Pinecrest Lake, Stanislaus National Forest, California



Pinecrest Lake Camping

Stanislaus National Forest

Mileage to Pinecrest Lake

  • Sonora - 30 miles
  • Stockton - 90 miles
  • Sacramento - 134 miles
  • Modesto - 77 miles
  • San Jose - 152 miles
  • San Francisco - 160 miles




Early Times at Pinecrest

Pinecrest was not the popular camping place in the 19th century that it is today. Most of the early campers chose instead to go to Strawberry where a lodge had been established. Fishing and hunting were the favorite past-times.

One of the first to tromp about Pinecrest was Grizzly Adams. He had a cabin down the road in Sugar Pine and used to hunt in the Pinecrest area, sometimes killing, and sometimes trapping, bears.

The Tuolumne County Water Company established the earliest reservoirs in the Pinecrest area in the mid and late 1850s. Three large reservoirs and several smaller ones were built using log crib dams (log frameworks filled with dirt and rock). At that time and for many years afterward, Pinecrest Lake was known as Strawberry Lake.

The Old Emigrant Trail

From 1852 to 1854 emigrants traveled along the Walker River Trail from the Carson River in Nevada to Sonora. The trail led from Burst Rock down the ridges to the top of Dodge Ridge. From there it turned sharply down hill, crossing the North Fork of the Tuolumne River (more of a creek there) and winding down near today's Dodge Ridge Road to Camp Blue.

There in the meadow was a small outpost that sold supplies to the emigrants. From Camp Blue the trail angled up the hillside to the ridge just north of Highway 108 and followed the ridge for miles, passing through the playground at today's Pinecrest School. When easier and shorter trails opened in the mid-1850s, the old Walker River Trail was quickly forgotten.

For more information about the emigrants and the trail, see the book Sonora Pass Pioneers, sold by the Tuolumne County Historical Society.

Pinecrest Lake Camping

Boating, Swimming, Hiking, Fishing, Outdoor Movies

Camping at Pinecrest Lake is the highlight of the summer for many families. Fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, bicycling, outdoor movies, star gazing, ranger campfire programs -- there are so many wonderful things to do at Pinecrest that it is no wonder that families return year after year.

The two campgrounds near the lake - Pinecrest Campground and Meadowview Campground - are often full during the height of the season. Meadowview is first-come, first-served, while Pinecrest Campground sites can be reserved. Making early reservations for Pinecrest Campground is almost a necessity.

Campsites become available for reservations on a "6-month rolling basis". For example, campsites for May 6, 2024, become available for reservations on November 6, 2024, at 7:00 AM Pacific Time. Each day a new day's worth of campsites become available.

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Pinecrest Lake camping, Stanislaus National Forest, California

Pinecrest Campground

Photo of Pinecrest Campground, Stanislaus National Forest, California

Opening Date for 2024 Season: Partially Open Now for first-come, first-served; reservations available for camping dates beginning May 6

Pinecrest Campground is located within easy walking distance of Pinecrest Lake with its beach, marina, and fishing dock. Typical Pinecrest Campground campsite facilities include a paved parking pad, picnic table and fire ring. The majority of the sites are forested. Bathrooms have flush toilets, sinks and a utility sink. No RV hookups area available. There is a dump station available nearby. The campground has water faucets with potable water. Wi-Fi internet service is available, during posted hours, within 100' of the kiosk. Pinecrest has a store, restaurant, weekly outdoor movies, Sunday church services, and ranger programs.

During the COVID pandemic, ranger programs were curtailed. Programs and activities have returnedin 2023 and are being offered at various locations.
2023 Stanislaus National Forest Program Guide
Outdoor movies are offered throughout the summer: 2023 Outdoor Movie Schedule TBA

Campground Map

Pinecrest Campground at a Glance

  • All sites in this campground are subject to advanced reservations during peak season:
    877-444-6777 or at Pinecrest Campground - Recreaton.gov
  • $36 per site per night
  • Elevation 5700 feet
  • 196 tent or RV sites
  • Piped water
  • Flush toilets

Meadowview Campground

Meadowview Campground, Stanislaus National Forest, California

Projected Opening Date for 2024 Season: May 17, weather permitting

Meadowview Campground is located about a mile from Pinecrest Lake on Dodge Ridge Road. with its beach, marina, and fishing dock. A paved walking/bicycle path connects Meadowview Campground with Pinecrest Campground and Pinecrest Lake. Meadowview Campground campsites have paved parking pads, picnic tables and fire rings.

The campsites are scattered through forested area. Bathrooms have flush toilets, sinks and a utility sink. No RV hookups area available. There is a dump station available nearby. The campground has water faucets with potable water. In nearby Pinecrest you will find a store, restaurant, post office, weekly outdoor movies, Sunday church services, and ranger programs. At Pinecrest Lake are a designated swimming area and beach, fishing dock, and marina with boat rentals.

Meadowview Campground at a Glance

  • $34 per site per night
  • No reservations are taken; first come, first served
  • Elevation 5,600'
  • 100 sites for tents or small RVs
  • Piped water
  • Flush toilets

Pioneer Trail Group Campground

Photo of Pioneer Trail Campground, Stanislaus National Forest, California

Opening Date for 2024 Season: Opening for reservations for camping dates beginning May 6

Pioneer Trail Group Campground is located about a half mile from Pinecrest Lake by dirt trail and two miles by road. Pioneer Trail Group Campground is perfect for groups from 50 to 100 people.

Pioneer Trail Group Campground is divided into three shaded group areas. Each site features a large fire pit, picnic tables and vault toilets. Campsites 1 and 3 will accommodate up to 50 campers. Site 2 will accommodate up to 100 campers. Each site can accommodate 10 - 20 vehicles. No hook-ups or electricity available. Campground reservations are required during the summer months.

Nearby Pinecrest has a store, restaurant, weekly outdoor movies, Sunday church services, and ranger programs. Pinecrest Lake features a beach, marina, and fishing dock.

Pioneer Trail Group Campground at a Glance

  • $105 - $145 per group site
  • Reservations required - 877-444-6777 or online at Recreation.gov - Pioneer Trail
  • Elevation 5,800'
  • 3 group sites
  • Piped water
  • Vault toilets