French Meadows Reservoir


...peaceful and lovely because of it's location.

   

DESCRIPTION:

This is a remote, forested basin that is peaceful and lovely because of it's location. However, the reservoir is usually drawn down to low water levels by late summer.

Normal capacity of 136,400 Acre Feet.

Elevation 5263’ with a season of late June through October.

The lake also makes a good base camp for day-hiking into the Granite Chief Wilderness from the west side.

The area is a State Game Refuge; so - no firearms.


DIRECTIONS:

To French Meadows Reservoir

From Auburn follow the Foresthill Road east for 17 miles to Foresthill. Then take the Mosquito Ridge Road east of Foresthill for 36 miles. The road is paved, but canyon drop-offs are not for the squeamish.


ACTIVITIES:

Camping (Rating: Best)

French Meadows Campground: South shore, 75 campsites, flush toilets. This is a fee area; reservations accepted.

French Picnic Site: South shore, 7 sites, tables and grills, flush toilets nearby.

Gates Group Camp: East side, near but not adjacent to the lake, two-25 person and one-75 person campsites, central parking. Fees and reservations required.

Coyote Group Campground: Northeast shore, three-25 person and one-50 person campsites, central parking. Fees and reservations required.

Lewis Campground: North shore across road, 40 campsites and flush toilets. This is a fee area; reservations accepted.

McGuire Picnic Site: North shore, ten sites with tables and grills, flush toilets, and includes a designated swimming area.

Poppy Walk-in/Boat-in Campground: Northwest shore, 12 campsites, either pack-in drinking water or purify lake water and pack-in/pack-out garbage. Free

Ahart Campground: One mile on road 96 above reservoir on the river, 12 campsites, either bring drinking water or purify river water. This is a fee area and no reservations accepted.

Fishing (Rating: Good)

Rainbow and brown hatchery catchables are planted. Large resident fish lurking about.

Boating Lakes & Reservoirs (Rating: Good)

Open to all craft, but speedboats and water-skiing not advised due to submerged hazards. Boat ramps on both south and north shores. Even in summer the long slow drive and winding access road discourages large boat owners.

Flat water paddling is good in late summer if you don’t mind the bathtub ring effect between the water level and the normal shoreline after draw down.


NEARBY LOCATIONS: