Pinecrest Lake, Tuolumne County, California

Pinecrest Lake

Tuolumne County, California

Mileage to Pinecrest Lake

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

Hiking

The 4-mile hike around Pinecrest Lake is the most popular in the area. New restrooms and picnic tables have been installed at the east end of the lake.

Pinecrest Lake trail

Paved bike and walking trails connect the lake with Pinecrest Campground and Meadowview Campground. The EcoTrek hike begins at the entrance kiosk to the Pinecrest Campground. You can purchase a map of the trail for $1 there at the kiosk.

Historic Sites

Tuolumne County Water Company Reservoirs

Pinecrest Lake was originally known as Strawberry Lake. It was built in the 1850s to store water that was later delivered by ditch from a reservoir downstream to mining operations around Sonora. A series of higher reservoirs were added soon after the Strawberry dam was built. Catfish Lake and two others near it were part of the system. Two large reservoirs upstream from Pinecrest Lake were established. By hiking up the South Fork of the Stanislaus Reservoir from Pinecrest Lake you can find the remnants of the early dams. There is no established trail, however.

The Walker River Emigrant Trail

During the Gold Rush years emigrant wagons came over the mountains south of Sonora Pass and wound their way down over nearby Burst Rock and then along the top of the ridge at Dodge Ridge Ski Area and down across the North Fork of the Tuolumne River. From there the emigrant trail led through today's Camp Gold and up onto the ridge next to Highway 108. Logging operations have obliterated any remnants of the trail in the area, however.

For more about the history of the trail and its emigrants, read Sonora Pass Pioneers by David H. Johnson, available for purchase from the Tuolumne County Historical Society in Sonora.

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Pinecrest Lake

Fishing, Boating, Camping, Swimming, Hiking, Outdoor Movies

Pinecrest Lake draws thousands of visitors every year, but it still retains its friendly, small community atmosphere that has made it a favorite vacation destination for generations of families.

Thirty miles east of Sonora in Tuolumne County, California, Pinecrest Lake and its surrounding community are easy to reach via uncrowded Highway 108 in summer and winter.

Pinecrest Lake is well known for great fishing and boating, a friendly marina and free boat launch ramp, a fishing dock, sandy beaches and roped off area for swimmers. A 20 MPH speed limit on the lake and restrictions against water skiing and jet skis help to maintain Pinecrest Lake's tranquil atmosphere. At an elevation of 5,616 feet, 30-acre Pinecrest Lake is high enough to remain balmy and comfortable even during the heat of summer.


2023 Stanislaus National Forest Program Guide


Photo of two people and their dog on paddleboards at Pinecrest Lake, CA

Pinecrest Marina

Pinecrest Lake Marina is open from 6 AM to 8 PM during the summer and 8 AM to 6 PM during spring and fall. They rent aluminum fishing boats with outboard motors. The boats hold five people.

Pinecrest Lake Marina

The Pinecrest Lake Marina also rents paddle (pedal) boats, which hold up to 4 people. Kayaks (both single or double seaters) are available.

Sunfish sailboats can be rented for 2 hours or for a half day of sailing on Pinecrest Lake. Two sizes of pontoon "partyboats" are available with a maximum capacity of 10 or 15 people. Reservations for the partyboats are strongly recommended: (209) 965-3333

Temporary boat slips are available to rent by the night, week or month.

Pinecrest Lake Resort Marina Rates

Pinecrest Lake Campgrounds

Pinecrest Campground

Pinecrest Lake Campground

Pinecrest Campground is located within easy walking distance of Pinecrest Lake. The campground has 22 tent-only sites and 175 tent or RV sites. Reservations are strongly recommended (877-444-6777). 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.

Cost: $36 per night

Meadowview Campground

Meadowview Campground is located about a mile from Pinecrest Lake on Dodge Ridge Road. 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. They have 13 tent-only sites and 84 tent or RV sites. No RV hookups area available. The campground has water faucets with potable water. It is a first come, first served campground.

Cost: $34 per night.

Pioneer Trail Group Campground

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. No hook-ups or electricity available. Campground reservations are required during the summer months.

For more campground information, see Pinecrest Campgrounds

Pinecrest Lake Amenities

Pinecrest Lake beach
  • Picnic Area - A large picnic area with 50 tables shaded by trees is adjacent to the swimming beach on the west end of Pinecrest Lake.
  • Bicycle rentals at The Pinecrest Hub near the stores in Pinecrest, range from $8 for 1½ hours for children to $10 for adults. All-day rentals run $20 to $25. They also rent electric scooters and wagons.
  • Amphitheater - The amphitheater, located next to the picnic area, is used for Ranger programs, outdoor movies, and Sunday church services.
  • Fishing Dock - The fishing dock is on the southwest corner of the lake, providing a safe area for children to try their luck catching rainbow trout.
  • Stores - A cluster of stores just west of the lake include a grocery, post office, sporting goods, coffee kiosk, the Steam Donkey Restaurant, and bicycle rentals.
  • The Pinecrest Art Gallery is upstairs above the Pinecrest Lake Resort office next to the bicycle rental area.
  • RV Waste Disposal - located at the dump, off Highway 108, a half mile west of the Summit Ranger Station.

Visitor Activities and Campfire Programs are usually announced in late May: Pinecrest Visitor Activities and Campfire Programs Schedule

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Nearby Lodging

Pinecrest Lake Resort

Pinecrest Lake Resort has a variety of lodging facilities available, including motel rooms, cabins, and townhouses. Each cabin has a full kitchen and bathroom. Townhouses are available in a two-bedroom layout, sleeping six people or with three bedrooms sleeping 8 people. Each unit has a full kitchen. Townhouse living rooms are complete with cable television, propane fireplace and couch.

For more information about Pinecrest Lake Resort, see Lodges, Inns, and Resorts

Pinecrest Chalet

The Pinecrest Chalet is located near Pinecrest Lake and Dodge Ridge Ski Resort. The year-round family resort rests on the banks of the North Fork of the Tuolumne River. The resort features RV sites, 23 amenity-filled cottages, and chalets with kitchens and televisions, fireplaces, and BBQs.

Strawberry Inn

Strawberry Inn is located on Highway 108 in Strawberry. It provides rooms for rent, dining, and banquet facilities. It was established in 1939. Knotty pine, a stone fireplace, and an excellent collection of paintings, sculptures and woodcarvings decorate the Strawberry Inn, providing an accent to an already beautiful setting.

Across the highway from the Inn is the Strawberry Store which offers basic groceries and fishing supplies.

For more information about the Pinecrest Chalet and the Strawberry Inn, see Lodges, Inns, and Resorts

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