I'm not big on camping, but I'll do it. The campgrounds is off the beaten path. We had to take a windy road to get there. Our group site had plenty of trees that provided shade. There were no showers at this location and only vault toilets, which I was weary of. Even so, it wasn't too bad as we were there only two nights. It got quite dark at night, especially since there was a fire restriction- no campfire. There aren't any hiking trails that I know of, but there is a reservoir close by if you want to swim or do other water activities. Be aware there is very limited cell phone coverage and there are no stores close by. read more

First time camping trip this past weekend (June) and we selected this campground based on the positive reviews and it's location near a lake. We brought jet skis and rafts and did not get to use them. Our first night went smoothly, not too chilly and our campsite was clean and dry and we loved our fire pit. However, the weather changed in the early morning the following day and it proceeded to pour down the rest of the weekend. It was 50 degrees or less with wind and we were trying to get on the lake, it's also important to note that there is a bit of a current, so visitors should be careful, especially with children. Our camp host Michael was friendly overall and helpful when we ran out of lighter fluid. I can not stress this enough; create a checklist and pack accordingly!!! There is no store except back in Foresthill, an hour and a half drive up the windy roads. Double up on the essentials like fire wood, lighter fluid, gas for coals, and hand sanitizer! I found it odd that there were some bathrooms with sinks and others without. Also, there are one toilet bathrooms and bathrooms with 2 stalls, but you have to look all over for them. I was grateful we had no wildlife run ins except for the occasional raccoon and giant spider. It's a very remote and quiet campground, I loved that we had no reception because it's forced our group to be present and enjoy the wilderness. I don't know if I would return to this campground because of the bathrooms and it's distance on windy narrow roads, but it was an experience I am glad I had! read more

French Meadows Campground - Mosquito ridge Rd. - Hiking Near Me - Foresthill, California

Great place to camp. Go here every year, a place to re center my life and be in nature with no cell service.

I had a great time swimming in this lake during the heat wave of this year's 4th of July weekend. It's a beautiful place in the Tahoe National Forest. I love the lake is cold and remote. It is the highlight of this campground (and why I highly rate this place). That being said, it is very bare-bones services here. I recommend bringing your water & a pair of water shoes. There are no showers, no bathroom lighting, water is scarce (and the faucet closest to my campsite that I used had opaque white color). There is no signal, and you cannot make an easy stop somewhere to pick up what you forgot, especially as you leave Georgetown (or Foresthill). There are no trails adjacent (within walking distance) to the campgrounds. Lastly, you might have to deal with mosquitoes even if your campsite is one of the furthest from the lake. It does take a while to get here (about 1.5 hours after Georgetown, the last place with a gas station on the way there.) You also need to make sure you have the right directions (the address on Yelp is incorrect, and with a road closure lasting this year, you need to take the Eleven Pines route past Georgetown). Also, you cannot continue onto the Lake Tahoe area from here, at least as easily or quickly as one would imagine. The physical distance is much different from what the roadways would allow, but that's how remote this place is! Pros and cons. read more

Sometimes you need to take the road less traveled. And occasionally you go a little farther.. switch to four wheel drive and crawl up a fire service path that takes you up a mountain to a cliff with the best view. Those are my kind of roads. If you like hiking, kayaking, camping and generally outdoor everything like I do, visit French Meadows Reservoir and campground. It's about 35 miles east of Foresthill. There's no official address, so use the GPS coordinates below. Camping season is May to October. Visit the website I linked when I created the page...it links you to Tahoe Forest Service's page with more details, including any postponements due to snow. The reservoir has a boat launch as well. It's more of a kayak, canoe, and fishing kind of lake so leave your wakeboards and speed boats at home. Campgrounds are sizeable and there are a ton of them. Some are spaced out well, others not so much. Most have adequate shade. No bear lockers unfortunately, so be prepared. Unless it's 4th of July weekend you can roll in here without a reservation and always get a good spot like I do. read more

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My family and I just got back from 5 days of amazing views, lots of laughter, peaceful moments, clean air, birds chirping and refreshing clean water to swim in. We stayed in campsite 36 which was perfectly situated near the restrooms and potable spring water. The walk down to the water directly from our campsite was a little steep but doable. Some of the reviews talk about a grouchy camp host and dirty bathrooms and garbages. We did NOT experience this at all. The only thing that was dirty were the few lazy people who have no class and leave their TP on the floor of the bathroom. Teach your kids etiquette people. The camp host cruises by, waves hello, is seen emptying trash and replacing TP and is available if you need him and let's you be! Sign me up again. The fact that this campground is a little more challenging to get to makes it that much better. Less noise, less annoying craziness and lots of much needed R&R. Everyone was friendly , flying American flags, respected others space and just enjoying their time. The days were warm but all the beautiful trees provide lots of shade and the water is brisk at first but so comfortable and refreshing once you take the plunge. I'll be leaving lots of tips with pictures for all the little important details. Thanks French Meadows we had a great time and will be back again. read more

Took a trip with the family , had a great time , stayed at site 37 right across from the bathrooms . They did say that they were out of order but opened back up the next day. Site 37 is big and is on a slant has a steep path right down to the water ! It's full of rocks but is worth it and is beautiful! Very quiet and peaceful , in the middle of the night I would say the temperature got down to low 50s so it was very cold .. other than that the weather was perfect during the day! Also , no showers at this campsite . read more

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This campsite is terrible. So many rules that they don't tell you about until something happens. The lake was super nice and the campground was nice but all these random rules ruined the experience. The park ranger Michael is very 2 faced and they wanted to kick us out for things we didn't do. We left after one night but they would've eventually kicked us out after one night. Clearly, they do not want younger people there and do not care about our crowd. read more

This review is not intended for the Campground itself. The camping ground is pretty... However, we've encounter a serious issue with regard to COMMUNICATION within the management and the Camp Host. We did a reservation for overnight (9/3-9/4) ahead of time for a campsite that is close to the water #49 (personal preference). We received the Email Confirmation and Acknowledgment of our reservation and are excited. But only to find out that the Campground Host had let a Walk-in Campers use that campsite #49 because he says that the list of reservations given to him that day says that #49 has No Reservation. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPENED! We drove for 3hours, this is very frustrating! read more

Great campground. Nice and remote. Camp Hosts are pretty cool, they love to talk. Flush toilets working this year. Drinking water available...but, bring your own anyway, it's a slow spring fed water tank. Firewood is an on and off situation. Bring your own, pick it up at the Wortons Market in Foresthill. Foresthill is the LAST SERVICES!!! No services at French Meadows, Lewis or Ahart campgrounds. There is an odd fella that has been camping at site #13, he's called "Trash Master". Seems nice enough, he comes and goes as artistic mood strikes him. He makes everything out out of trash...tent, sleeping bag, hat, clothes, chairs, etc. If you can catch him while he's there he can make you some type of souvenir. Oh, don't worry either, he's clean and well mannered. Some say he's of the ole Rockefeller line. Please as good campers keep trash out of the fire pits and off the ground, dogs on a leash, pick up your dogs poop. Use smaller garbage bags so they'll fit in the trash cans too. This is advice I was given by the Camp Hosts as I sat and had coffee with them one morning. read more

Great place to camp. The lake is small but beautiful. The bathrooms are clean with flush toilets and running water. Spigots available throughout. Water accessible from most water view campsites. Very well kept and clean made my experience here great. From swimming, to kayaking, and fishing, this place was great. Only downfall, the drive from Foresthill rd, was a mere 35 miles. But let me forewarn you, narrow and twisty was this road, (Mosquito rd), with steep exposure. Average speeds were between 25-40 mph making the drive long. Not for those who easily get car sick. (Dramamine) Otherwise, i would give this place 5 stars. read more

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This place is really beautiful. I stayed here for two nights to have a little getaway. The campground is so close to the water , just a short walk away. I don't particularly like how close the campsites are but I wouldn't let that stop me from coming back. There's some really beautiful trails in the surrounding area and views on the drive up the mountain are breathtaking. read more

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This is a wonderful campsite. The camp host at the Lewis campground (Meriwether Blume) was delightful and amazingly helpful. I definitely look forward to coming back to this site!! read more

We were here in August. Slightly long to get to on the windy roads at night time, but during the day the drive back wasn't bad. Loved the water access, and water was perfect temperature for swimming for our toddlers even. Great amenities (fire ring, table, bear box). Water pumps were good in the locations where water was present, but due to lower water levels, the pumps on the higher grounds had no water; had to walk to the lowest pumps (which had water, all but the last day when a big RV connected to it, and filled up the entire tank, leaving zero water for tents). Thought that was inconsiderate, and should not be allowed during drought season. Not sure if rangers can prevent that or ask RVs (who are more mobile than tents) to fill up tanks at neighboring campgrounds. Also we arrived late on Friday, so went to buy wood on Saturday morning (around 8 am). No firewood available for purchase left. If we knew that, we would have brought and purchased own wood at a grocery store (nearest town an hour away). However, we know most campgrounds don't allow outside wood, not to contaminate with non-native bugs, etc. Thankfully, there were enough dry logs in the forest nearby that we could scavenge to burn. Overall, great location, with great swimming, but some things could be improved with better facilities management. read more

French Meadows Campground - Hiking Near Me - Foresthill, California

The drive there is a very long 34 miles from forest hill . The roads are not safe at all . There were 3 different parts that had been blocked off sink holes . That is a long drop off the cliff . The campground itself is very spacious. There was no showers bit bathrooms . I would much rather go somewhere else to avoid the drive . Most campgrounds in the sierras look similar . No cell service at all . read more

French Meadows Campground - This is the reservoir. Very beautiful - Hiking Near Me - Foresthill, California

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If only I could give no stars... The camp host is seriously grumpy and does not have his priorities straight. The noise in the campground is off the hook. You pay for water and a shower but neither are available. The WORST bathrooms ever and I mean ever !!!!! The smell is horrendous. The Forest service employees look life special snowflakes that might melt if they do any work, they put in very little effort and are less than enthusiastic about their job of cleaning up the campground spaces. Bottom line LOUD and dirty! read more

Well I guess I'm going to be the first one to leave a bad review, I have been to many campgrounds in this area, growing up near this area. When we first arrived it was okay but a couple hours later things changed, we were yelled at by the camp host for parking off the pavement, didn't see any signs for that, then a group of people arrived later in the evening with 3 SUV'S and about 15 people super loud, playing loud music, camp host said nothing to them. Then apparently the " drinking water" stopped working, shower's were closed due to "plumbing issues" and we were still charged full price. The next morning when the loud group next to us left, they filled the trash bin with air mattresses and tons of recycling materials, the recycle bin was literally next to it, they left tons of trash on the ground and the camp host said nothing to them. Maybe we just had a bad experience but it was dirty, no water and the camp host was rude to us, so we will probably not be going back. read more

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First time at French Meadows and we will be back! We reserved site #18 & #19 for a group of 10 of us. Lots of shade. Flush toilets. Bear box on the sites which was great. Hosts provided free fire wood and asked for any donation. Site 18 is a disabled accessible site so it's nice and flat. Great site but table is completely in the sun. Space is a little smaller than the other one. Site 19 has a path straight down to the lake! Lots of shade and space for multiple tents. By far the best of the two sites we stayed on. Woke up with a view of the lake. We had bears come to the campsites every night. One raided our campsite the first night. Our fault, we left an ice chest out filled with beer soda and juice. Loved the orange juice lol Other than that they pretty much left us alone. The lake was perfect! We took the kayak out on the water. read more

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Amazing camping spot. Plenty of trees. Water not too far either. Full toilets and sinks no shower though. Highly recommended. It's quiet and peaceful. read more

this place is cool w fresh air but be warn.. high bear warning at 2am-ish... bathroom & faucets broken (portapotty). read more

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Me and my girlfriend just went to this campground for our third anniversary, our first time camping alone together. We arrived and set up camp, no problems. We were honestly enjoying ourselves. But my 1 star comes from the fact that, that night we had someone creeping around our campsite at around 11 PM when I was in the restroom for my nightly hygiene and my girlfriend was all alone. After I came back she informed me that she heard footsteps and shined her light in the direction and it they stopped. When she put her light down the footsteps continued, sonibpulled out my phone and used the flashlight. I couldn't see anything, but as soon as I found their general direction I called them out and started walking towards them, and they started to run deeper into the forest. It also explained a lot of weird things happening for the 30 minutes prior (brand new lights turning off, music volume changing, stuff missing, etc.) Now I've been camping plenty growing up and know from personal encounters that bears will not run off like that even if you shine a light at them and call them out. They dont care about your words. Nor will they run with the sound of HUMAN footsteps. Anyway, we left that night and went home. We didnt even stay one night so we requested a refund, letting them know the whole situation. Guess they thought a potential killer or rapist using their campgrounds for prey wasnt a good enough reason. So go ahead and camp here if you're okay with people creeping on you and the campsite not giving two shits about it! read more

Loved this campsite. I went for my birthday and want to go back for sure. There is no cellphone reception for about 45 minutes, it has flushing toilets but no showers, there are campsites right along the lake read more

Nice campground. Close to the lake. But the lake does not have any beaches. It's a long way to drive for a lake that's hard to enjoy. Beautiful drive, nice campgrounds, disappointing lake. read more

First of all DO NOT FOLLOW GOOGLE MAPS directions here!! We and several others did and it takes you down a dirt road (called Robinson Flat) that even AWDs were bottoming out on. We had to turn around and go back to foresthill. Follow the directions on the website - get to Foresthill, turn right on mosquito Ridge Road. It will save you a 3 hr detour!! Once we finally arrived the site was great, plenty of room, wildness hikes nearby and friendly camp hosts. We had a great time. Only pain were the bees/hornets which were swarming. Be prepared to take a net or tent for the picnic table. Beautiful setting although shaded and cold at night but each site has a fire pit with grill. Enjoy! read more

I spent the nights of July 28th 29th and 30th 2016 at this place camping. Nothing could make me go back there to Camp again ever. We were visited by bears every night and the terror escalated nightly. Had I not been with my new daughter-in-law there's no way in the world I would have stayed there after the first night. The first night the bear roamed the sight and someone screamed help! The second night he tried to get into a larger steel bear box were you lock up your food. Someone was screaming that night too. The Third night the bear came into the camp site and tore the steel garbage box and it's concrete base clear out of the ground. Someone kept hollering bare! And car alarms kept going off. We found out the next am. That at least one vehicle had been thrashed by a bear the week before .There were meat be so bad that they swarmed you constantly. You couldn't eat without being swarmed by them you couldn't light the campfire without them swarming you! Several of us horse tongue some multiple times. All and all it was a miserable miserable experience and then on the last morning we were there the Camp host informed us that there had been ongoing bear activity nightly for at least a week and a half tearing up people's cars terrorizing people don't take your family there!!! read more