Pinecrest Lake Boating
Elevation: 5,604'
Size: 300 Surface Acres
Sonora Pass Boating is most popular at Pinecrest Lake, 30 miles east of Sonora. Pinecrest Lake, with its beautiful setting, draws thousands of boaters every year. It has a boat launch ramp, a marina, boat rentals, and easy access to supplies.
A 20-MPH speed limit governs the lake, making it most popular for fishing, sailing, rowing, and recreational boating. Water skiing and jet skis are not allowed on Pinecrest Lake. A nearby picnic facility provides restrooms, picnic tables, piped water, and fireplaces.
Pinecrest Lake Marina is open from 6 AM to 8 PM during the summer and 8 AM to 6 PM during spring and fall. Boats can be docked at the Pinecrest Lake Marina for $15 per night, $90 per week, or $225 per month. A trailer parking area is located nearby.
Shop Amazon:
Trout Fishing Best Sellers
Trout Fishing Best Sellers
The Pinecrest Lake Marina rents aluminum fishing boats with outboard motors and seating for 5. They also rent paddle (pedal) boats, kayaks (both single or double seaters), Sunfish sailboats, and two sizes of pontoon "partyboats" with a maximum capacity of 10 or 15 people. Reservations for the partyboats are strongly recommended: (209) 965-3333 Pinecrest Lake Marina
Beardsley Reservoir
Elevation: 3,352'
Capacity: 69,000 acre feet.
Beardsley Reservoir is along the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River. To reach the lake turn off Highway 108 4 miles east of Strawberry and follow the 7-mile paved road (steep and windy) down to Beardsley Reservoir. There is a campground on the north side of the lake with 66 sites. At the Beardsley Reservoir Day Use Area at Beardsley Point you will find about 15 picnic tables, BBQ stands, flush toilets, a marked swimming area, and a nature trail that loops around the point between the picnic area and the boat launch ramp.
On the lake visitors enjoy fishing, boating, and water skiing. There is a good boat ramp. The end of the boat launch ramp was extended in 2014, but during times of very low water it may still have to be closed. When Beardsley Reservoir level is low, you have to drive down on the dry lake bed and hand launch your boat. The lake is open year-round but the access road is often closed in the winter. Check the Tri-Dam Projct website for the latest information.
Donnell Reservoir (not recommended)
Elevation: 4,900'
Capacity: 58,000 acre feet
Donnell Reservoir is on the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River about 5 miles above Beardsley Reservoir. Access to the lake is via a Forest Service Road (5N09X) which cuts off from the Beardsley Reservoir Road (see above). The road is subject to occasional rockslides, so it is best to check with the Tri-Dam Project for the recent road conditions:
Tri-Dam Project
No facilities are provided for boating at Donnell Reservoir, although some changes to this may be in the works. Currently some people manage to haul small craft over fences and down to the water, but it is entirely at their own risk. The steep rocky terrain limits foot access to only small portions of the shoreline. No developed recreation facilities exist at the reservoir; however, the area is popular for day use, dispersed camping and fishing. Donnell Reservoir is open all year with road access subject to winter closure.
