Middle Meadows
Middle Meadows Campground offers a quiet place to camp, far from the hustle and bustle of city life. The campground is isolated from other campgrounds and offers a variety of recreational activities in its vicinity. Its scenic location also provides for beautiful sightseeing, birding and wildlife viewing.
More like this: reservable in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 25 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
2 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 25 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 50 / 15 | Yes |
| 002 | 25 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 25 / 9 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 25 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers two group campsites. The sites can accommodate up to 25 and 50 guests respectively. Each site is equipped with tables, campfire circles and grills. Vault and portable toilets are provided. Bear proof food containers and garbage receptacles are provided at each camp site. Please bring drinking water, containers or water filters. Potable water is available from faucets at Big Meadows Campground, which is located 2.5 miles northeast of Middle Meadows Group Campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | June |
| Forest | Eldorado National Forest |
| Booking | CALL 1-877-444-6777, four days to 360 days in advance of your first night’s stay. www.Recreation.gov. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover accepted. |
| Fees | Two group sites: Unit #1 = $50/night, 50 people maximum. Walk-in to site from central parking area. Unit #2 = $25/night, 25 person maximum. Walk-in to site from central parking area. Interagency Senior and Access passes are not accepted for group units. |
| Rules | CAUTION: There are bears in the area. Please keep all foods, soaps, and garbage contained. All vehicles must be kept in the unit’s central parking areas. Please keep family pets on a leash at all times. Please use the stove or fire ring provided and make sure your fire is dead out before leaving. Use only water, not soil. Use only dead and down wood for your campfires. Check ahead. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Sacramento, California, take Interstate 80 east to Auburn. Take the Elm Street exit and turn left at the stoplight. Follow Highway 49 down the canyon, across the American River, to Cool. Turn onto Highway 193 towards Georgetown. Turn left at the stop sign, then continue 22 miles to 11 Pines Road.
| Nearest town | Georgetown, California |
| Coordinates | 39.0511° N, 120.4661° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedTmu Rx Support
28 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 16.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Alpenglow Sports ↗ | 19.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | DeMartini RV Sales ↗ | 33.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Middle Meadows is located adjacent to Long Canyon Creek for fishing and wading. Hell Hole Reservoir is a short drive north. A boat ramp is available at the reservoir.
- 4.6 miFrench Meadows Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 5 miFrench Meadows Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 5.4 miMcguire Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 5.7 miMcguire Picnic Site ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miMiddle Meadow2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.6 miHunters ↗9.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.7 miHales Crossing3.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.9 miHellhole 4WD Trail3.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 2.9 miHellhole ↗7.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.8 miDeer Creek Trail1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Eldorado National Forest, which overlaps Tahoe National Forest.
- inEldorado National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 793,653 acres
- inTahoe National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,181,139 acres
- 7.1 miGranite Chief Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 28,374 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
Middle Meadows is located along the South Fork of Long Canyon Creek with a heavily wooded surrounding. Forests include large cedar, pine and fir trees and shrubs. Although the campground has a primitive, undiscovered feel to it, the serene mountain landscape is well worth the long drive from civilization.
Recreation
Campers at Middle Meadows enjoy a forested setting and close access to a flowing creek, making it an ideal spot for family trips. Hell Hole Reservoir, located less than 5 miles from the campground, offers a variety of water-related recreation opportunities, including boating and fishing. There is a swimming hole that is located just west of Middle Meadows Group Campground about 0.25 miles.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Middle Meadows?
Sites at Middle Meadows are reservable on Recreation.gov. CALL 1-877-444-6777, four days to 360 days in advance of your first night’s stay. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Middle Meadows?
Two group sites: Unit #1 = $50/night, 50 people maximum. Walk-in to site from central parking area. Unit #2 = $25/night, 25 person maximum.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Middle Meadows?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Middle Meadows open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season June.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Middle Meadows have?
2 sites, including 2 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Middle Meadows?
The longest site here provides 25 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Can I have a campfire at Middle Meadows?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. CAUTION: There are bears in the area.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Middle Meadows?
Campers at Middle Meadows enjoy a forested setting and close access to a flowing creek, making it an ideal spot for family trips. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Middle Meadows?
Georgetown, California. Middle Meadows is located adjacent to Long Canyon Creek for fishing and wading.
Source: Getting there
What if Middle Meadows is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Big Meadows Campground (2.6 mi, first-come), Hell Hole Campground (3 mi, first-come), and French Meadows (4.9 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby