Forbes Creek
Forbes Creek Group Campground is located near the southeast shore of Sugar Pine Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, canoeing and hiking opportunities. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed 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 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
2 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS1 | MADRONE | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Full | 50 / 18 | Yes | Yes |
| GS2 | ROCKY RIDGE | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Full | 50 / 20 | 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 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Accessibility | Sites GS1, GS2 are listed accessible |
The campground offers two group campsites, Madrone and Rocky Ridge. Each site can accommodate up to 50 people and 18 vehicles. Both sites are equipped with a central cooking and picnic area, with a large campfire circle and multiple tables. RVs, trailers and tents are allowed within the campground. An unloading area and accessible parking are available within the campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Take Interstate 80 to the Foresthill/Auburn exit, near Auburn. Continue east for 17 miles to Foresthill. Travel through town, about 9 miles, to Forest Road 10/Sugar Pine Road. Turn left and continue about 9 miles. Look for the Sugar Pine Recreation Area sign and turn right on the first road after the sign.
| Nearest town | Foresthill, California |
| Coordinates | 39.1311° N, 120.7819° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedTmu Rx Support
46 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 ↗ | 0.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | DeMartini RV Sales ↗ | 15.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sipes Tahoe ↗ | 25.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 0.5 miSugar Pine Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 0.7 mi
- 4.4 miEuchre Bar Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9.1 miRalston Picnic Site ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miRocky Ridge0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miDusty Spur (tie 1-4)0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.5 miParker ATV Tie0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.7 miShirttail Creek ↗0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miManzanita ↗0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miShirttail (tie 1-7)0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 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 Tahoe National Forest.
- inTahoe National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,181,139 acres
- 13 miEldorado National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 793,653 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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The 160-acre Sugar Pine Reservoir sits at an elevation of 3,600 feet. Stands of cedar and ponderosa pine provides ample shade in the campground, which overlooks the reservoir. Summertime temperatures are warm during the day and cool at night.
Recreation
Fishing, canoeing, swimming and boating are popular activities on the reservoir. A trail system for walking and non-motorized biking connects the two group sites at the campground, to the lake and nearby boat ramp. The North Fork of the American River is nearby, offering opportunities for additional fishing and swimming. Many miles of hiking, biking and off-road vehicle trails are in the surrounding area.
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 Forbes Creek?
Sites at Forbes Creek are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Forbes Creek?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Forbes Creek have?
2 sites, including 2 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Forbes Creek?
The longest site here provides 45 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
Are pets allowed at Forbes Creek?
Yes, pets are allowed at Forbes Creek. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Forbes Creek?
Sites GS1 and GS2 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Forbes Creek?
Fishing, canoeing, swimming and boating are popular activities on the reservoir. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Forbes Creek?
Foresthill, California.
Source: Getting there
What if Forbes Creek is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Forbes Group Campground (0.1 mi), Giant Gap (0.8 mi), and Shirttail Creek (0.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby


