Gates Group
Tahoe National Forest — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: Foresthill, CA, CA
Price: From $82 per night
Price range: $82–$165 per night
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (5 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.The campground is situated along the river, just north of French Meadows Reservoir.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/gates-group to be notified when sites open up.
Gates Group Campground offers a remote, quiet camping experience on the North Fork American River at French Meadows Reservoir with excellent fishing, boating, and hiking opportunities. Campers consistently praise its peaceful atmosphere, spacious sites, and pristine forest setting.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear activity reported; also present are mule deer, snowshoe hares, California ground squirrels, red-tailed hawks, western tanagers, and northern rubber boas.
Insider tips for Gates Group: Book early—this is a popular federal campground with only 3 sites. High clearance vehicles recommended; Foresthill Rd to Robinson Flat Rd to Mosquito Ridge Rd is the preferred route (snow permitting). Each site has its own vault toilet; no RV hookups available, so bring a self-contained RV or plan for tent camping. No cellphone service—plan accordingly and bring printed directions.
Skip Gates Group if: You have an RV requiring hookups.. You need reliable cellphone service.. You drive a truck with a trailer—access from Soda Springs via 43 Rd is not recommended for trailers.. You prefer short drives to campgrounds—40 miles from Foresthill on a twisty, remote road..
Best time to visit Gates Group: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Ahart Campground (Foresthill, CA), Coyote Group (Foresthill, CA), Lewis (Foresthill, CA), French Meadows (FORESTHILL, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Gates Group
Cell signal at Gates Group (Foresthill, CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.The campground is situated along the river, just north of French Meadows Reservoir.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground with only 3 sites.
High clearance vehicles recommended; Foresthill Rd to Robinson Flat Rd to Mosquito Ridge Rd is the preferred route (snow permitting).
Each site has its own vault toilet; no RV hookups available, so bring a self-contained RV or plan for tent camping.
No cellphone service
plan accordingly and bring printed directions.
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Tahoe National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Tahoe National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Gates Group cost per night?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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