East Meadow Campground
Jackson Meadows Reservoir

Jackson Meadows Reservoir, California
Jackson Meadows Reservoir, California

East Meadow Campground
Jackson Meadows Reservoir


East Meadow Campground

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East Meadow Campground is on the northeast shore of Jackson Meadows Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest, north of Truckee. Campsites are among pine and fir trees.

Visitors will find a dedicated swim beach nearby at Aspen Creek Day-use area, plenty of hiking trails, and a boat launch ramp a mile north at Pass Creek Campground. Boats can be moored near East Meadow Campground. Jackson Meadows Reservoir is a favorite for waterskiing, boating, and fishing.

East Meadow Campground has 44 campsites, including 2 double sites. Some of the sites have lake views. The campsites can all accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents; and all of the campsites can be reserved.

Pacific Crest Trail information button

The popular Pacific Crest Trail passes within a few hundred yards of the campground after wending its way 1,183 miles north from the Mexican border. Hikers sometimes stop overnight at East Meadow Campground or Pass Creek Campground. (Use the PCT button to find information about the Pacific Crest Trail at East Meadow Campground.)

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East Meadow Campground Basics
East Meadow Campground Location: 34 miles north of Truckee on Henness Pass Road
Elevation: 6,030 feet
Mileage and driving time from gateway city: Sacramento - 134 miles, 2:42
Number of Sites: 44
Camping Season: Open Memorial Day weekend through October, weather permitting
Max. People per Site: 6 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: 2 ($5 per night for 2nd vehicle)
Pets: on leash, always attended
Operated by Nevada Irrigation District in cooperation with the Tahoe National Forest
Nevada Irrigation District: (530) 265-5302

Reservations at East Meadow Campground
Reservations available: Reservations are available for camping dates from late May through September. At other times when the campground is open, all sites are first-come, first-served.
Booking Window: Reservations are available for camping dates from 3 days up to 6 months in advance of arrival date.
Maximum RV/trailer Length: 40 feet
Accessible Sites: None designated, but some are accessible and restrooms are accessible
Fees: $24 per night ($2 more on major holiday weekends)
Reservations: East Meadow Campground Reservations
Check-in, check-out: 2:00 PM, check-out Noon

East Meadow Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, food locker, fire ring; no hook-ups
Campground: Restrooms with flush toilets, vault toilets, tap water
Showers: No
Dump station: Nearby as Pass Creek Campground
Attractions near East Meadow Campground: Enjoy Jackson Meadows Reservoir for boating, waterskiing, fishing, and swimming. Hike or horseback ride along the Pacific Crest Trail. Find other nearby horseback riding trails. Go mountain biking or check out nearby OHV routes.

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Pacific Crest Trail Information

Trail Miles Northbound from East Meadow Campground

  • Bear Valley Springs trail - 2.6 miles +0.1 to springs
  • Milton Creek - 7.7 miles
  • Haypress Creek steel bridge & trail to Wild Plum Campground - 9.9 miles
  • North Yuba River steel bridge - 11.8 miles
  • Highway 49 - 12.4 miles
  • Canada Border - 1,467 miles

Trail Miles Southbound from East Meadow Campground

  • Mule Ears Creek - 3.7 miles
  • White Rock Lake dirt road - 15.3 miles
  • Mexico Border - 1,183 miles

Nearest Town

Sierra City - 12.4 miles north on the PCT & 1.4 miles on Hwy. 49
  Post Office, lodging, restaurants; Sierra Country Store accepts resupply packages

Always confirm mileages and directions with a reliable PCT source such as the Pacific Crest Trail Association's The Pacific Crest Trail: Exploring America's Wilderness Trail.


East Meadow Campground map, Tahoe National Forest, CA


map of campgrounds at Jackson Meadows Reservoir, including Aspen Group Campground, CA

East Meadow Campground, Jackson Meadows Reservoir, Tahoe National Forest

East Meadow Campground

Jackson Meadows
Attractions and Activities

Jackson Meadows Reservoir north of Truckee is a popular camping, fishing, and boating destination. Campers at East Meadow Campground are close to all the main attractions around the lake.

  • Enjoy great boating and fishing on Jackson Meadows Reservoir.
  • Head out on horseback or on foot along the famous Pacific Crest Trail.
  • Grab your binoculars for a day of Birding in Sierra County. Spot ducks, geese, and teal at Jackson Meadows Reservoir. Bald eagles are appearing more and more frequently. For even more birds, visit Kyburz Marsh.
  • Enjoy a day at Independence Lake for hiking, bird watching and kayaking or motor boating with rentals from The Nature Conservancy (no outside boats).
  • Discover more about the history of Henness Pass crossed by emigrants during the Gold Rush - Oregon-California Trails Association - Henness Pass.

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Key East Meadow Campground Regulations

  1. Obtain firewood locally to avoid bringing in pests.
  2. Dogs must be on leash and attended at all times.
  3. Food and all scented items must be stored in bear-proof lockers.
  4. Campfires should be contained to provided fire rings.

    Check Tahoe National Forest - East Meadow Campground for any campground updates.

Nearby Campgrounds

Jackson Meadows Reservoir Area Campgrounds


Highway 89 Campgrounds


Truckee Area Campgrounds



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General Camping Information

Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on weather conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. If using a reservation website, check to be sure your vehicles will fit in the parking space for your campsite.

In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.

Accessible Sites

Designated Accessible sites are usually reserved for people with disabilities who have a vehicle displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate