How much does camping cost at Lewis?

Camping fees at Lewis are $20/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Lewis first-come first-served or reservation?

Lewis 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 Lewis before I book?

Yes! Lewis 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 Lewis?

Lewis is open May 14 to September 30. 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 Lewis?

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

How many campsites does Lewis have?

Lewis has 50 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Lewis?

Yes, pets are allowed at Lewis. 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 Lewis?

Lewis 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 Lewis?

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

Lewis

4.19

93 reviews

22830 Foresthill Road, Foresthill, CA, 75631, USA

Top 15% in CASummer

BReport Card

SwimmingSummer Destination

Featured in:Swimming Camping California

Quick Facts

5,344 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

50 campsites

Season

"Season opens May 21...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on "American River Ranger District, Tahoe National Forest"Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

5,344 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

50 campsites

Season

"Season opens May 21...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on "American River Ranger District, Tahoe National Forest"Official Website

Get Directions

Lewis

$20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No campsite fee categories listed.

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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, 75631, USA

Lewis

22830 Foresthill Road, Foresthill, CA, 75631, USA

Nearby places

Foresthill (40 miles).

Driving directions"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 for trucks with trailers, motorhomes/RVs or passenger vehicles that are not high clearance vehicles with four-wheel drive. It is 6 miles around the lake to the north shore, Lewis Campground will be on the right."

Weather at Lewis

Best Time to Camp at Lewis

Best season: summer. Summer offers reliably warm, sunny days (typically highs in the mid-60s to mid-80s°F at 5,300 ft) with cool nights (40s–50s°F), making water activities on French Meadows Reservoir — boating, swimming and warm-weather fishing — most enjoyable. Trails melt out and are fully passable by late June, so hiking and mountain biking are at their peak while camp services (flush toilets, drinking water) and reservations are in effect. Expect the busiest weekends in July–August, so plan reservations early;/ Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 15% in CA

Best season: summer. Warm days, water activities and peak access make summer the highlight.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 14 to September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: "Season opens May 21, 2025. Reservations start June 22, 2025, and go until September 30, 2025."

About Lewis

Lewis Campground sits at 5,300 feet in Tahoe National Forest near French Meadows Reservoir, managed by the American River Ranger District. The mid-sized campground offers tent and RV sites with flush and vault toilets, potable water, and direct access to reservoir swimming, boating, and fishing. Reviewers praise the clean facilities and wilderness setting, though some note the campground feels open after tree clearing and cell service is unavailable.

Lewis Campground offers standard nonelectric campsites suitable for tent and RV camping. It is located within the French Meadows Recreation Area and accommodates single-family stays.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers reliably warm, sunny days (typically highs in the mid-60s to mid-80s°F at 5,300 ft) with cool nights (40s–50s°F), making water activities on French Meadows Reservoir — boating, swimming and warm-weather fishing — most enjoyable. Trails melt out and are fully passable by late June, so hiking and mountain biking are at their peak while camp services (flush toilets, drinking water) and reservations are in effect. Expect the busiest weekends in July–August, so plan reservations early;/ Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation5344 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies the north shore of French Meadows Reservoir at 5,344 feet elevation, surrounded by coniferous forest. Towering pines and firs provide shade over most sites, though some reviewers noted the forest feels more open than expected due to cleared trees. The reservoir offers direct water access for swimming, boating, and fishing. Beyond the campground, trails lead into the Granite Chief Wilderness, where the Middle Fork of the American River has carved through granite peaks and forested valleys. The landscape reflects ancient volcanic activity and glacial carving that shaped this section of the western Sierra Nevada.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground is strictly for camping and does not provide hotel-style lodging.

Programs & ActivitiesThere are no explicitly mentioned cultural or educational programs.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

"You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground."

Groups

No group sites are explicitly mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation Platformsreservation.gov

AccessibilityThe campground offers a few accessible campsites equipped with picnic tables and grills. Roads and parking spurs are paved, contributing to accessibility.

Site SizeSite sizes vary, with some users noting issues accommodating trailers. "Site sizes are slightly off and cannot accommodate trailers in all the sites," according to one review.

PrivacyPrivacy levels vary by site. "The sites are a little close together, but be mindful of your neighbors and you'll have a great time," one user noted.

Total Campsites50 campsites

Recommended SitesPick sites 16, 35, 36 for privacy and shade. Avoid sites in full sun during hot weather. Site 13 recommended for smaller vehicles due to parking incline.

Best CampsitesSites 16, 35, 36, and 17 get recommended for privacy and shade. Sites 14, 25, and 7 are popular for reservoir views and proximity to the water. Some sites sit far enough from neighbors to feel isolated, though this varies by loop and availability.

Need help booking Lewis?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

The Lewis Campground provides essential amenities for campers, including picnic tables, grills, flush and vault toilets, potable water, food lockers, and trash collection. Roads and parking spurs are paved, ensuring accessibility. According to user reviews, potable water is available at multiple spigots throughout the campground, while some reviews report that flush toilets are a significant relief. "Bathrooms were in good shape and there were plenty of water faucets with clean drinking water," a user described. Bear lockers are available for food storage due to the campground's location in bear country. Several reviews note downed trees in the area that can be used as firewood, even when the camp host appears unavailable to sell firewood.

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Lewis

Lewis Campground offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, swimming, biking, and boating. The proximity to French Meadows Reservoir and trails leading to the Granite Chief Wilderness enhance the recreational value. Boating and canoeing are popular on the reservoir, while the Middle Fork American River supports fishing and swimming. "Fishing, boating, and swimming were highlights of our trip," stated a user review. Wildlife viewing is also notable, with one user recounting a bear sighting during a hike.

Hiking4.0/5

Access to Western States Trail, Tevis Cup Trail and routes into Granite Chief Wilderness.

Fishing4.0/5

Swimming4.0/5Top 21% in California

Boating4.0/5

Water Sports4.0/5

Non-motorized boating including canoeing and kayaking is available from the reservoir.

Biking3.5/5

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Scenic reservoir, forest light, and night skies present strong photo opportunities.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Food Storage Required"Mandatory use due to bear activity. Lockers are provided at each site."},

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

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

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

93 reviews

Satisfactory

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

User reviews highlight the quiet and beautiful surroundings, clean facilities, and the range of activities at Lewis Campground. Several comments praise the proximity to the reservoir and the wilderness vibe. Common themes include the remoteness and lack of cell service, which are seen as positives for some campers.

Review Summaries

Based on 93 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive themes from reviews include the scenic beauty, clean restrooms, potable water availability, and range of activities such as swimming, fishing, and hiking. "Bathrooms were clean and well...

Based on 93 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include downed trees not being fully cleared, lack of firewood for purchase, and challenges accessing the site due to rough roads. "The firewood was locked up, and the camp host was...

Based on 93 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews highlight variability in site sizes and privacy levels. Site 017 was noted for its lack of proximity to water, while site 013 was recommended for smaller SUVs/sedans due to...

Based on 93 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips include bringing extra drinking water due to the potential failure of water systems, arriving early to avoid winds on the reservoir, and gas up before heading to the campground as it is remote....

Based on 93 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer seems to be the most popular season for visits, with complaints about winds on the reservoir and lack of shade during peak heat periods. "Afternoon lake wind can be crazy," noted one user....

Based on 93 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Such an amazing place to camp with friends and family in the middle of Tahoe National Forest." - Ishan P. "Glad we brought the Tacoma as even a Subaru would have trouble at points along the road." -...

Based on 93 reviews

Accessibility Features

The campground has a few accessible campsites, and paved roads and parking spurs improve accessibility for wheelchair users and other visitors with disabilities.

Based on 93 reviews