Gates Group
Campground · California · 3 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Tahoe National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 3
- Bookable sites
- up to 75
- People per site
- 5,331 ft
- Elevation
Overview
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.Recreation
The North Fork American River provides fishing and swimming. The reservoir can be accessed nearby. Popular activities include boating, canoeing, fishing and swimming. Two boat ramps are located within three miles of the campground. A variety of hiking and biking trails are found in the surrounding area, including some that provide access to the nearby Granite Chief Wilderness. Just down the road is the Granite Chief Wilderness which provides amazing hiking opportunities for an adventurous party to explore historic aspen trees and secluded mountain passes and trails. The Western States Trail provides great opportunity for hiker, horseback riders, dirt bikers, and for adventurous maintain bikers.Facilities
The campground offers three group campsites. Two sites can accommodate up to 25 people and eight vehicles each. Another group site can accommodates up to 75 people and 25 vehicles.Picnic tables, campfire circles and grills are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water.
Natural Features
The campground is situated along the river, just north of French Meadows Reservoir. A coniferous forest covers the area. At an elevation of 5200 feet, summertime temperatures are warm in the day and cool at night.The facts
- Season: June – September — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 3 bookable sites
- Up to 75 people per site
- Loops: ASPE, LODG, POND
Site types
- 3 Group Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.
3 campsites at Gates Group
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 1:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | ASPE | Group Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 | 🐾 |
| 02 | LODG | Group Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 | 🐾 |
| 03 | POND | Group Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 75 | 🐾 |
Getting there
High clearance vehicles may take Foresthill Rd to the 43 Rd (Robinson Flat Rd) to Mosquito Ridge Rd, snow permitting. Access from Soda Springs and the 43 Rd is not recommended for trucks with trailers, motorhomes/RV's or passenger vehicles that are not high clearance vehicles with four wheel drive.
39.14139, -120.40917 · 39°8'29.0"N 120°24'33.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 10.6 | 9.3 | 8.8 | 5.0 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 4.1 | 6.8 | 11.5 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Gates Group
- Can you reserve a site at Gates Group?
- Yes, Gates Group is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Gates Group have?
- 3 sites.
- Are pets allowed at Gates Group?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Gates Group.
Also listed by
Gates Group also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Gates Group's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $82 for 25 person site,$165 for 75 person site
Restrictions:
- Firearms or any other implements of destruction (including but not limited to bow & arrow and slingshots) are prohibited in this area; camping outside designated campground is prohibited in this area.
Camping near Gates Group
- Ahart Campground 0.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Coyote Group 0.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lewis 0.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- French Meadows 2.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mumford Bar Campground 1.3 mi · Campground
- French Meadows Reservoir 2 mi · Facility
- Poppy Campground 2.1 mi · Campground
- Talbot Campground 3.7 mi · Campground
- Big Meadows Campground 4.7 mi · Campground
- Hell Hole Campground 4.9 mi · Campground
- Upper Hole Campground 4.9 mi · Campground
- Robinson Flat Campground 5.1 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 530-367-2224
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-19.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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