Sightseeing & food
French Meadows
California · Nearby: west of the crest (CA)
French Meadows is in Foresthill, CA, listed on Recreation.gov. It has tent and RV sites.
AMERICAN RIVER RANGER DISTRICT
21 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe11.6 mi to Palisades Tahoestraight-line
Quick facts
| Agency / operator | Not listed |
|---|---|
| Booking | Recreation.gov [Recreation.gov] |
| Max RV / trailer length | Not listed |
| Bear storage | Not listed |
| Season | Not listed |
| Hookups | Not listed |
Sources: Recreation.gov — French Meadows. "Not listed" means no source we use states it.
Your dates (Fri, Oct 23 – Sun, Oct 25): Book online. Reservations online on Recreation.gov — open dates and rates come from the booking site.
Key facts
- Max rig length
- Longest RV site listed: 85 ft (73 of 73 RV sites list a length) Listing
- Hookups & power
- Hookup type not listed for RV sites Listing
- Pets
- Allowed Listing
- Booking
- Reservable on Recreation.gov Listing
- Getting there
- 21 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 11.6 mi to Palisades Tahoe (straight-line, not driving) Listing
- Drinking Water
- Host
- Trash Collection
- Vault Toilets
Why stay here?
- 11.6 mi from Palisades Tahoe (straight-line).
- RV sites listed for rigs up to 85 ft.
- Rated 4.0★ across 124 guest reviews.
Choose a site
Your dates & setup
Checking 2 nights. Tell us what you're staying in to see matching sites and prices.
Site & accommodation options
No recent availability data on Recreation.gov: availability may have changed, so check availability with the provider. Rates are listed rates, not an offer.
Standard Nonelectric
3 sites like thisUp to 6 peopleRVs up to 32 ftNo hookups
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$24/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
Up to 6 peopleRVs up to 40 ftNo hookups
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$24/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
2 sites like thisUp to 6 peopleRVs up to 22 ftNo hookups
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$24/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
Up to 6 peopleRVs up to 67 ftNo hookups
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$24/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
14 sites like thisUp to 6 peopleRVs up to 20 ftNo hookups
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$24/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
Up to 6 peopleRVs up to 64 ftNo hookups
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$24/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
6 sites like thisUp to 6 peopleRVs up to 21 ftNo hookups
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$24/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Standard Nonelectric
2 sites like thisUp to 6 peopleRVs up to 36 ftNo hookups
Check availabilityEnter your dates on Recreation.gov, then choose “Standard Nonelectric”.
$24/night
Continue to Recreation.gov ↗Compare booking options
You book with the provider. Each row shows that provider's lowest open option for your dates, and which provider our main button uses.
Recreation.govMain booking button
No recent availability data — check availability on the provider's site
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Pick your dates again on this provider's site.
Other nearby options
Closest stays by type. Distances are straight-line from French Meadows, not driving.
- Closest public campgroundLewis1.3 mi away (straight-line) · PublicCheck availabilityCheck availability on Recreation.gov ↗
- Closest private full-hookupVillage Camp Truckee20.4 mi away (straight-line) · PrivateAvailable for your dates79 - Economy Pull Through: from $80/nightCheck availability on Hipcamp ↗
- Closest public / first-comeMiddle Meadows4.9 mi away (straight-line) · PublicCheck availabilityCheck availability on Recreation.gov ↗
- Next closestNorthshore Campground (Loon Lake)9.7 mi away (straight-line) · PublicCheck availabilityCheck availability on Recreation.gov ↗
View calendar · night-by-night from Recreation.gov
No recent availability data on Recreation.gov: this grid may be out of date, so check availability with the provider. Showing 40 of 61 sites.
| Site | Fr 23 | Sa 24 | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 014 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 028 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 006 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 035 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 024 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 021 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 015 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 017 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 037 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 032 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 002 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 022 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 033 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 034 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 016 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 025 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 007 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 008 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 010 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 009 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 011 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 023 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 004 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 020 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 039 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 019 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 026 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 018 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 005 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 013 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 027 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 036 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 031 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 012 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 001 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 038 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 030 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 057 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 041 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
| 062 standard nonelectric | – | – | $24 |
✓ available · R reserved · X not available · C closed · W first come, first served · N not yet released
Before you go
CA California rules for campers
- Booking
- California State Parks book on ReserveCalifornia up to 6 months before arrival. Forest Service campgrounds book on Recreation.gov (individual sites up to 6 months ahead, group sites 12). California State Parks Recreation.gov
- Bears
- State park campgrounds: food, drinks, toiletries and scented trash go in the site's metal locker; ice chests may not be left in vehicles; bear-proof coolers must be locked (up to $1,000 fine). National Forest land: Forest Order 19-24-03. California State Parks USDA Forest Service
- Chains
- Caltrans chain controls R-1, R-2 and R-3 apply on CA-89, US-50 and I-80; check Caltrans QuickMap for live status. Caltrans Caltrans QuickMap
Longest RV site listed: 85 ft. Unsure if your rig fits? Check it in the Lake Tahoe Rig Fit tool
French Meadows: questions answered
- What is the maximum RV length at French Meadows?
- Longest RV site listed: 85 ft (73 of 73 RV sites list a length) (per the listing)
- Does French Meadows have RV hookups?
- Hookup type not listed for RV sites (per the listing)
- How do I reserve a site at French Meadows?
- Reservable on Recreation.gov (per the listing)
- Are pets allowed at French Meadows?
- Allowed (per the listing)
Recent guest reviews
A J ★ 5 · Jan 2025Amazing experience here, it wasn't too crowded and lake was easy access.
Becky W ★ 4 · Oct 2024It’s ok. Not bad. The coffee shop is a really nice touch
Tracy V ★ 5 · Aug 2024Exceptionally clean and quiet campground. Nice camp host and staff. Sites well cared for and plenty of space. No cell service makes it the best!
Location
AMERICAN RIVER RANGER DISTRICT
21 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe (straight-line)
11.6 mi to Palisades Tahoe (straight-line)
Open in Google Maps ↗
Policies
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Max stay
- 15 nights
- Pets
- Allowed (per listing)
- Campfires
- Allowed (per listing)
About
French Meadows Campground sits on the south shore of French Meadows Reservoir within Tahoe National Forest, roughly 40 miles from the town of Foresthill. The site is set in a pine and fir stand where summer days can run warm and evenings cool, and it is operated and maintained by Tahoe National Forest. There are 68 campsites total, and each is configured to accommodate both tents and RVs; sites come with a picnic table, fire ring and a metal food locker, and a few sites are wheelchair accessible. Roads and parking spurs throughout the campground are paved; vault and flush toilets and drinking …
Amenities
Drinking WaterHostTrash CollectionVault Toilets
Nearby activities
HikingFishingCampingBoatingBikingSwimmingPhotographyPaddlingCanoeingAuto Touring
At a glance: all 15 facts with sources
At a glance
Official facts link to their source; “Listing” facts come from the Recreation.gov listing. Anything we can't source says so.
- Max rig length
- Listing Longest RV site listed: 85 ft (73 of 73 RV sites list a length)
- Hookups & power
- Listing Hookup type not listed for RV sites
- Pull-through / back-in
- Listing 5 pull-through, 70 back-in
- Road & site access
- Listing 75 paved site driveways
- Pets
- Listing Allowed
- Cell signal
- Listing Visitor-reported signal on Recreation.gov (higher is better): Verizon 0 (42 reports), AT&T 0 (33 reports)
- Water
- Listing Drinking water listed
- Shade
- Listing 75 of 75 sites that report shade are listed as shaded
- Booking
- Listing Reservable on Recreation.gov
- Price
- Listing Lowest listed rate $24/night (live price once you pick dates)
- Stay limits
- Listing 15 nights max
- Getting there
- Listing 21 mi from the middle of Lake Tahoe · 11.6 mi to Palisades Tahoe (straight-line, not driving)
- Generators · Quiet hours · Starlink / satellite
- Not listed — check with campground
Nearby parks (straight-line): Emerald Bay 20.3 mi · Sand Harbor 27.1 mi
Check availability
Build around it
Things to do near Palisades Tahoe
No rig? Fly & Drive
RV rentals for this stay
Picks are 85 ft or shorter — the longest RV site listed here. Fly into Reno (~33 mi, ~55 min to Lake Tahoe, approx.) or rent locally.
Pick up near RNOSpacious & Clean 2014 RV:4 TVS & 2 SLIDE OUTS: Sleeps 8
SPARKS, NV · 4 mi from RNO airport (straight-line)
Drivable — no tow vehicleDelivery up to 75 miPets OK
Availability not connected · to estimate
from $210/nightvia RVRentals.com
Pick up near RNO2022 Minnie Winnie 22M
Sparks, NV · 8 mi from RNO airport (straight-line)
Drivable — no tow vehicleDelivery up to 40 miPets OK
Availability not connected · to estimate
from $217/nightvia RVRentals.com
Delivers to Lake TahoeTahoe Campervan- Ram Promaster High Roof/Long Wheelbase
Truckee, CA
Delivery up to 50 miPets OK
to see if it's open
from $179/nightvia Outdoorsy
Compare French Meadows with alternatives
Public-agency campground
vs Lewis
RVs to 85 ft vs 50 ft
Read comparison →Public-agency campground
vs Middle Meadows
RVs to 85 ft vs 25 ft · listed from $24 vs $13/night
Read comparison →Public-agency campground
vs Northshore Campground (Loon Lake)
RVs to 85 ft vs 50 ft · listed from $24 vs $36/night
Read comparison →Where French Meadows fits
- By rig & style
- Tent camping at Lake Tahoe
- Nearest alternatives
- Silver Creek-Truckee (14.1 mi) · Kaspian Campground (14.2 mi) · William Kent Campground (14.5 mi)
Other stays nearby
Lewis
Tent sites · RV sites
Check availability
Rates & availability from Recreation.gov · Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Middle Meadows
Tent sites · RV sites
Check availability
Rates & availability from Recreation.gov · Continue to Recreation.gov ↗
Northshore Campground (Loon Lake)
Tent sites · RV sites
Check availability
Rates & availability from Recreation.gov · Continue to Recreation.gov ↗