USDA Forest Service · California
Gates Group
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 3
- Hookups
- 3 no hookups
- Season
- May 14 to October 15
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Dump station
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 5,351 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
- UPPER GATES GROUP CG (NFSR 0068-002-01) · asphalt · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Tahoe National Forest
- Nearest town
- Foresthill
- Address
- 22830 Foresthill Road, Foresthill, CA, 95631
- Phone
- 530-367-2224
- Activities
- Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Picnic Tables, Swimming
3 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Gates Group Campground is located on the North Fork American River, at the north end of the French Meadows Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest. It is 40 miles from the town of Foresthill. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, boating and trail opportunities.
Recreation
The North Fork American River provides fishing and swimming. The reservoir can be accessed nearby. Popular activities include boating, canoeing, fishing and swimming. Two boat ramps are located within three miles of the campground.
A variety of hiking and biking trails are found in the surrounding area, including some that provide access to the nearby Granite Chief Wilderness. 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 opportunity for hiker, horseback riders, dirt bikers, and for adventurous maintain bikers.
Facilities
The campground offers three group campsites. Two sites can accommodate up to 25 people and eight vehicles each. Another group site can accommodates up to 75 people and 25 vehicles.
Picnic tables, campfire circles and grills are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water.
Natural Features
The campground is situated along the river, just north of French Meadows Reservoir. A coniferous forest covers the area. At an elevation of 5200 feet, summertime temperatures are warm in the day and cool at night.
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 | 45° | 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° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 85° | 57° | 48° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 83° | 58° | 51° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 75° | 52° | 43° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 68° | 44° | 31° | 81° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 52° | 37° | 25° | 72° | 5 of 10 |
| December | 45° | 32° | 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
- Ahart Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 12 sites
- Coyote Group · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 4 sites
- Lewis · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 40 sites
- French Meadows · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 63 sites
- Poppy Campground · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi
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.