In the nation’s top 20 National Forests for recreation, the Tahoe Forest provides outdoor activities year round.
During spring, summer, or fall, both the National Forest and the California State Parks offer hiking, camping, boating, horseback-riding, hunting, fishing or sightseeing. In the winter months, the High Sierra terrain accommodates many alpine and Nordic skiers, along with snowmobile and snow play enthusiasts.
Camping opportunities in a variety of settings are abundant – from high country backpacking to lake or riverside campgrounds & RV parks. Camping backpacker-style with no constructed facilities, as in the Granite Chief Wilderness area, allows one to really “get away from it all” and explore the varieties of flora and fauna in our National Forest. For those who need to stay a little closer to home, camping in one of the designated campgrounds with assorted facilities such as bathrooms, running water, fire pits, picnic tables and bear-resistant storage lockers is a great option.
There are also boat-in campgrounds, such as Lake Clementine Boat-In Campground in the Auburn State Recreation Area. Some are equipped as developed campgrounds, and others in the wilderness style. Some undeveloped areas accommodate overnight equestrian use, and all campgrounds welcome pets that are kept quiet and under control. Most developed campgrounds are now equipped for wheelchair accessibility. All sites are appropriate for tent camping and a good number can also accommodate RV’s. The Tahoe National Forest is in the process of installing bear-resistant lockers at all the most popular campsites.
Day use areas, often adjacent to campgrounds, offer picnic sites, and in some locations, interpretive and nature trails or historical sites.
For more detailed information on specific camping sites, or on camping in general, please visit our Campgrounds listed below (for specific RV parks, check under "Places to Stay."): (please bear with us as we update our information)
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Beals Point Campground
Folsom-Auburn Road
Folsom, CA
916 988-0205
Located just north of Folsom Dam, Beal's Point has 69 family campsites that will accommodate trailers and motor homes up to 31 feet long. Hookups are not provided in individual campsites, but there is a trailer dump station; Piped drinking water and wheelchair accessible rest rooms with showers are available.
Peninsula Campground
Rattlesnake Bar Road
Pilot Hill, CA
916 988-0205
This secluded campground is located near the end of the peninsula between the north and south forks of the American River, on Folsom Lake. You can reach the area by boat or you can drive in ten miles from the little town of Pilot Hill on Highway 49 to Rattlesnake Bar Road. The campground has 100 family campsites that will accommodate trailers up to 18 feet in length and motor homes up to 24 feet. Hookups are not provided at the individual campsites, but there is a sanitary dump station. Flush toilets and piped drinking water are available. Tables/benches, stoves/BBQs. There are two launch ramps and a day-use area near the campground. You can also camp ashore with your boat at Peninsula campground in a designated campsite. You will be required to beach the bow of your boat and anchor off the stern. A secure tie-up is essential as the wind often rises during the night.
Lincoln & Wheatland Area
Camp Far West - South Shore Camp Far West - North Shore
9300 Mc Courtney Road 8176 Camp Far West Road
Lincoln, CA Wheatland, CA
916 408-0537 530 633-0803
Camp Far West Lake is a 2,002 surface-acre lake with 29 miles of shoreline, rolling hills and many oak trees. The South Shore in Lincoln is open mid-May til September and the North Shore in Wheatland is open year-round. Facilities include 2 launch ramps, 2 mini marts, and campsites with picnic tables, barbeques and full hook-ups along with a lot of open area campsites. Piped drinking water and wheelchair accessible restrooms and some vault toilets. Activities include swimming, fishing, boating, water skiing, jetskiing, trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding.
Loomis Area
Loomis RV Park
3945 Taylor Road
Loomis, CA
916 652-6737
79 sites, full hookups, 39 pull-thrus, wireless internet access at site, dump station, laundry, groceries, pets allowed; Activities include recreation room, swimming pool, nearby golf, playground, horseshoes; open year 'round. I-80 to Sierra College Blvd (exit 109), left on Sierra College Blvd, right on Taylor Rd.
Auburn State Recreation Area
Lake Clementine Boat-In-Camps
Lake Clementine Road
Auburn, CA
530 885-4527
Reservations: 1-800-444-7275
Pack-It-In – Pack-It-Out. From Auburn take Foresthill Rd to Lake Clementine Rd (lt) to the Lake. 20 primitive boat-in campsites with pit toilets; no drinking water is available. No dogs. Reservations Required.
Ruck-A-Chucky Bar Campground
Off Drivers Flat Road
Auburn, CA
530 885-4527
Pack-It-In – Pack-It-Out. From Auburn, take Foresthill Rd to Drivers Flat Rd (rt) to American River. 5 designated primitive sites on the Placer County side of the Middle Fork of the American River. Chemical toilets, no drinking water available, no reservations.
Mineral Bar Campground
Iowa Hill Road
Colfax, CA
530 885-4527
Pack-It-In – Pack-It-Out. From I-80 take Canyon Way at Placer Hills exit then take the Iowa Hill Rd to the North Fork of the American River. 17 designated sites; tables, firepits, toilets, no drinking water is available. No reservations.
American River Permit Camping
530 885-4527
Pack-It-In – Pack-It-Out. Permit Required. Hike in only. Permits must be obtained from Auburn State Recreation Area Office on Hwy 49 (El Dorado St) in the American River Canyon.
Rollins Lake - Colfax
Orchard Springs Resort Campground
Orchard Springs Road
Chicago Park
530 346-2212
Off I-80, at Colfax, Take Highway 174 to Chicago Park and Orchard Springs Rd. Full service campground with 91 sites. RV & tent sites; general store, marina, boat launch; fees charged. Reservations advised.
Long Ravine Resort
26909 Rollins Lake Road
Colfax, CA
530 346-6166
From I-80 take Colfax exit to Highway 174; then to Rollins Lake Rd. El 2100'. 102 sites including some RV/trailer sites with water and power. Store, boat launch, marina, restaurant, showers, cump station. Fees charged. Reservations advised.
Greenhorn Park Campground
Greenhorn Road
Grass Valley, CA
530 272-6100
Take Highway 174 to Chicago Park and Orchard Springs Rd. Full service campground with 91 sites. General store, marina, boat launch. Fees charged. Reservations advised.
Peninsula Camping & Boating Resort
21597 You Bet Road
Grass Valley, CA
530 477-9413
Highway 174 to You Bet Road exit, travel 8 miles to camp. 78 campsites; dump station, store, marina, and boat rentals; camping cabins available, day use areas and family activities. Open mid-April thru mid Sept (call first).
Camping Near Colfax
Bear River Park Campground
2500 Campground Road
Colfax, CA
530 886-4901
25 sites, no hookups, no drinking water, tenting, vault toilets; Activities include river swimming, hiking, fishing; pets allowed; no reservations. Take I-80 to Canyon Way (exit 133); left at Canyon Way, left toward & onto S. Auburn St, take 1st rt onto Placer Hills Rd, 3rd rt onto Plumtree Rd, stay left.
Dutch Flat RV Resort
55 Canyon Creek Road
Dutch Flat/Gold Run, CA
530 389-8924
62 sites, 51 full hook-ups, 11 W&E, dump station, pets allowed. Activities include recreation hall, swimming pool; Open year 'round. From Jct of I-80 & Dutch Flat Rd (Exit 145), S 100 ft on Canyon Creek Rd, thru gas station parking lot to entrance.
Camping Further Up into the Sierras
Baxter RV Campground
Off Hwy-80 at Baxter Overcrossing
Baxter, CA
530 389-2267
Off I-80 at Baxter overcrossing. El 4000' 88 camp and trailer sites; potable water, electricity, tables/benches, stoves/BBQ; restrooms, refuse conatiners, dump station, showers; boating, hiking, fishing. Open April 1 thru Nov 1; Fees charged; Reservations advised.
Cisco Grove Campground & RV Park
Hampshire Rocks Road (Cisco Grove Exit off Hwy 80)
Cisco Grove, CA
530 426-1600
Lake Valley Reservoir
Lodgepole Campground
Six Mile Valley Road
Yuba Gap, CA
916 386-5164
Operated by PG&E Recreation, 35 camp units, fishing, boating w/ 15mph speed limit, boat ramp, handicapped accessible sites
Emigrant Gap
North Fork Campground
Texas Hill Road
Emigrant Gap. CA
530 470-8931
Tunnel Mills Group
Texas Hill Road
Emigrant Cap, CA
530 470-8931
Big Reservoir
Morningstar Lake Resort Campground
Foresthill Divide Road
Foresthill, CA
530 367-2129
Sugar Pine Reservoir
Forbes Creek Group Campground
Sugar Pine Road
Foresthill, CA
877-444-6777
Shirttail Creek Campground
Sugar Pine Road
Foresthill, CA
877-444-6777
Giant Gap Campground
Sugar Pine Road
Foresthill, CA
877-444-6777
Foresthill Area / French Meadows Reservoir
French Meadows Reservoir Area: Located 36 miles east of Foresthill by way of Mosquito Ridge Road 96. This Recreation Area is under concession, with 5 campgrounds, 2 group campgrounds, and 2 day-use picnic sites operated by a private company. Activities include fishing, swimming, boating, camping, group camping, picnicking, hiking, and viewing scenery. The entire area is within a State Game Refuge and no firearms are permitted. Overnight camping and fires are allowed only in developed sites. Supplies are available in Foresthill. Normal use season in June through October.
Ahart Campground
Mosquito Ridge Road 96
Foresthill, CA
Located on the Middle Fork of the American River, one mile above French Meadows Reservoir on mosquito Ridge Road 96. Elevation: 5,300'. 12 Campsites; Vault Toilets; River water source (PURIFY BEFORE DRINKING).
Lewis Campground
Mosquito Ridge Road 96
Foresthill, CA
877 444-6777
Located on the north shore of French Meadows Reservoir. Elev: 5,300'. 40 campsites; piped water; flush toilets; concrete boat launching ramp nearby.
Poppy Boat/Hike-In Campground
Walk-in and Boat-in
Mosquito Ridge Road 96
Foresthill, CA
Located on the northwest shore of French Meadows Reservoir. Accessible by boat or trail only. Approximately one mile walking distance from McGuire parking lot. Elev. 5,300'. 12 campsites; vault toilets; reservoir water source (PURIFY BEFORE DRINKING); Pack-in/pack-out (no garbage receptacle).
Gates Group Campground
Mosquito Ridge Road 96
Foresthill, CA
Available by Reservation Only: 877 444-6777 or www.reserveUSA.com
Located on the east side of French Meadows Reservoir. Elev. 5,300'. Two 25-person campsites; One 75-person site; Campfire circle; Piped water; Vault toilets; Central parking area.
Coyote Group Campground
Mosquito Ridge Road 96
Foresthill, CA
Available by Reservation Only: 877 444-6777 or www.reserveUSA.com
Located on the northeast shore of French Meadows Reservoir. Elev. 5,300'. Three 25-person campsites; One 50-person site; Campfire circle; Piped water; Vault & flush toilets; Central parking area.
French Meadows Campground
Mosquito Ridge Road 96
Foresthill, CA
877 444-6777
Located on teh south shore of French Meadows Reservoir. Elev. 5,300'. 75 campsites; Piped water; Flush toilets; Concrete boat launching ramp nearby.
Talbot Campground
Mosquito Ridge Road 96
Foresthill, CA
530 367-2224
Located on the Middle Fork of the American River, 5 miles above French Meadows Reservoir. Elev. 5,600'. 5 campsites; Vault toilets; River water (PURIFY BEFORE DRINKING); Near trailhead to the Granite chief area.
Robinson Flat Campground
Foresthill Road
Foresthill, CA
530 367-2224
Georgetown & Hell Hole Reservoir Areas
Upper Hell Hole Walk/Boat In Campground
Eleven Pines Road
Georgetown, CA
530 333-4312
Big Meadows Campground
Eleven Pines Road
Georgetown, CA
530 333-4312
Dru Barner Campground
Forest Road 13N58
Georgetown, CA
530 333-4312
Hell Hole Campground
Eleven Pines Road
Georgetown, CA
530 333-4312
Donner Summit/Tahoe
Kaspian Recreation Campground
Hwy 89
Tahoe City, CA
877 444-6777
Sandy Beach Resort Campground
6873 No. Lake Blvd.
Tahoe Vista, CA
530 546-7682
William Kent Campground
Hwy 89
Tahoe City, CA
530 583-3642
Lake Forest Boat Ramp & Campground
2390 Lake Forest Road
Tahoe City, CA
800 444-7275
Martis Creek Campground
Hwy 267
Truckee, CA
530 587-8113
Donner Memorial State Park Campground
Hwy-80/Donner Lake
Truckee, CA
530 582-7892
Tahoe State Recreation Campground
Hwy 28
Tahoe City, CA
530 583-3074