A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Forest Service group campground

Coyote Group

Forest Service group campground in Tahoe National Forest, Placer County, California. About 5,200 feet. 18.8 miles from Truckee.

Managed by
Forest Service Tahoe National Forest
Elevation
About 5,200 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
4 4 group standard non-electric
Longest rig
20 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Placer County

Overview

Coyote Group Campground is located on the northeast end of French Meadows Reservoir, near the Middle Fork of American River. The facility is located in a remote area approximately 40 miles from Foresthill. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, boating and trail opportunities. This campground is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.

Recreation

The Middle Fork of American River provides visitors with ample opportunities for fishing and swimming. Popular activities on the nearby reservoir include boating, canoeing, fishing and swimming. Two boat ramps are located within three miles of the campground. A variety of hiking and biking trails are found in the surrounding area, including some that provide access to the nearby Granite Chief Wilderness and The Western States Trail. Just down the road is the Granite Chief Wilderness which provides amazing hiking opportunities for adventurous party to explore historic aspen tree stands and secluded mountain passes and trail. The Western States Trail provides great opportunity for hiking, horesback riding, dirt biking, and for adventurous mountain bikers.

Facilities

The campground offers four group campsites. The Black Bear site is accessible and can accommodate up to 50 people. Brush Wolf, Little Wolf and Prairie Wolf sites can accommodate up to 25 people each. Multiple picnic tables, campfire circles and grills are provided. Vault toilets and drinking water are available throughout the campground.

Natural Features

The campground is situated near the river, just north of French Meadows Reservoir. A coniferous forest covers the area. At an elevation of 5,200 feet, summertime temperatures are warm throughout the day and cool at night.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • swimming site

The land around Coyote Group

The ringed pin is this group campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated June 19, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.