Grouse Ridge

Grouse Ridge Campground sits at the top of Grouse Ridge in California's Tahoe National Forest, within the Yuba River Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the site is set above the Grouse Lakes Area, with trails leading down from the ridge to the lakes below. The camp is known for its views of granitic boulders, alpine lakes, scattered pines and wildflowers, especially in summer. The site has nine campsites, each with a table and a fire ring, and five of them have space for small trailers. Bear boxes are available. There is a vault toilet, but no trash service, so visitors must pack in and pack out. The campground often opens late because snow banks can linger on the access road. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical July averages from a nearby weather station at Sagehen Creek run about 80°F for highs and 37°F for lows. That station sits roughly 1,100 feet below the ridge, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. Sanford Lake and Downey Lake are both within a mile, and the Bowman/Emeralds climbing area and Island Lake Boulders are close by. Carr Lake campground is about 2 miles away.