USDA Forest Service · California
French Meadows
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 63
- Hookups
- 61 no hookups
- Season
- May 14 to October 15
- Max RV length
- 85 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 5,315 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- FRENCH MEADOWS CG, W. LOOP (NFSR 0096-080) · asphalt · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Tahoe National Forest
- Nearest town
- FORESTHILL
- Address
- AMERICAN RIVER RANGER DISTRICT, FORESTHILL, CA, 95631
- Phone
- 530-367-2224
- Activities
- Auto Touring, Biking, Boating, Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Hiking, Paddling, Photography, Swimming
63 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
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.
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44° | 32° | 20° | 58° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 43° | 31° | 15° | 60° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 46° | 32° | 20° | 73° | 9 of 11 |
| April | 50° | 34° | 16° | 65° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 63° | 42° | 30° | 76° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 75° | 50° | 34° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 85° | 57° | 48° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 84° | 58° | 52° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 75° | 52° | 44° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 68° | 44° | 31° | 81° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 52° | 38° | 25° | 72° | 5 of 10 |
| December | 45° | 33° | 20° | 64° | 8 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Poppy Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Lewis · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 40 sites
- Coyote Group · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 4 sites
- Gates Group · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 3 sites
- Ahart Campground · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 12 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-06-19. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.