French Meadows Reservoir

Facility · California ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Tahoe National Forest (NF) · Open Access

5,342 ft
Elevation

4/27/2018: Mosquito Ridge Road is plowed to French Meadows but the road around the reservoir is not plowed. You are not able to reach the boat ramp or the campgrounds at this time.

 

A CDF&W target fishery for hatchery catchables.  Good boat launching facilities and campgrounds.  5,000 lbs of catchable rainbow trout were planted in 2014.  25,000 Eagle Lake trout fingerlings have also been stocked historically.  Large rainbow and brown trout can be found in the lake and in the river above and below the dam.  The area around the lake is a State Game Refuge and no firearms are permitted.  Be aware that many areas around the reservoir and into Duncan Canyon burned in the 2001 Star Fire.  Use caution in burned areas due to safety hazards from dead trees.

 

 

Getting there

39.11400, -120.42146 · 39°6'50.4"N 120°25'17.3"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in10.69.38.85.03.51.30.30.40.84.16.811.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 10.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about French Meadows Reservoir

Can you reserve a site at French Meadows Reservoir?
No. French Meadows Reservoir is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near French Meadows Reservoir

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Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.