How much does camping cost at Giant Gap?

Camping fees at Giant Gap range from $24-$48/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Giant Gap first-come first-served or reservation?

Giant Gap 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 Giant Gap before I book?

Yes! Giant Gap has 7 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 Giant Gap?

Giant Gap is open May 18 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 Giant Gap?

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

How many campsites does Giant Gap have?

Giant Gap has 30 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Giant Gap?

Yes, pets are allowed at Giant Gap. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Giant Gap?

Giant Gap offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Giant Gap?

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

Giant Gap

Q: Can I have a campfire at Giant Gap?

Fire policies at Giant Gap: 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.

4.02

279 reviews

22830 Foresthill Road

Summer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

3,600 ft

Price

$24 - $48/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

30 campsites

Season

Open between May 14t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on American River Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

3,600 ft

Price

$24 - $48/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

30 campsites

Season

Open between May 14t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on American River Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Giant Gap

$24.00 - $48.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC-DOUBLE: $48.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $24.00; TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC: $24.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

530-367-2224

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Giant Gap

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Campground Map

22830 Foresthill Road

Giant Gap

22830 Foresthill Road

Nearby places

Foresthill (15 miles, estimated 25-minute drive)

Weather at Giant Gap

Current alerts(5)

*** Large single unit RVs are not suitable for the campground roads. Even though a site might have a 40 foot parking space, a 40 foot long RV can’t navigate through the campground. Also please remember that site parking length includes trailer and vehicle.***
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 Sugar Pine Complex, except for in the staging area, at the turnoff to Big Reservoir, such as Sugarpine OHV and Parker Flat.

Best Time to Camp at Giant Gap

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable weather, low crowds, and peak fishing/hiking conditions — daytime highs in September and early October typically range from the mid-50s to mid-70s°F with cool nights in the 30s–40s. Water at Sugar Pine Reservoir is calm and clear, making early-fall boating, fishing, swimming (on warm days) and wildlife viewing especially pleasant, while trails are dry and easy to access. Visitor numbers drop after Labor Day, so you'll get quieter campsites and more Peak months: September, October, June, July Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall noted as best season — calm reservoir, dry trails, mild days and cool nights.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 18 to October 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open between May 14th and October 31st; reservations available starting June 23rd.

About Giant Gap

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.

Giant Gap Campground offers standard nonelectric and tent-only nonelectric campsites, as well as double-family campsites. The campground is tailored for traditional camping experiences in a natural setting.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable weather, low crowds, and peak fishing/hiking conditions — daytime highs in September and early October typically range from the mid-50s to mid-70s°F with cool nights in the 30s–40s. Water at Sugar Pine Reservoir is calm and clear, making early-fall boating, fishing, swimming (on warm days) and wildlife viewing especially pleasant, while trails are dry and easy to access. Visitor numbers drop after Labor Day, so you'll get quieter campsites and more Peak months: September, October, June, July Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation3600 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits in a mixed conifer forest of cedar and ponderosa pine, with most sites shaded by the canopy. Sugar Pine Reservoir covers 160 acres and provides the centerpiece for the camp, with calm water reflecting the surrounding trees. The elevation marks a transition zone where different forest types meet. On warm days, the vanilla scent of ponderosa bark mixes with mountain air. Drought conditions can lower the reservoir's water level during summer, exposing new shoreline and hidden coves. The surrounding terrain consists of gentle ridges and valleys shaped by ancient volcanic activity and erosion.

Lodging & AccommodationsCabins or hotel-style lodging are not available at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 15 nights during a visit, with a yearly limit of 15 nights.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov

AccessibilityA few campsites are accessible, and a paved, non-motorized trail connects the campground to nearby areas.

Site SizeCampsites range in size, with some being large enough to accommodate families or groups. 'Site #23 has plenty of space for a family of 4,' according to one camper.

PrivacyThe level of privacy varies. Some sites are described as well-spaced and private, while others are criticized for being too close to neighbors: 'Some campsites were HUGE,' noted one user, while others pointed out that 'the sites are too close to each other.

Total Campsites30 campsites

Recommended SitesUsers recommend reserving sites further from vault toilets due to smell and proximity to loud neighbors.

Best CampsitesSite #21 gets frequent praise for privacy and proximity to the reservoir. Site #23 offers enough space for a family of four. Some sites are large, while others sit close to neighbors. Avoid sites near the vault toilets if you're sensitive to odor.

Need help booking Giant Gap?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Giant Gap Campground, located at an elevation of 3,600 feet on the north shore of Sugar Pine Reservoir, offers a mix of basic and functional amenities within the scenic Tahoe National Forest. Visitors have access to essential facilities such as campfire rings, picnic tables, and grills at each campsite, as well as vault toilets and potable water spigots. Firewood can be purchased on-site from the campground host. However, reviews reveal some inconsistencies in the availability of certain services, such as firewood and water quality.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Visitors to Giant Gap Campground can enjoy a variety of recreational activities centered around the Sugar Pine Reservoir and the surrounding natural landscape. Popular activities include hiking, fishing, non-motorized boating, and swimming.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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 must be placed in designated dumpsters, and any overflow is to be stored in bear-proof containers. Proper locking of dumpsters is emphasized to prevent wildlife interference.

Cell Coverage'There is no cell service here, but that’s what camping is all about,' said one reviewer. Another noted, 'If you take the designated trail to the dam, you can get 1 bar of cell service.'

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.0

279 reviews

Satisfactory

Giant Gap is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Users have mixed opinions on Giant Gap Campground, with some praising its natural beauty and well-maintained facilities, while others criticize issues such as noise, host behavior, and the availability of services. The average sentiment seems positive at 4.07 stars.

Review Summaries

Based on 279 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 279 reviews.

Site #23Loved
Site #23 is highlighted as spacious and accommodating for families.
Site #29Loved
Site #29 offers partial shade and proximity to the ADA trail.
Site #17Mentioned
Site #17 is criticized for lack of privacy.

What Campers Love

Reviewers commend the scenic location, access to the reservoir, and the overall cleanliness of the sites. Many appreciate the helpfulness of camp hosts when present.

Based on 279 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues include noise disturbances from other campers, unresponsive hosts, low water levels in the reservoir, and the lack of enforcement of quiet hours.

Based on 279 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring earplugs to counter noise from neighbors, and avoid sites near the vault toilets due to odor. Plan for alternative drinking water if concerned about iron content.

Based on 279 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is busiest in summer, with issues like wasps and noise more prevalent during peak season. Spring and early summer offer better conditions with fewer disturbances.

Based on 279 reviews

Camper Quotes

'This is a beautiful campground. The lake is gorgeous.' - JEANNE S. 'The camphost was very helpful and kept the restrooms clean.' - RANDY B. 'Our campsite was peaceful and offered good privacy.' -...

Based on 279 reviews

Accessibility Features

A few campsites are accessible, and the paved trail around the reservoir is noted as stroller-friendly. However, reviews discussing this feature are minimal.

Based on 279 reviews