Activities
AUTO TOURING, BIKING, BOATING, FISHING, HIKING, HORSEBACK RIDING, HUNTING, OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE, PICNICKING, WILDLIFE VIEWING, SWIMMING, HORSE CAMPING
The Tahoe National Forest is a year-round playground. So come for a visit, relax and rejuvenate with our mountain air!
With breathtaking mountain peaks, lush meadows filled with wildflowers, historic mining towns, destination vacation spots at Goodyears Bar, Downieville, Sierra City, Truckee, Yuba River, the Lakes Basin Area and the Jackson Meadows Region, the Tahoe National Forest is one of the most popular recreation forests in the US.
Tahoe Camping Reservations
Reserve your campsite at these camping areas:
BERGER >> Camping Area
Berger Campground is located in the Packer Lake area near Packer Creek and the Sierra Buttes, north of the Yuba River. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, equestrian use, hunting, fishing, canoeing and OHV use. This campground is operated and maintained by Forest Service staff.
BIG BEND GROUP (YUBA RIVER) >> Camping Area
Big Bend Group Campground is located 19 miles west of Truckee, California in the Tahoe National Forest at an elevation of 5,700 feet. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing and hiking opportunities, as well as its historic significance along the California Emigrant Trail. This campground is operated and maintained by Forest Service staff.
BOCA CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
Boca Campground is located on a plateau above the shores of beautiful Boca Reservoir, 15 minutes northeast of Truckee, California. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, swimming, and fishing opportunities. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
BOCA REST CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
Boca Rest Campground is located along the shores of Boca Reservoir, 20 minutes from Truckee, California. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, swimming, fishing and abundant hiking opportunities. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
BOCA SPRING >> Camping Area
Boca Spring Campground is located approximately one-mile east of Boca Reservoir, 20 minutes from Truckee, California. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, swimming, fishing and abundant trail opportunities. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
BOYINGTON MILL >> Camping Area
Boyington Mill Campground is located along the Little Truckee River, just 20 minutes from Truckee. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, abundant hiking opportunities and off-road trails. Stampede and Boca reservoirs are nearby for boating and swimming. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
CAL-IDA >> Camping Area
Cal-Ida Campground is located on Highway 49, across the road from the North Yuba River and 13 miles from Downieville. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, fishing, biking and enjoying the cool waters of the North Yuba River. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
CALPINE LOOKOUT >> Camping Area
Calpine is a forest fire lookout tower that was constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and is one of three remaining examples of the enclosed windmill-style lookout in California. The lookout was actively used every summer until 1975. It is a three-story structure with external stairs. The top room or observation cab is the only rentable space at this time. This is a popular rental facility that is booked almost every night of the year. Calpine sits at an elevation of 5,980 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of the Tahoe National Forest, approximately 40 miles from Truckee, California. During the summer, renters can drive directly to the base of the tower. In winter, the road is often closed due to snow and ice so access is by snowshoes, skis or snowmobile. The lookout has propaned-powered appliances but does not have electricity or water.
CARLTON >> Camping Area
Carlton Campground is located along the North Yuba River, adjacent to Highway 49 and 13 miles from Downieville. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing and biking. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
CHAPMAN >> Camping Area
Chapman Creek Campground is located next to Chapman Creek, near the North Yuba River. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing, This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
COLD CREEK >> Camping Area
Cold Creek Campground is located on Highway 89, 4.5 miles south of Sierraville, California. The facility location makes Cold Creek a great base camp for a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, hiking and biking. This is a small campground recommended for tent camping and small campers. Large RVs will not be able to make the turnaround exit at this facility. There are a couple of hike-in sites within this campground that share a small parking area toward the back of this facility. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
COTTONWOOD CREEK >> Camping Area
Cottonwood Creek Campground is located on Highway 89, four miles south of Sierraville. Its location makes it a great base camp for a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, hiking and biking. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
COYOTE GROUP >> Camping Area
Coyote Group Campground is located on the northeast end of French Meadows Reservoir, near the Middle Fork of American River. The facility is located in a remote area approximately 40 miles from Foresthill. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, boating and trail opportunities. This campground is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
DIABLO >> Camping Area
Diablo Campground is located in the Packer Lake area near the Sierra Buttes, in northern California. It is north of the Yuba River and next to Packer Creek. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
15. EAST MEADOW CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
East Meadow Campground is located alongside the scenic Jackson Meadow Reservoir, in the Tahoe National Forest. Its location provides for a great base camp, allowing visitors to enjoy a wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking and hunting. East Meadow Campground is operated by Nevada Irrigation District in cooperation with the Tahoe National Forest
EMIGRANT GROUP >> Camping Area
Emigrant Group Campground is located alongside the beautiful Stampede Reservoir. The campground is located approximately 30 minutes from the town of Truckee, Calif. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, fishing and abundant hiking and off-road trails. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
FIDDLE CREEK >> Camping Area
Fiddle Creek Campground is located alongside the North Yuba River, just off Highway 49, about 12 miles from Downieville. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, hunting, fishing and mountain biking. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
FINDLEY CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
Findley Campground is located alongside the scenic Jackson Meadow Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest. The location, part of the Woodcamp Recreation Area, makes a great base camp for a wide range of recreational activities found in the surrounding area, including boating, fishing, hiking and hunting. Findley Campground is operated by Nevada Irrigation District in cooperation with the Tahoe National Forest.
FIR TOP CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
Fir Top Campground is located alongside the scenic Jackson Meadow Reservoir, in the Tahoe National Forest. The location, part of the Woodcamp Recreation Area, makes a great base camp for a wide range of recreational activities available in the surrounding area, including boating, fishing, hiking and hunting. Fir Top Campground is operated by Nevada Irrigation District in cooperation with the Tahoe National Forest
FORBES CREEK >> Camping Area
Forbes Creek Group Campground is located near the southeast shore of Sugar Pine Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, canoeing and hiking opportunities. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
FRENCH MEADOWS >> Camping Area
French Meadows Campground is located along the shores French Meadows Reservoir, about 40 miles from the town of Foresthill. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, boating and trail opportunities. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
GATES GROUP >> Camping Area
Gates Group Campground is located on the North Fork American River, at the north end of the French Meadows Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest. It is 40 miles from the town of Foresthill. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, boating and trail opportunities.
GIANT GAP >> Camping Area
Giant Gap Campground is located on the north shore of Sugar Pine Reservoir, in the Tahoe National Forest. It is just 15 miles from Foresthill. Visitors enjoy the surrounding area for its fishing, canoeing, OHV and hiking opportunities.
GOOSE MEADOWS >> Camping Area
Goose Meadow Campground is located along the Truckee River adjacent to Highway 89, about half-way between Tahoe City and Truckee. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing and hiking opportunities, as well as its proximity to Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
GRANITE FLAT (CALIFORNIA) >> Camping Area
Granite Flat Campground is located between the Truckee River and Highway 89, just one mile from Truckee and a short distance from Tahoe City. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing and hiking opportunities, as well as its proximity to Lake Tahoe. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
HAMPSHIRE ROCKS >> Camping Area
Hampshire Rocks Campground is located in the Tahoe National Forest on the banks of the South Yuba River, near the Rainbow/Big Bend exit along Interstate 80. Visitors enjoy the area for its cool temperatures, access to the South Yuba River, fishing, and trail opportunities, as well as its historic significance along the California Emigrant Trail. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
27. INDIAN SPRINGS >> Camping Area
Indian Springs Campground is located in the Tahoe National Forest along Interstate 80 the South Yuba River. It is about three miles west of Big Bend and 23 miles west of Truckee. Visitors enjoy the area for its swimming, fishing, and trail opportunities, as well as its historic significance along the California Emigrant Trail.
28. INDIAN VALLEY >> Camping Area
Indian Valley Campground is located alongside the North Yuba River just off Highway 49, about 11 miles west of Downieville. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, white water boating, and gold panning. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
29. LAKESIDE (TRUCKEE) >> Camping Area
Lakeside Campground is located on the picturesque Prosser Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest, just 10 minutes north of Truckee. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, canoeing, fishing and abundant hiking and off-road trails. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
30. LEWIS at FRENCH MEADOWS >> Camping Area
Lewis Campground is located on French Meadows Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest, 40 miles east Foresthill. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, boating and trail opportunities. Popular activities on the reservoir include boating, canoeing, fishing and swimming. McGuire boat ramp is located within a mile of the campground. The Middle Fork American River can be accessed nearby and provides fishing and swimming. A variety of hiking and biking trails are found in the surrounding area, including the Western States Trail, Tevis Cup Trail, and some that provide access to the nearby Granite Chief Wilderness.
31. LITTLE LASIER MEADOWS CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
Little Lasier Meadows Campground is a horse camp near scenic Jackson Meadow Reservoir, approximately 32 miles north of Truckee, in the Tahoe National Forest. The location provides a great base camp for a wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and hunting. The Pacific Crest Trail passes just half a mile away from the campground. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
32. LOGANVILLE >> Camping Area
Loganville Campground is located along the North Yuba River, off of Highway 49 about 1.5 miles west of Sierra City. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, hunting, fishing, biking, swimming and gold panning.
33. LOGGER CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
Logger Campground sits on beautiful Stampede Reservoir on the Tahoe National Forest, 30 minutes from Truckee, Calif. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, fishing and abundant hiking and off-road trails. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
34. LOWER LITTLE TRUCKEE >> Camping Area
Lower Little Truckee Campground is located along the Little Truckee River on Highway 89, about 11 miles north of Truckee. Its convenient location makes it a great base camp for a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, hiking and biking. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
35. NORTH FORK (CA) >> Camping Area
North Fork Campground is located along the North Fork of the North Fork American River in the Tahoe National Forest, off of Interstate 80, at the Emigrant Gap Exit. Visitors enjoy fishing and swimming in this scenic area.
36. PACKSADDLE >> Camping Area
Packsaddle Campground is located in the Packer Lake area near the Sierra Buttes, north of the Yuba River. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, canoeing and gold panning. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
37. PASS CREEK CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
Pass Creek Campground is located on scenic Jackson Meadow Reservoir, in the Tahoe National Forest. Its location provides a great base camp for a wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking and hunting. Pass Creek Campground is operated by Nevada Irrigation Distriict in cooperation with the Tahoe National Forest.
38. PROSSER FAMILY >> Camping Area
Prosser Family Campground is located on the picturesque Prosser Reservoir within the Tahoe National Forest, 10 minutes north of Truckee. Visitors enjoy the area for its many recreational opportunities such as boating, canoeing, paddeling, fishing, and abundant hiking, biking, and off-road trails. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
39. PROSSER RANCH GROUP >> Camping Area
Prosser Ranch Group Campground is located on the picturesque Prosser Reservoir, within the Tahoe National Forest, about 10 minutes north of Truckee. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, kayaking, swimming, fishing and abundant hiking and off-road trails.
40. RAMSHORN >> Camping Area
Ramshorn Campground is located off of Highway 49, in the North Yuba River area west of Downieville. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, mountain biking, motorcycle singletrack, hunting, fishing, and gold panning. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
41. ROCKY REST >> Camping Area
Rocky Rest Campground is located off of Highway 49, in the North Yuba River area near Downieville. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, white water boating, and gold panning. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
42. SALMON CREEK >> Camping Area
Salmon Creek Campground is located in the North Yuba River area. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, and gold panning. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
43. SARDINE LAKE >> Camping Area
Sardine Lake Campground is located in the North Yuba River area, near the beautiful Sardine Lakes. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing and gold panning. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
44. SARDINE PEAK LOOKOUT >> Camping Area
Sardine Peak is a forest fire lookout tower that was constructed in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It is a three story enclosed tower with external stairs. Presently the top room or observation cab is the only rentable space. Sardine sits at an elevation of 8,138 feet in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains of Tahoe National Forest, approximately 20 miles from Truckee, California. The lookout does not have electricity, water or garbage service. It does have a propane tank to operate propane-powered appliances.
45. SHIRTTAIL CREEK >> Camping Area
Shirttail Campground is located on the north shore of Sugar Pine Reservoir, in the Tahoe National Forest, 15 miles from Foresthill. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, boating, OHV, and hiking opportunities. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
46. SIERRA >> Camping Area
Sierra Campground is located on the north bank of the North Yuba River between Sierra City and Yuba Pass. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing and gold panning.
47. SILVER CREEK-TRUCKEE >> Camping Area
Silver Creek Campground is located on the Truckee River, off of Highway 89, between Truckee and Tahoe City. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing and hiking opportunities, as well as its proximity to Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
48. SKILLMAN >> Camping Area
Skillman Campground has individual sites with enough room for parking trucks with trailers. Some of the sites have horse pens and water troughs for horses. It is located in the Tahoe National Forest near Nevada City and three historic mining towns.
49. TUNNEL MILLS II >> Camping Area
Tunnel Mills Group Campground is located along the East Fork of the North Fork of the North Fork American River in the Tahoe National Forest. It can be accessed off of Interstate 80, at the Emigrant Gap exit. Visitors enjoy fishing, hiking and hunting in this scenic area.
50. UNION FLAT >> Camping Area
Union Flat Campground is located on the North Yuba River, near Highway 49. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, hunting, fishing, canoeing and gold panning. The North Yuba River offers swimming, wading and rainbow trout fishing. Seasonal rafting, tubing and kayaking is available.
51. UPPER LITTLE TRUCKEE >> Camping Area
Upper Little Truckee Campground is located on Highway 89, about 12 miles north of Truckee. Its location makes it a great base camp for a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, hiking and biking. Fishing for rainbow and brown trout in the Little Truckee River is a popular activity enjoyed by visitors to the area. The surrounding area offers hiking and biking trails.
52. WHITE CLOUD >> Camping Area
White Cloud Campground is located in the Tahoe National Forest along Highway 20 near Nevada City. The area provides a great escape from urban life.
53. WILD PLUM >> Camping Area
Wild Plum Campground is located on Haypress Creek in the North Yuba River area. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, and gold panning. this facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
54. WOODCAMP CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
Woodcamp Campground is located on the scenic Jackson Meadow Reservoir, in the Tahoe National Forest. Its location, part of the Woodcamp Recreation Area, provides a great base camp for a wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking. Woodcamp Campground is operated by Nevada Irrigation District in cooperation with the Tahoe National Forest.
55. YUBA PASS CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
Yuba Pass Campground is located in the North Yuba River area, atop Yuba Pass on Highway 49. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including birding, hiking, biking, hunting, and fishing. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest
Hiking Trails
Looking for nice hiking areas to take a hike? Choose from these scenic hiking trails:
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