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Tahoe/French Meadows
Overview
French Meadows Reservoir offers a secluded and deeply peaceful retreat located within the heart of the Tahoe National Forest. This area is widely celebrated for its pristine alpine waters and dense stands of pine and fir, providing a genuine escape for RVers who are looking to disconnect from the modern world. Unlike developed luxury resorts, this destination highlights the raw, natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the quiet atmosphere of the high country. It is a place where the sounds of the forest replace the noise of the city, offering a traditional camping experience that remains true to its wilderness roots.
Location & Surroundings
Situated approximately 36 miles east of Foresthill, the journey to the park via Mosquito Ridge Road is a scenic adventure through winding mountain passes and steep canyons. The campground sits at an elevation of over 5,200 feet, surrounded by the vast Granite Chief Wilderness. Visitors will find themselves nestled among towering conifers with easy access to the shores of the expansive French Meadows Reservoir. The surrounding landscape is characterized by rugged granite outcroppings and lush meadows that bloom with wildflowers during the summer months.
Amenities & Park Features
The facilities at this location focus on providing a rustic and authentic outdoor experience. While there are no electrical or sewer hookups, the park provides paved parking spurs suitable for many RVs and travel trailers. Essential features include vault toilets, potable water stations, and sturdy picnic tables at each site. To ensure safety in this active wildlife corridor, each campsite is equipped with a bear-proof food locker and a heavy-duty fire ring. These amenities are designed to support self-contained travelers who enjoy a more primitive style of living while staying close to nature.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor recreation is the primary draw for this remote region of Northern California. The reservoir is a premier destination for trout fishing and boating, with multiple ramps available for launching small vessels. Hikers can explore a variety of trails that lead into the rugged backcountry or follow the scenic shoreline for miles. For those who enjoy water sports, the calm morning conditions are perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding across the glassy surface of the lake, offering unique views of the surrounding peaks from the water.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is absolutely ideal for travelers who prefer boondocking and dry camping over standard resort amenities. It is a perfect fit for nature photographers, avid anglers, and families who want to experience the true California wilderness without the common distractions of cell service or modern technology. If you value deep solitude and star-gazing, this remote Foresthill location offers one of the most peaceful settings in the region for those prepared for a self-sufficient stay.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Casey Monahan
Great place to get away from it all. It’s pretty remote so make sure you bring everything you need. Great scene. Party/quite/ tent/rv
Daniel Abrams
Campsite 56, beautiful spot went this weekend with some buddies and honestly maybe 3 couples would be max for this site. bear bins and table as well as fire pit included. Bathrooms are closed so they have porta potties which are freshly stocked with rolls of toilet paper but I'd bring some just in case and some wet wipes. water is provided but they don't want you to wash anything in it for sanitary reasons. trash cans are cleaned almost every hour during the day. The beach is filled with rocks and is super hot so id HIGHLY recommend a tarp or tent and bring water with you and put tons of sunscreen especially during summer months. This is not a spot for people who want seclusion and there's NO reception anywhere. pre download your maps cause driving out we had to off-road low-key cause part of mosquito rd driving in was closed due to fire maintenance. would visit again loved this spot, beautiful views
Kate Bila
Amazing place with the wildlife and nature. We enjoyed the sunrises and sunsets there. Clean, quiet and peaceful. One toilet was closed, so it was a little surprise, but still not bad. No cell service at all - thing that I liked the most. Every spot has a fire pit, food locker and picnic tables. We will come back but only after they open the main road, I wouldn’t want take a risk again and have 1 hour drive through the detour. If you decide to go, make sure that you have all necessary tools for fixing the flat tire. Put your thumbs up if my review comes helpful for you.
Keily Guzman
Very pretty lake, clean campsites, very close to the lake, friendly host, no light in bathroom (clean, but after people started to arrive it was getting more dirty), it’s quiet. The only thing that we didn’t like was the drive, very bumpy and dangerous. We asked around for another route before leaving, we found a route that was much much better. Overall liked it but not sure if we will be back. But definitely nice to visit once.
Chad Chapman
This campground is one of, if not the best national forest campground that I've ever been to. The weekend campers were a little more rowdy that we would've liked, but since we were camping there mostly during the weekdays during our week long trip, it was honestly one of the best experiences I've had at one of these campgrounds. The amenities and camp host were fantastic! The camp hosts were really accommodating and friendly. You simply can't beat how wonderful the sites were and the proximity to the lake. My father-in-law booked it because of past experiences with his grandfather, and I will be coming here with many more experiencea with my daughter!