photo of the boat ramp parking lot
Closed

Opens May 19, 2026 for the season. The campground operates April 30 through October 31. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

National Forest System Roads

Follow California Vehicle Code on National Forest System Roads

Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited

Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…

Downieville Downhill Closure Order

Closure of identified forest roads and trails for Downieville Downhill.

Big Chief Sale Closure

This order closes forest system roads and trails within the Big Chief project area. This closure is to provide for public safety while 675 acres of forest are treated to enhance wildfire defense in the area.

Woodchopper Timber Sale Closure

Closure of the Woodchopper project area to allow for timber removal and wildfire risk reduction work.

Boca Stewardship Agreement Closure

Closure of the Boca Stewardship Agreement project area to allow for wildfire risk reduction work.

Cabin Creek Closure

Closure for the Cabin Creek Project area to allow for wildfire risk reduction work.

Rattlesnake Road Closure

Closure of Rattlesnake Road to allow for PG&E to complete the Lake Fordyce Dam Seepage Mitigation Project.

Alpine Meadows Stewardship Agreement Closure

This order closes the Alpine Meadows Project area to allow forest restoration work to take place.

Alder 89 Timber Sale Closure

Closure of Alder 89 WUI Timber Sale area.

Sugar Pine Roadside Fuel Break Project

Tahoe National Forest contractors are conducting fuels reduction work in the Sugar Pine Reservoir area. Contractors will be masticating ladder fuels to reduce wildfire risk adjacent to North Brimstone Rd (24) between Sugar Pine Rd and Big Reservoir Rd. There may be unexpected hazards such as flying…

Parking Restrictions

Parking or leaving a vehicle is prohibited on Tahoe National Forest where posted.

14-day Camping Occupancy Restrictions

Camping on the Tahoe National Forest is limited to 14 days in a calendar year.

PRESCRIBED FIRE NOTICE: McNair & Quail Landings - 59 acres

Tahoe National Forest is planning to conduct a prescribed burn in the Calpine area, conditions permitting. Smoke will be visible from Calpine, Sierraville, Loyalton and surrounding areas.  Smoke may settle overnight in valleys, drainages, and throughout the surrounding communities.  Smoke will…

Snow Grooming Updates

Grooming operations have ceased pending new storms. Conditions are more like late April/May than March. Expect running water and thin snow coverage. Trailhead location for Little Truckee Summit staging is currently at the Perazzo turnoff. GROOMING PROGRAM: Snowmobile trail grooming is funded by…

Sierraville Ranger District Trail Closure

Forest Trail 16E87 (Boca-Loyalton Trail) is closed for public health and safety.

Camping and Campfire Restrictions-Truckee and Sierraville Districts

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety and toprotect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Truckee and Sierraville RangerDistricts of the Tahoe National Forest. This Order is effective from July 1, 2025, through…

Highway 20 Area Camping Restrictions

To provide for public safety and to protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Tahoe National Forest.

14-day Camping Occupancy Restrictions

Camping on the Tahoe National Forest is limited to 14 days in a calendar year.

Hoke Valley- Forest Road 860-07 (17E11 Trail) Closed

Forest Road 860 -01 (17E11 Trail) in the Hoke Valley area has been closed to allow for Hoke Valley Meadow restoration.

About

Giant Gap Campground occupies a forested setting on the north shore of Sugar Pine Reservoir in the Tahoe National Forest, approximately 15 miles from Foresthill. The campground sits at 3,600 feet elevation among stands of cedar and ponderosa pine, providing shade during hot summer days. The 160-acre reservoir offers fishing, swimming, canoeing, and motorized boating under 10 mph. The campground features 27 sites including single, double, and triple configurations. Each site includes a fire ring, picnic table, and bear box for food storage. Vault toilets, drinking water with high iron content, a dump station, and dumpsters are provided. A paved non-motorized trail circles the campground and connects to the day use area and nearby Shirttail Creek Campground. The North Fork of the American River is nearby for additional fishing and swimming. Off-highway vehicle staging is available in the area, though OHV use is not permitted within the Sugar Pine Complex itself. Large RVs are not recommended due to narrow campground roads.

Directions

From I-80, take the Foresthill Road exit and continue 17 miles to the town of Foresthill. Continue on the road for 9 miles to Sugar Pine Road. Turn left and continue 9 miles, crossing the boat ramp and dam. Take the first right after the Sugar Pine Recreation Area sign and travel 1.5 miles to the campground.

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station Yes
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $24 - $48

Vehicle

Max RV Length 60ft
Max Trailer Length 31ft
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (530) 367-2224

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

photo of the boat ramp parking lot
Photo of Giant Gap Campground
Photo of campground host
photo of a bear at Giant Gap campground
Sugar pine reservoir from the public boat ramp.

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