How much does camping cost at Poppy Campground?

Camping fees at Poppy Campground range from $18/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Poppy Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Poppy Campground 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.

What is the best time to visit Poppy Campground?

Poppy Campground is open null. 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 Poppy Campground?

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

Can I have a campfire at Poppy Campground?

Fire policies at Poppy Campground: null. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Poppy Campground have?

Poppy Campground has 12 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Poppy Campground?

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

What amenities are available at Poppy Campground?

Poppy Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Poppy Campground?

Popular activities at Poppy Campground include Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Poppy Campground

3 reviews

Peace & QuietSummer Destination

Quick Facts

5,300 ft

Price

$18/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

5,300 ft

Price

$18/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Poppy Campground

$18.00 - $18.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The campground charges $18 per night per single site. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount for single campsites...

Standard Site Fee$18.00

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I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Poppy Campground

39.1200, -120.4366

Nearby places

Foresthill (36 miles east)

Nearby supplies

null

Driving directionsDirections from Foresthill: Travel 36 miles east on Mosquito Ridge Rd. and proceed to the campground. The campground is located on the northwest shore of the reservoir and is accessible only by boat or trail. It is approximately one mile from the McGuire parking lot to the campground.

Accessible only by boat or trail. Campground is extremely remote, and there are no services available. "Please be sure to have a full tank of gas before traveling," as stated in the directions.

Weather at Poppy Campground

Current alert: Overgrown as of 5/14/2025

Best Time to Camp at Poppy Campground

Summer is the reliable window here. After late June, the reservoir fills enough for easy boat access, and daytime temperatures settle between 65–80°F. Nights drop to the mid-30s to low-50s even in summer, so bring warm layers. Before late June, water levels may make boat access tricky. The boat-in-only setup keeps crowds light compared to road-accessible Sierra campgrounds.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer is the reliable window; reservoir fills after late June and days are 65–80°F.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Operates on a pack-in, pack-out basis year-round (no services and no trash disposal).

About Poppy Campground

Poppy Campground sits on the northwest shore of French Meadows Reservoir at 5,300 feet in Tahoe National Forest. The 12 tent sites are accessible only by boat or trail. There's no road access. The $18/night fee covers primitive camping with no amenities. You'll need to purify reservoir water for drinking and pack out all trash.

Poppy Campground is a primitive camping area with 12 designated tent sites. It is accessible only by boat or trail.

Weather and SeasonsSummer is the reliable window here. After late June, the reservoir fills enough for easy boat access, and daytime temperatures settle between 65–80°F. Nights drop to the mid-30s to low-50s even in summer, so bring warm layers. Before late June, water levels may make boat access tricky. The boat-in-only setup keeps crowds light compared to road-accessible Sierra campgrounds.

ElevationAt 5,300 feet above sea level, Poppy Campground offers the perfect balance of mountain elevation—high enough to escape the valley heat and enjoy cool, pine-scented breezes, yet accessible enough to avoid severe altitude challenges. This sweet spot in the Sierra Nevada provides stunning vistas and comfortable camping conditions throughout the season.

Natural Features and SceneryConiferous forest surrounds the sites along French Meadows Reservoir's shoreline. The campground sits near the boundary of Granite Chief Wilderness, where granite peaks and alpine terrain define the landscape. At 5,300 feet, you're high enough for cooler nights and mountain views across the water. The forest provides shade, though site-specific details aren't documented.

Geological RegionNestled within the majestic Tahoe National Forest, Poppy Campground sits in a stunning coniferous ecosystem along French Meadows Reservoir's scenic northwest shore. The campground's proximity to the renowned Granite Chief Wilderness places visitors at the doorstep of one of California's most ecologically significant landscapes, where ancient geological forces have sculpted dramatic granite peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and diverse wildlife habitats that tell the story of the Sierra Nevada's formation.

Scenic Viewsnull

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Need help booking Poppy Campground?

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When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Potable water is not available at this site.

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The campground is in close proximity to the Granite Chief Wilderness, offering opportunities for exploring and nature appreciation. However, no specific activities are explicitly mentioned in the authoritative source.

Boating

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Trip Planning Tools

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

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

0.0

3 reviews

Limited Reviews

Poppy Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Review Summaries

No review summaries available for this campground yet.

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Go if

Tent campers who can paddle or hike in and don't mind purifying their own water. Summer is the window: after late June the reservoir fills, temperatures hit the 60s and 70s by day, and the Granite Chief Wilderness boundary is right there for exploration.

Skip if

No road access rules out everyone without a boat or a serious pack-in plan. As of May 2025 the site is overgrown, so conditions may be rough until the Forest Service clears it. No potable water and pack-out trash rules are non-negotiable.

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Coyote Group sits in Tahoe National Forest near French Meadows Reservoir, a mid-elevation campground managed by the Forest Service for group reservations only. The setting offers direct access to granite canyon trails, reservoir swimming, and paddling, with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings at each spacious site. Reviewers praise the clean facilities and natural scenery but note the remote location requires navigating challenging forest roads.

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22830 Foresthill Road, Foresthill, CA, 95631

Ahart Campground sits in mid-elevation forest within Tahoe National Forest near French Meadows Reservoir, operated by the U.S. Forest Service. This small, budget-friendly campground offers primitive tent sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Visitors come for fishing, boating on the reservoir, and hiking, with riverside sites providing extra space and privacy.

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Big Meadows Campground

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Big Meadows Campground sits in mid-elevation forest within Eldorado National Forest, offering boating access and a true off-grid experience. Managed by the Forest Service, this mid-sized campground attracts visitors seeking solitude away from heavily trafficked reservation systems. Spring brings wildflower displays and comfortable daytime temperatures, while the surrounding forest provides opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography of exposed rock strata.

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Campgrounds

Tahoe National Forest

Poppy Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Poppy Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

<p>Poppy Campground is located on the north west shore of French Meadows Reservoir in a coniferous forest. Campground is in close proximity to the Granite Chief Wilderness. Campground is accessible by boat or trail only.</p>