Overview

Lodgepole Group Campground is located just two miles west of Lake Alpine in northern California. The campground affords breathtaking views of the surrounding Stanislaus National Forest. 

Campground may open earlier and close later on a first come first serve basis as weather (snow level) allows. This information will be posted on this page as soon as it becomes available. 

The current dates for reservations have historically allowed for comfortable camping, but please take into consideration the high alpine location when making a reservation. It is possible to have snow, rain, mud, and overall cold/wet conditions any time of year.

Recreation

Lake Alpine provides a wide variety of recreation opportunities. Hike, bike, or ride a horse on Bear Valley, an accessible trail that winds along the lakeshore to the community of Bear Valley. It connects with the historic Emigrant Trail, the route pioneers once traveled via covered wagon to settle in California.

Interpretive programs are offered by Forest Service rangers during the summer months.

Facilities

Campsites with room for up to 6 people, 3 tents, and 2 vehicles per campsite. Picnic tables, campfire rings, toilets are available. Hot showers and laundromat available at nearby Lake Alpine Lodge. No electricity or hook-ups. Pets are welcome. Firewood, camping and fishing supplies, food, and apparel is available in the general store at Lake Alpine Lodge.

Natural Features

Lodgepole Campground is situated on a large, flat plain, not far from a creek. It sits at an elevation of 7,290 feet, within the Stanislaus National Forest in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains. The forest lies between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite and boasts gorgeous views of snow-capped peaks and California’s Great Central Valley.

A wide variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including marmots, squirrels, coyotes, deer and many birds.

Nearby Attractions

A restaurant, bar, general store, and boat rentals can be found at nearby Lake Alpine Lodge. The immediate area is suited for forest and wilderness recreation. A short car ride away is Big Trees State Park, Grover Hot Springs, Mercer Caverns, Mountain Adventure Seminars, and the wine country of Calaveras County.

Nearby Activities

• Boating
• Climbing
• Camping
• Interpretive programs
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Picnicking
• Recreational vehicles
• Visitor center
• Wilderness
• Day use area
• Swimming site
• Swimming
• Motor boat
• Off road vehicle trails
• Paddle boating
• Water activities
• Kayaking
• Non-motorized boating
• Disc golf
• Scenic drive
• Backpacking
• Mountain climbing
• Rock climbing
• Off highway vehicle trails

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Directions

From Angel Camp, drive 50 miles east on Highway 4.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 38° 24′ 59.0000″ N

Longitude 120° 6′ 18.0000″ W

Overview

Pioneer Trail Group Campground offers groups of up to 100 people the opportunity to camp near the beautiful Pinecrest Lake. The campground is located within the Pinecrest Recreational Area just 2 miles from the lake, which beckons visitors with excellent fishing, boating, hiking and swimming opportunities.

In this spectacular mountain region, wildlife viewing opportunities include marmots, squirrels, coyotes and deer.

Recreation

The Pinecrest Lake National Recreation Trail takes hikers on an easy 4-mile stroll around Pinecrest Lake. Rainbow trout is a common catch in the lake and swimming is enjoyed in designated beach areas.

Facilities

Campsites 1 and 3 will accommodate up to 50 campers and Site 2 will accommodate up to 100 campers. Each site features a large campfire circle, picnic tables and vault toilets.
No RV hookups or electricity are available. Pay showers are within a few miles. Winter camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Pets are welcome, but must be compliant with Tuolumne County leash laws.

Natural Features

Pioneer Trail sits at an elevation of 5,600 feet, in a wooded area near the southwest side of the 300-acre Pinecrest Lake in Stanislaus National Forest.

Stanislaus National Forest is located in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. It boasts gorgeous views of snow-capped mountain peaks and California’s Great Central Valley.

Nearby Attractions

The nearby Sonora Pass is a scenic winding highway that has guided people across the Sierra Nevada since 1852.

Nearby Activities

• Boating
• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Swimming site

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Directions

From Sonora, California, take Highway 108 east for about 30 miles. Exit at Pinecrest Lake and turn right on Dodge Ridge Road. Continue 1 mile to Pioneer Trails Campground, located on the left.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 38° 11′ 15.0000″ N

Longitude 119° 59′ 15.0000″ W

Overview

Big Meadow Campground lies at about 6,400 feet elevation on the Stanislaus National Forest. It is located 21 miles east of Arnold, California. Breathtaking views abound, and wildlife viewing opportunities include marmots, squirrels, coyotes and deer.

Recreation

Picnicking, birding and hiking are popular pastimes at Big Meadow.

Lake Alpine and Spicer Meadow Reservoir, both just a 15 minute drive away, offer fishing and other water activities.

Facilities

Big Meadow has 65 individual camping units and a group site. The group camp, easily accessible from Highway 4, can accommodate a maximum of 50 guests and 20 vehicles. Vault toilets and drinking water are among the conveniences found here. Pets are allowed.

Natural Features

Situated in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, Stanislaus National Forest is sandwiched between the well-known destinations, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. It boasts gorgeous views of snow-capped mountain peaks and California’s Great Central Valley.

Nearby Activities

• Boating
• Camping
• Visitor center
• Swimming site

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Directions

From Arnold, California, take Highway 4 east for 25 miles to the Big Meadow Campground.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 38° 24′ 59.0000″ N

Longitude 120° 6′ 18.0000″ W

Overview

Pinecrest features a large campground by Pinecrest Lake, just 30 miles east of Sonora, at an elevation of 5600 feet. The area includes a day-use beach and a marina, a small shopping center and recreation cabins.

The campground caters to all ages and is within walking distance of the lake, an amphitheater, visitor center, swimming beach and spectacular hiking trails.

Pets are welcome, but must be compliant with Tuolumne County leash laws.

Recreation

The Pinecrest Lake National Recreation Trail takes hikers on an easy 4-mile stroll around Pinecrest Lake. Rainbow trout is a common catch in the lake and swimming is enjoyed at the sandy beach.

Educational programs are also a highlight of the recreation area. Bike rentals are on hand so campers can bike around the area.

Facilities

Amenities for each site includes a paved parking pad, picnic table and campfire ring. Drinking water is handy and restrooms have flush toilets, sinks and a utility sink. No RV hookups area available but there is a dump station.

Natural Features

Many campsites are shaded by trees and sit near the southwest side of the 300-acre Pinecrest Lake in Stanislaus National Forest. In this beautiful mountain landscape, wildlife viewing opportunities include marmots, squirrels, coyotes and deer.

Stanislaus National Forest is situated in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. The area boasts gorgeous views of snow-capped mountain peaks and California’s Great Central Valley.

Nearby Attractions

Sonora Pass, a scenic winding highway that has guided people across the Sierra Nevada since 1852, is located nearby.

Nearby Activities

• Biking
• Boating
• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Horseback riding
• Day use area
• Swimming site

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Directions

From Sonora, take Highway 108 east for 30 miles, take the Pinecrest exit onto Pinecrest Lake Road and continue to the campground.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 38° 11′ 26.9999″ N

Longitude 119° 59′ 49.9999″ W

Overview

Pinecrest Lake is located 40 minutes east of Sonora, California, and is within a 3-hour drive from major metropolitan areas including San Francisco, Sacramento and many valley cities. The lake is located at 5,600 feet elevation and provides cool summer relief, spectacular scenery, and lake shore beaches for relaxing, swimming and picnics.

Recreation

Pinecrest Lake is popular for swimming, hiking, kayaking, fishing and sailing (small boats). A nearby resort offers boat rentals, lodging and groceries. Movies and interpretive programs are provided in the evenings at the amphitheater, also located in the day use area. Two campgrounds within the Pinecrest Basin offer opportunities at nearly 300 campsites within one mile from the Pinecrest Day Use Area.

Facilities

Group use sites are fully accessible and provide group size pedestal grills, food storage boxes, group picnic tables and food prep table. Water hydrants and recycle and garbage cans are also located within the sites. Flush toilets are located nearby.

Natural Features

The day use area is surrounded by mixed conifer, providing shade during warm summer days. The group picnic sites are located within sight of the lake offering easy access to the lake, beach and hiking trails.

Nearby Attractions

The Pinecrest National Recreation Trail traverses Pinecrest Lake for an easy four mile hike. Numerous opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating and lake play are within 100 feet from each group use picnic site.

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Directions

Pinecrest Day Use area is located approximately 35 miles east of Sonora, CA on Highway 108. The day use area is located on Pinecrest Lake Road, 1 mile from the intersection with Highway 108.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 38° 11′ 29.0000″ N

Longitude 119° 59′ 35.9999″ W

Overview

West Shore Campground sits directly off the north shore of Lake Alpine. It is walking distance to the boat launch, rentals, and Lake Alpine Lodge. 

Recreation

Lake Alpine provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities: fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, paddle-boarding, boating, OHV trails, swimming, rock climbing, and wildlife watching. Interpretive programs are offered by Forest Service rangers during the summer months.

Facilities

Campsites with room for up to 6 people, 3 tents, and 2 vehicles per campsite. Picnic tables, campfire rings, toilets are available. Hot showers and laundromat available at nearby Lake Alpine Resort. No electricity or hook-ups. Pets are welcome. Firewood, camping and fishing supplies, food, and apparel is available in the general store at Lake Alpine Lodge.

Natural Features

West Shore Campground sits at an elevation of 7,400 feet on the north end of Lake Alpine within the Stanislaus National Forest. The forest lies between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite and boasts gorgeous views. Squirrels, chipmunks, deer, marmots, coyotes, bears, eagles, and many different birds make this area their home.  

Nearby Attractions

A restaurant, bar, general store, and boat rentals can be found at nearby Lake Alpine Lodge. The immediate area is suited for forest and wilderness recreation. A short car ride away is Big Trees State Park, Grover Hot Springs, Mercer Caverns, Mountain Adventure Seminars, and the wine country of Calaveras County.

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Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S

Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W

This trail provides access to Big Meadow and Long Meadow, with a number of good campsites, mostly undulating through forest along the meadow margins. At the top of Long Meadow, the trail makes a ridiculously steep ascent. It then follows the ridge top, with views to the north, passing a junction with Torgerson Meadow Trail, and after a short drop reaches the Haypress Trail on Sandy Ridge.

McCash Loop received maintenance in 2014. The trail was clear at that time, except for blockages at the extreme eastern end at Haypress Trail. There has been no recent maintenance. There may be new down timber, mostly after the upper end of Long Meadow, particularly in areas affected by wildfire in recent years.  (Updated June 2016.)

Approximate length: 4.2 miles

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S

Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W

This very short access to Wooley Creek near its mouth starts near the end of the stub of the Steinacher Creek Road, off an unpaved road loop at the ridgeline dividing the Salmon River and Wooley Creek watersheds.

It is steep and has some narrow spots. Not suitable for stock. In good condition. (Updated July 2016.)

Approximate length: 0.2 miles

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S

Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W

This short access to a pretty glade along Steinacher Creek starts at the end of the stub of the Steinacher Creek Road. It initially follows the route of the fully decommissioned Steinacher Creek Road, then descends into the ravine of the creek. Expect abundant poison oak. The condition was fair as of summer 2015, with few obstacles. (Updated June 2016.)

Approximate length: 0.8 miles

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S

Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 41° 48′ 50.8068″ N

Longitude 123° 42′ 24.6492″ W