Poppy Campground
00 reviewPoppy Campground
$18.00 - $18.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$18.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
The campground charges $18 per night per single site. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount for single campsites occupied by the pass holder. Payments must be made via cash or check.
About this campground
Escape to a hidden gem on the northwest shore of French Meadows Reservoir, where Poppy Campground's 12 intimate tent sites await those seeking true wilderness solitude. Perched at 5,300 feet, this remote sanctuary is accessible only by boat or trail, rewarding adventurous souls with an authentic backcountry experience far from the crowds. As a pristine leave-no-trace destination, visitors carry out all waste to preserve this untouched paradise. The sparkling waters of French Meadows Reservoir serve as your natural water source—just remember to bring purification equipment for safe drinking.
Poppy Campground is a primitive camping area with 12 designated tent sites. It is accessible only by boat or trail.
Historical Significancenull
Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic transformation of the Sierra Nevada seasons at Poppy Campground. Early-season adventurers encounter a winter wonderland of snow and crisp mountain air, while those arriving after Week 25 are greeted by warm sunshine and crystal-clear skies. The campground's lush vegetation typically reaches full bloom by mid-May, creating a vibrant green canopy that provides natural shade and shelter throughout the summer months.
ElevationAt 5,300 feet above sea level, Poppy Campground offers the perfect balance of mountain elevation—high enough to escape the valley heat and enjoy cool, pine-scented breezes, yet accessible enough to avoid severe altitude challenges. This sweet spot in the Sierra Nevada provides stunning vistas and comfortable camping conditions throughout the season.
Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in a pristine wilderness where towering conifers create a natural cathedral around your campsite. The nearby Granite Chief Wilderness beckons with endless exploration opportunities, while the shimmering expanse of French Meadows Reservoir reflects the surrounding peaks like a mountain mirror. This corner of Tahoe National Forest showcases nature at its most magnificent—from dawn mists rising off the water to alpenglow painting the evening sky in shades of rose and gold.
Geological RegionNestled within the majestic Tahoe National Forest, Poppy Campground sits in a stunning coniferous ecosystem along French Meadows Reservoir's scenic northwest shore. The campground's proximity to the renowned Granite Chief Wilderness places visitors at the doorstep of one of California's most ecologically significant landscapes, where ancient geological forces have sculpted dramatic granite peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and diverse wildlife habitats that tell the story of the Sierra Nevada's formation.
Campsite details
Total Campsites12 campsites
Recommended Campsitesnull
Best Campsitesnull
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
Null
Check-out
Null
Stay Limit
Null
Guests Allowed Per Site
Null
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed
Site layoutnull
Open and Closed SeasonOperates on a pack-in, pack-out basis year-round (no services and no trash disposal).
Reservation Platformsnull
Walk-in AvailabilitySites may be reservable, and reservation fees apply.
Cancellation Policynull
Activities you can enjoy
The campground is in close proximity to the Granite Chief Wilderness, offering opportunities for exploring and nature appreciation. However, no specific activities are explicitly mentioned in the authoritative source.
Boating
The campground is accessible by boat, indicating potential for boating activities, though no specific details are provided.Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- null
- Quiet hours are null
Hazards
General hazardsNull
Active alertsnull
Weather forecast
82
°F
Aug 25
Monday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Strong wind, exercise caution
Humidity: 25%
Very dry conditions, stay hydrated
Wind: 9.7 mph
Strong wind, exercise caution
Clear sky
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
null
Good to know
Peak season datesnull
Trash and recyclingPack-in/pack-out policy applies. No garbage receptacles are available on site.
Proximity to water featuresLocated on the northwest shore of French Meadows Reservoir, which serves as the only water source but requires purification.
Common complaintsnull
Hostnull
Campground Map
Driving directionsDirections from Foresthill: Travel 36 miles east on Mosquito Ridge Rd. and proceed to the campground. The campground is located on the northwest shore of the reservoir and is accessible only by boat or trail. It is approximately one mile from the McGuire parking lot to the campground.
Accessible only by boat or trail. Campground is extremely remote, and there are no services available. "Please be sure to have a full tank of gas before traveling," as stated in the directions.Nearby places
Foresthill (36 miles east)
Nearby supplies
null
Camper Reviews
0.0
0 reviews
Poppy Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
Review Summaries
No review summaries available for this campground yet.
Check back later as we continuously analyze new reviews.
Last updated August 10, 2025