NEVADA CITY, Calif. – This weekend the Tahoe National Forest kicked off the opening of its campgrounds for the 2015 season with a ribbon-cutting at the White Cloud Campground near Nevada City. The event was an opportunity to encourage campground use and showcase some of the Forest’s scenic campgrounds that have a fresh look this year.
For the first time in years, approximately half of all Tahoe National Forest campgrounds are now directly operated and maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. Many campgrounds on national forests are run by concession businesses. The campgrounds now operated directly by the U.S. Forest Service are located: along Highways 20 and 89, and Interstate 80; on the North Fork of the North Fork of the American River; and at Sugar Pine, French Meadows, Prosser, Boca, and Stampede reservoirs.
Campgrounds begin opening this weekend in the lower elevations and higher elevation campgrounds will open in the coming weeks. Nearly all Tahoe National Forest campgrounds will be open before Memorial Day weekend.
“We have some of the best campgrounds in the Sierra Nevada,” said Tom Quinn, Tahoe National Forest Supervisor. “Our campgrounds are open for business, and friends and families that come here can expect a memorable recreation experience with the scenic beauty and attractive climate the Tahoe National Forest is known for.”
Campers on the Tahoe National Forest have their choice of scenic free-flowing rivers, classic Sierra Nevada lakes, and majestic pine forests.
The following status report of campgrounds is listed by major transportation corridor or area:
Bullards Bar Reservoir – Yuba County
All campgrounds are open.
Highway 49 – Sierra County
Campgrounds in the lower elevations along the North Yuba River open April 24. These include Indian Valley, Ramshorn, Rocky Rest, Carlton Flat, Cal-Ida, Fiddle Creek, Union Flat, Loganville, and Wild Plum campgrounds. Higher elevation campgrounds, including Sierra, Chapman Creek and Yuba Pass, will open in May.
Sierra Buttes Area – Sierra County
Tahoe National Forest campgrounds in the area will open in May.
Highway 89 North – Sierra and Nevada Counties
Campgrounds will open April 24, including Cottonwood, Cold Creek, and Upper and Lower Little Truckee.
Jackson Meadow Area – Sierra County
Tahoe National Forest campgrounds in the area will open in May.
Reservoirs East of Truckee – Nevada County
The campgrounds around Boca, Prosser and Stampede reservoirs will open May 15.
Highway 89- South – Placer County
Granite Flat, Silver Creek and Goose Meadows campgrounds will open May 15.
Interstate 80 – Nevada and Placer Counties
North Fork and Onion Valley campgrounds will open April 24. Big Bend, Hampshire Rocks and Indian Springs campgrounds will open May 15. Woodchuck and Tunnel Mills campgrounds will open in May.
Highway 20 – Nevada County
White Cloud and Skillman campgrounds will open April 24.
Bowman Lake Road – Nevada County
Grouse Ridge, Jackson Creek, and Canyon Creek are open. Faucherie Group Campground will open June 5. Other campgrounds in the area will likely open in May.
Foresthill Area – Placer County
Sugar Pine Reservoir campgrounds will open April 24. Robinson Flat and French Meadows campgrounds will open May 15.
For more Tahoe National Forest information, go to www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/Tahoe_NFand “Like” us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TahoeNF.