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Woodcamp Campground is located on the scenic Jackson Meadow Reservoir, in the Tahoe National Forest. Its location, part of the Woodcamp Recreation Area, provides a great base camp for a wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hiking. Woodcamp Campground is operated by Nevada Irrigation District in cooperation with the Tahoe National Forest.
Jackson Meadow Reservoir offers excellent opportunities for boating, canoeing, water skiing, swimming and fishing. Anglers will find rainbow and brown trout. A boat ramp and designated swim beach are located within the recreation area.
A half-mile interpretive nature trail wanders through the campground. A portion of the Pacific Crest Trail meanders along the east side of the lake. Hunting and biking are popular activities in the surrounding area.
The campground offers several single-family campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Flush and vault toilets and drinking water are provided.
Jackson Meadow Reservoir is situated in a rolling forested valley, where visitors are awarded beautiful views of the Sierra Crest and English Mountain. The campground lies on the western shore in a forest of pine and fir trees.
Grouse Ridge Non-Motorized area, Bowman corridor lakes, camping, and hiking. PCT access on the east side of the lake.
From Interstate 80, exit onto Highway 89 in Truckee. Follow Highway 89 north for 17 miles to the Jackson Meadows turnoff. Travel west for 18 miles, to Jackson Meadows Reservoir. Cross over the dam and continue to the junction. Turn left and continue to the Woodcamp Recreation Area.
Several first come first serve spots, but I'd recommend a reservation. The camp hosts were excellent but they're not resident hosts.
The out house was stocked but extra stinky, so be prepared for that.
Lake access is a short walk from camp. The camp was completely full Thursday to Sunday. Recommend reservation if possible.
Pros: (1) deep in the heavily wooded forest so you know you are roughing it; (2) some campsites have a flat spot for a tent, except for site 13; (3) no camp host watching over you since this place is no longer run by the US Forest Service. It is run by Nevada Irrigation District at arm’s length; (4) water spigots of potable water with strong flow at several spots in the campground; (5) proximity to the reservoir for swimming, kayaking or actual boating if the water level is high enough to reach the bottom of the ramp; (6) nice toilet paper; and (7) campsites have a nice picnic style table, fire ring with cooking grate, and sturdy bear boxes. Cons: (1) toilets are just pit toilets, no flushing and a fair amount of stink; (2) no running water in bathrooms for washing hands, brushing teeth or a shower; (3) no nearby store at which you might buy something you forgot to bring [recreation.gov website is full of outdated info]; (4) no source of local wood, you’ll have to buy it in Sierraville or Truckee on your way in; (5) this is best described as a RV campground because most of the ground is not level for a tent; and (6) the campsites are just dirt, a fine dirt that covers everything on you, in your tent, on your car. In summary, a decent spot for $24 a night.
We stayed here the first week of Oct. and the campground was nearly empty. Everything was great. Water spigots are close to all campsites and they now have flush toilets. Will be returning next summer.
