Lewis sits on the north shore of French Meadows Reservoir, 40 miles east of Foresthill in a coniferous forest setting. This is horse-friendly car camping with paved access and flush toilets, positioned as a western gateway to the Granite Chief Wilderness. The reservoir and Middle Fork American River provide water recreation, while the surrounding trail network serves hikers, bikers, and equestrians.
Campground Details
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 40
- 💵Fee per Night
- $20
- 🏔️Elevation
- 5,300 ft
- 📍GPS
- 39.13203, -120.41667
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- summer, fall
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 530-367-2224
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
The 40 sites spread through coniferous forest along French Meadows Reservoir's north shore. Paved roads and parking spurs make this accessible for larger rigs and horse trailers — a key consideration since this is designated equestrian camping. Each site gets a picnic table and grill, with both flush and vault toilets available plus drinking water.
A few sites accommodate accessibility needs. The forest setting provides shade and some buffer from neighbors, though specific site characteristics aren't detailed in the official information.
Water and Trails
McGuire boat ramp sits within a mile, making this a practical base for boating, canoeing, and fishing on the reservoir. Swimming works in both the reservoir and nearby Middle Fork American River access points.
The trail network here connects serious routes. Western States Trail and Tevis Cup Trail — both historic endurance routes — run through the area. Talbot Trailhead provides nearby access to Granite Chief Wilderness for those ready to leave the reservoir behind.
The Bigger Picture
Lewis anchors the French Meadows Recreation Area, which includes multiple other facilities. From here, you can reach Duncan Canyon, Duncan Peak Lookout, and the historic Robinson Flat ranger station. Placer County Big Tree Grove Botanical Area and Grouse Falls Scenic Area offer different flavors of forest exploration.
The trail options span hiking, equestrian, mountain biking, and motorcycle singletrack — unusual breadth for one area. This makes Lewis a solid choice for mixed groups with different outdoor preferences, especially those bringing horses.