campgrounds.fyiIndependent · federal campgrounds · no paid placements
← All campgrounds
USFSTahoe National Forest · California

Big Reservoir Campground

Big Reservoir Campground is located outside of Foresthill, adjacent to the Morning Star Campground at Big Reservoir.
Sites0all reservable
Elev.4,150ft
Comf.Apr-Nov8 months
Max rigtents
Electricnonesites
From Sacramento1h36real road time
The honest read
Synthesized from
RIDB · Open-Meteo
OSM · OSRM
Updated 2026-05-27

At 4,150 ft, Big Reservoir Campground has a 8-month comfortable window (Apr-Nov). Winter nights average around 30°F, so the shoulder seasons turn cold fast. Within about 4 miles: 3 peaks, lake or river access.

The campground at a glance

01 · CHARACTER
QuietCoolRoomyShadeRV-fitReserv.

Reads strongest on cool nights and quiet. Softest on quiet.

Six axes, each scored relative to every other federal campground in the region: quiet (miles to a major road), cool (elevation), roomy (average site spacing), shade, RV-fit (longest rig), and how reservable it is. All six come from data, nothing hand-tuned.

When to go

02 · CLIMATE
JFMAMJJASOND
avg highavg lowfrost-freedriest · Jul
Apr-Nov
Comfortable window: nights stay above 35°F, days below 90°F.
93%
Of summer weekend-days are dry.
May 11
Last spring frost; first fall frost Oct 22.
56°F
Average July low. Bring a fleece.

Getting there

03 · ACCESS
01
Sacramento
72 mi
1h36
02
San Francisco
170 mi
3h47
03
Fresno
227 mi
5h03
04
Los Angeles
492 mi
10h56
05
San Diego
634 mi
14h05
By drive time
Sacramento · 1h36San Francisco · 3h47Fresno · 5h03Los Angeles · 10h56San Diego · 14h05Camp

Routed road time (OSRM). Nearest major highway 4.7 mi away.

What's within four miles

05 · TRAILS · PEAKS · WATER

Trails & Peaks

Trail segments
29
Peaks
3

Water & Access

Lake / river access
yes
To nearest major road
4.7 mi
Method

We synthesize public data layers: RIDB and Recreation.gov facility and site records, Open-Meteo climate normals, OpenStreetMap roads, trails, and water, OSRM drive times, and USGS elevation. We take no bookings, no ads, and no paid placements. Independence is the entire point.

Check availability on Recreation.gov →