French Meadows

Star4.23
215 reviews
AMERICAN RIVER RANGER DISTRICT, 22830 FORESTHILL ROAD, FORESTHILL, CA 95631, USA
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

5,315 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

75 campsites

Season

Open May 21 to Septe...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Tahoe National Forest site

Official Website
Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
French Meadows
$24.00 - $24.00 / night
Campsite Fees
The nightly rate during peak season is $24 for standard non-electric sites. Additional fees include $10 for changes and cancellations made outside of...
Show more
Standard Site Fee$24.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
530-367-2224
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.23

Satisfactory

Based on 215 reviews

77 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanspaciousfriendlysites

"French Meadows Campground is frequently praised for its tranquility, natural beauty, and well-maintained sites. However, some reviews cited issues like noisy neighbors, water system failures, and challenging access roads."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

AMERICAN RIVER RANGER DISTRICT, 22830 FORESTHILL ROAD, FORESTHILL, CA 95631, USA

French Meadows

AMERICAN RIVER RANGER DISTRICT, 22830 FORESTHILL ROAD, FORESTHILL, CA 95631, USA

Driving directionsMosquito Ridge Rd outside of Foresthill is closed. As of June 2023, access to French Meadows Reservoir for low-clearance vehicles, trucks pulling any type of trailer, and motorhomes/RVs is best through Georgetown on the Eldorado National Forest, taking Wentworth Springs Rd to Eleven Pines Rd. 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 recommended to trucks with trailers, motorhomes/RVs or passenger vehicles that are not high-clearance vehicles with four-wheel drive.
Access involves winding narrow mountain roads, potentially unsafe for non-high-clearance vehicles. Soda Springs Road is especially treacherous with water crossings, fallen trees, and snow drifts in early June.
Nearby places
Foresthill: 40 miles, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes driving time.
Nearby supplies
Foresthill, 40 miles away, provides gas, ice, and camping essentials.

Best Time to Camp at French Meadows

Experience the best of Sierra Nevada summers at French Meadows, where warm, sun-drenched days give way to refreshingly cool evenings perfect for campfire stories and stargazing. Pack layers for those crisp mountain nights that provide welcome relief from daytime heat. Early-season adventurers should note that winter's grip lingers here – heavy snow drifts and fallen trees often challenge access roads well into June, adding an element of wilderness adventure to your journey.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Best season: warm days, cool evenings, full range of activities; however weekends can be noisy.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open into late Sept; likely quieter and scenic, but season is shorter and variable with water levels.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Opens May 21; spring access and water levels can be variable but offers pleasant cool weather and previews of summer activities.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside May 21–Sept 30 window.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 21, 2025 - September 30, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open May 21 to September 30, reservable starting June 22, 2025.
  • Current Alerts: Mosquito Ridge Rd outside of Foresthill is closed.

About French Meadows

Escape to French Meadows Campground, where the pristine waters of French Meadows Reservoir meet towering pine forests along its southern shore. This Tahoe National Forest gem invites you to cast a line at dawn, launch your boat into crystal-clear waters, or simply float the afternoon away. Well-appointed with paved roads and modern amenities including flush and vault toilets, reliable potable water, and thoughtfully designed ADA-accessible sites, French Meadows seamlessly blends wilderness adventure with creature comforts. Whether you're here to explore scenic hiking trails or gather around the campfire under a canopy of stars, this lakeside retreat promises memories that last long after the embers fade.
French Meadows Campground offers standard non-electric campsites suitable for tents and small RVs. Some sites are first-come, first-served, while others are reservable.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
The official check-in time is 2:00 PM.
Check-out
The official check-out time is 12:00 PM.
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 15 nights during a visit and up to 15 nights total within each year.

Amenities available

Potable water
Flush toilets
Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

French Meadows Campground is a hub for outdoor recreation including hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and wildlife viewing. The proximity to French Meadows Reservoir and trails to the Granite Chief Wilderness cater to both adventurous and leisure campers.
HikingHiking opportunities include trails leading to the Granite Chief Wilderness and the Western States Trail. Trails vary in difficulty and may include historical and scenic paths.
FishingFrench Meadows Reservoir offers fishing opportunities, though reviews indicated that fishing can be unproductive during low reservoir levels. One user stated: 'We went specifically to fish and were not able to.'
SwimmingSwimming in French Meadows Reservoir is popular, with some users describing the water as clear and refreshing. However, rocky shorelines may make access challenging.
BikingThe Western States Trail offers mountain biking opportunities, though it is also shared with hikers and equestrians.
BoatingBoating is facilitated by the adjacent boat ramp. Both motorized and non-motorized boating activities, such as canoeing, are common.
Wildlife viewingThe campground is surrounded by natural habitats, with opportunities to see deer, ducks, and other wildlife.
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include wildlife encounters (bears), challenging terrain to access water features, and risks on winding mountain roads.
Active AlertsMosquito Ridge Rd outside of Foresthill is closed.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.
Food Storage RequiredEach campsite is equipped with a bear-proof food storage locker.

Weather at French Meadows

Reviews

4.2
215 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
French Meadows is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
French Meadows Campground is frequently praised for its tranquility, natural beauty, and well-maintained sites. However, some reviews cited issues like noisy neighbors, water system failures, and challenging access roads.
Review Summaries
Based on 215 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean and spacious campsites, friendly and accommodating camp host, proximity to the reservoir, and opportunities for disconnecting from technology.
Based on 215 reviews

Common Concerns

Noisy groups during weekends, occasional lack of water and restroom facilities, and rocky or steep access to the reservoir.
Based on 215 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring extra drinking water and toilet paper. Avoid Soda Springs Road unless in a high-clearance vehicle. Download maps in advance due to lack of cell service.
Based on 215 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer experiences varied widely; weekdays were quieter, while weekends brought more noise. Water levels and facilities like bathrooms were occasionally impacted by drought conditions.
Based on 215 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'This campground is one of, if not the best national forest campground that I've ever been to.' 2. 'No cell service at all - thing that I liked the most.' 3. 'Bathrooms were relatively clean and...
Show more
Based on 215 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 49 was noted for its proximity to the lake but experienced strong winds. Site 47 was sunny and near the bathroom. Sites 48, 50, and 56 were praised for their views and privacy.
Based on 215 reviews

Accessibility Features

Wheelchair-accessible sites and paved roads were appreciated, though some users mentioned closed bathrooms causing difficulties for those with mobility issues.
Based on 215 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, and the campground is generally pet-friendly. A user mentioned 'lots of shady campsites' and recommended bringing extra water and supplies for pets.
Based on 215 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to French Meadows? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 13, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in California

Campgrounds
Tahoe National Forest
French Meadows