How much does camping cost at Forbes Creek?

Camping fees at Forbes Creek range from $132/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Forbes Creek first-come first-served or reservation?

Forbes Creek accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Forbes Creek before I book?

Yes! Forbes Creek has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Forbes Creek?

Forbes Creek is open May 07 to October 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Forbes Creek?

Forbes Creek does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Forbes Creek have?

Forbes Creek has 2 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Forbes Creek?

Pets are not allowed at Forbes Creek. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Forbes Creek?

Forbes Creek offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Forbes Creek?

Popular activities at Forbes Creek include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Forbes Creek

Q: Can I have a campfire at Forbes Creek?

Fire policies at Forbes Creek: Water Faucets: • While safe to drink, the potable water in the campground has a high iron content and visitors may wish to bring their own drinking water. • Visitors may not connect hoses to faucets for sanitation concerns. • Faucets are meant for drinking water only. For sanitation reasons there can be no bathing or cleaning at faucets. • All grey water must be properly disposed of at the dump station. Trash: • Trash should be placed in dumpsters. If the dumpsters are full then trash must be pr. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

3.35

16 reviews

22830 Foresthill Road, Foresthill, CA 95631, USA

Summer Destination

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

3,600 ft

Price

$132/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Open May 14, 2025, t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Tahoe National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

3,600 ft

Price

$132/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Open May 14, 2025, t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Tahoe National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Forbes Creek

$132.00 - $132.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $132.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Group Site Fee$132.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

530-367-2224

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

22830 Foresthill Road, Foresthill, CA 95631, USA

Forbes Creek

22830 Foresthill Road, Foresthill, CA 95631, USA

Nearby places

Foresthill (5 miles), Auburn (25 miles), Sacramento (60 miles), Reno (85 miles).

Driving directionsTake Interstate 80 to the Foresthill/Auburn exit, near Auburn. Continue east for 17 miles to Foresthill. Travel through town, about 9 miles, to Forest Road 10/Sugar Pine Road. Turn left and continue about 9 miles. Look for the Sugar Pine Recreation Area sign and turn right on the first road after the sign. Continue about a half-mile to the Rocky Ridge Group Campground, on the right, and to the Madrone Group Campground, at the end of the circle.

Weather at Forbes Creek

Current alerts(3)

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.
Off-road vehicle use is prohibited within the Sugar Pine Complex, except for in the staging areas at the turnoff to Big Reservoir, such as Sugarpine OHV and Parker Flat.

Best Time to Camp at Forbes Creek

Best season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Forbes Creek because warm, comfortable days (typically mid-70s to mid-80s°F) and cool nights (mid-40s to mid-50s°F) make swimming, boating, paddling and shore fishing ideal. The 160-acre Sugar Pine Reservoir is at its most inviting—water temperatures in late July–August are pleasant for swimmers and small-craft boating, and trails and bike routes are fully accessible. Expect moderate to heavy weekend crowds and holiday reservation demand, so book in advance and,— Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer days mid-70s–80s and warm reservoir water make summer the ideal season.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 07 to October 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 14, 2025, through October 31, 2025.

About Forbes Creek

Forbes Creek sits in the Tahoe National Forest foothills near Foresthill, offering direct access to 160-acre Sugar Pine Reservoir. This very small campground operated by the Forest Service caters to tent campers, RVs, and groups seeking swimming, boating, fishing, and trail access during the peak summer season. Sites are spacious with multiple picnic tables and large communal fire pits.

Forbes Creek Group Campground provides accommodations primarily for group camping, with spaces suitable for RVs, trailers, and tents. Both group sites are large and equipped with communal cooking and social areas.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Forbes Creek because warm, comfortable days (typically mid-70s to mid-80s°F) and cool nights (mid-40s to mid-50s°F) make swimming, boating, paddling and shore fishing ideal. The 160-acre Sugar Pine Reservoir is at its most inviting—water temperatures in late July–August are pleasant for swimmers and small-craft boating, and trails and bike routes are fully accessible. Expect moderate to heavy weekend crowds and holiday reservation demand, so book in advance and,— Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation3600 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe 160-acre Sugar Pine Reservoir is the centerpiece here, surrounded by forested ridges thick with cedar and ponderosa pine. At 3,600 feet, the campground occupies a basin carved by ancient geological forces, where granite foundations and volcanic soils support the dense conifer stands. Most campsites sit under mature trees that filter sunlight and frame views of the water. The forest feels established rather than sparse, with aromatic cedar mixing with the taller pines.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging accommodations are mentioned for this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit of 15 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 50 guests per group site.

Groups

There are two group campsites, Madrone and Rocky Ridge, each capable of hosting up to 50 people and 18 vehicles. The sites are well-equipped with central cooking areas, large fire circles, and multiple picnic tables.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made on Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityAn unloading area and accessible parking are available within the campground.

Site SizeGroup sites are large enough to accommodate up to 50 people and 18 vehicles per site.

PrivacyThe privacy level of campsites is not explicitly mentioned.

Total Campsites2 campsites

Recommended SitesFor privacy and group activities, Madrone site is recommended due to its spacious layout and shaded, level spots suitable for both RVs and tents.

Best CampsitesThe Madrone site offers several level spots for RVs and tents, most shaded, with multiple picnic tables, grills, and a large central fire pit that works well for evening gatherings. Both Madrone and Rocky Ridge accommodate up to 50 people with central cooking areas and campfire circles. Reviews mention spaciousness but also note issues with bears getting into trash left in bear boxes by previous campers.

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Recreation.gov Guide

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Amenities available

Forbes Creek Group Campground offers amenities designed for large group camping experiences. With two group campsites, each accommodating up to 50 people and 18 vehicles, the amenities include central cooking and picnic areas, large campfire circles, grills, and picnic tables. Drinking water is available, though it has a high iron content, and vault toilets are provided on-site. Trash collection is ensured through dumpsters, but any overflow must be stored in bear boxes. RVs, trailers, and tents are allowed, with accessible parking and unloading areas available.

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Forbes Creek Group Campground offers a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, canoeing, swimming, and boating on the Sugar Pine Reservoir. Hiking and non-motorized biking trails connect the campground to the lake and nearby boat ramp, and the surrounding area features numerous trails for hiking, biking, and off-road vehicle use. Wildlife viewing opportunities are also present, thanks to the natural surroundings.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Food Storage RequiredBear boxes are available and must be used to store food to prevent wildlife disturbances.

Fire PolicyWater Faucets: • While safe to drink, the potable water in the campground has a high iron content and visitors may wish to bring their own drinking water. • Visitors may not connect hoses to faucets for sanitation concerns. • Faucets are meant for drinking water only. For sanitation reasons there can be no bathing or cleaning at faucets. • All grey water must be properly disposed of at the dump station. Trash: • Trash should be placed in dumpsters. If the dumpsters are full then trash must be pr

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection is available via dumpsters, but visitors must use bear boxes for storage if dumpsters are full to prevent wildlife from accessing refuse.

Cell CoverageCell phone service availability is not mentioned.

Trip Planning Tools

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.4

16 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Forbes Creek has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the spaciousness and facilities of the group campsites, such as large communal areas with fire pits and picnic tables. Some issues with trash management and wildlife encounters, including bears, are mentioned.

Review Summaries

Based on 16 reviews

What Campers Love

"The Madrone site...was very spacious with several level spots for both RVs and tents, most of which were shady. There are several picnic tables and grills and a really big central fire pit which was...

Based on 16 reviews

Common Concerns

Bears and trash management were noted as concerns. Vanessa M.: "Wasps and BEARS! They destroyed the garbage at the camp next to us." Tanisa H.: "There were several bags of trash in the bear boxes...

Based on 16 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

The Madrone site is praised for its spaciousness and available shade: "The Madrone site...was very spacious with several level spots for both RVs and tents, most of which were shady."

Based on 16 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers are advised to clean up after themselves to avoid wildlife issues. Tanisa H. suggests, "If you stay here please clean up after yourselves."

Based on 16 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews indicate warm daytime temperatures and cool evenings, making it an ideal season for camping but also highlighting the importance of proper trash management to prevent wildlife...

Based on 16 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Wasps and BEARS! They destroyed the garbage at the camp next to us." - Vanessa M. "The Madrone site...was very spacious with several level spots for both RVs and tents." - Tanisa H.

Based on 16 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews address accessibility features.

Based on 16 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews explicitly mention experiences with pets.

Based on 16 reviews

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Go if

You want a small-scale summer base camp on a swimmable foothill reservoir with room for groups.

Skip if

You need off-season access or want to avoid bear activity and wasp presence during peak months.

Nearby Campgrounds

22830 Foresthill Road

Giant Gap sits in the foothills of Tahoe National Forest near Foresthill, offering small-scale tent and RV camping with direct access to Sugar Pine Reservoir. Operated by the American River Ranger District, the campground draws visitors for lakeside fishing, swimming, boating, and hiking trails. Sites include vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables, with a 15-day stay limit and seasonal operation during peak months.

Forbes Creek

Real-Time Availability

Quick Facts

Real-Time Availability

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Plan a trip to Forbes Creek

Campground Map

Weather at Forbes Creek

Current alerts(3)

Best Time to Camp at Forbes Creek

Planning Tips

About Forbes Creek

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Forbes Creek?

Amenities available

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Go if

Skip if

Overview

About the campground

Seasons & access

Facilities

Water activities

RV information

Directions

Plan a trip to Forbes Creek

Current alerts(3)

Best Time to Camp at Forbes Creek

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Forbes Creek?

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews