Big Meadow campground
Big Meadow
Reservations are required to secure a spot at Big Meadow camping area, ensuring a stress-free experience. It is recommended to make reservations well in advance, especially during peak seasons, as this campground is popular and spaces fill up quickly.
The best time to visit Big Meadow is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant and perfect for outdoor activities. However, it is important to note that this camping area is prone to occasional thunderstorms and heavy rains, so it is crucial to check the weather forecast before planning your trip. Additionally, be cautious of wildlife in the area, including bears, and remember to follow all the necessary precautions to keep both yourself and the animals safe.
In conclusion, Big Meadow camping area in California offers a range of amenities, requires reservations, and is best enjoyed during the summer months. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be mindful of wildlife while enjoying the beauty of this picturesque camping area.
What's on-site at Big Meadow
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Big Meadow, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Meadow Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Big Meadow Group Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Sand Flat Campgound | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Camp Wolfeboro (Bsa) | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Horse Gulch Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Big Meadow -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Truckee R At S Upper Truckee Rd Nr Meyers Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| E F Carson R Bl Markleeville C Nr Markleevilleca | 978 cfs | → |
| West Fork Carson River At Woodfords | 237 cfs | → |
| Upper Truckee R At Hwy 50 Above Meyers Ca | 188 cfs | → |
| Leviathan Mine Adit Drain Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Leviathan C Ab Mine Nr Markleeville Ca | 0 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Big Meadow -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloods Creek | 0.4 in | -200.0 in | → |
| Black Springs | 0.1 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Elstanislaus Meadow (Goes) | 21.8 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Blue Lakes | 2.0 in | -1.0 in | → |
| Blue Lakes | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Lost Lake Snotel | 52.0 in | -4.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Wilderness Mokelumne
- Calaveras Big Trees State Park
- Eldorado National Forest
- Grover Hot Springs State Park
- Toiyabe National Forest
- Wilderness Desolation
Fishing spots
- Highland Creek
- Hobart Creek
- Salt Springs Reservoir
- Lower Bear River Reservoir
- Bear River Reservoir
- Evergreen Lake
Paddle runs
- Salt Springs Reservoir Dam To To A Point 1 Mile West Of Bear River Confluence
- Confluence With Highland Creek To One-Quarter Mile Upstream Forest Road 5no2 Bridge Crossing
- Boundary Of Mokelumne Archeologic Special Interest Area To Confluence With North Fork Mokelumne River
- Confluence With Clark Fork To Donnell Reservoir
- One-Quarter Mile Upstream Of Forest Road 5no2 Bridge Crossing To One-Quarter Mile Downstream Of Forest Road 5n75 Bridge Crossing
- Boundary Of Mokelumne Archeological Special Interest Area To Confluence With Mokelumne
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Big Meadow as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Big Meadow
Can I make reservations at Big Meadow?
Yes -- this campground accepts reservations. Snoflo recommends booking early for peak season; check the operator (Recreation.gov / state park system / private operator) for the booking window and cancellation policy.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Big Meadow?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Big Meadow.