (Pass Creek and Woodcamp) and 2) Bowman Lake. You may still launch non-motorized watercraft from these boat launches. For more information, about the golden mussel and how to do your part to reduce the threat of introduction, please read below and visit: https://www.nidwater.com/jackson-meadows.

     The non-native, highly invasive golden mussel was discovered in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in October 2024. Once established, they can affect flood control by reducing water flow and contribute to harmful algal blooms. Please contact the waterbody you plan to visit for latest information about launching requirements. Since golden mussels and their larval offspring are very small, they may easily go unseen on your watercraft. To keep our favorite lakes and rivers free from this risk, please Clean, Drain, Dry equipment and watercraft before and after entering a waterbody: https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28993

Available Activities

  • SWIMMING SITE - Swimming
  • WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
  • WATER SPORTS - Water Skiing
  • HUNTING - Hunting
  • HIKING - Hiking
  • FISHING - Fishing
  • CAMPING - Camping
  • BOATING - Canoeing
  • BIKING - Mountain Biking

Directions

Take Interstate 80 to the Truckee/Highway 89 North exit. Follow Highway 89 north for 17 miles, to the turnoff for Jackson Meadows. Travel west on Forest Road 07 for 18 miles to Jackson Meadows Reservoir. Turn into the campground at the Pass Creek Campground sign.

Contact Information

Phone: 530-265-8861

SIERRAVILLE RANGER DISTRICT
317 SOUTH LINCOLN ST (HWY 89)
PO BOX 95
SIERRAVILLE, CA 96126

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Available Campsites

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