Dardanelles, Stanislaus National Forest, California

Niagara Creek Area Camping

Stanislaus National Forest

Mileage to Niagara Creek

  • Sonora - 46 miles
  • Stockton - 107 miles
  • Modesto - 95 miles
  • Sacramento - 150 miles
  • San Jose - 169 miles
  • San Francisco - 177 miles




Water Company Wars

During the boom years of the 1850s two water companies were competing to supply the miners with water. The Columbia and Stanislaus River Water Company, composed of local miners, built a ditch up the side of the Stanislaus River canyon to where Donnell Reservoir is today.

They established a lumber mill on Mill Creek to supply timber for their flumes. Mysteriously one night the mill burned to the ground. Many blamed the competing water company, the Tuolumne County Water Company.

Niagara Falls

In the early 1860s when a road was being forged through the mountains, the road crews set up a large camp where Niagara Creek Campground is now located. Following the creek downstream, the men discovered a rock where they could sit in the evenings and gaze upon a high cascade known as Niagara Falls.

The falls were named by the early ditch company workers who could see them from the bottom of what now is Donnell Reservoir. Today the waterfall is not well known because of the difficulty in finding a good viewing point.

For directions to reach a good observation point to view the falls, see the Waterfalls section of Natural Wonders.

The Sonora and Mono Wagon Road

One of the most difficult sections of the old Sonora and Mono Wagon Road was the grade from today's Donnell Vista Overlook down to the junction with the Clark Fork. Construction foreman John Danforth Patterson's crew succeeded in building the steep, narrow length of road which soon became known as the Patterson Grade.

Today's Highway 108 runs along a line above the old Patterson Grade.

Niagara Creek Area Camping

From Beardsley Reservoir to Niagara Creek

The campgrounds in this region are scattered along a portion of Highway 108 from Beardsley Reservoir to Niagara Creek. Some are primitive campgrounds popular with people who simply want a place to park their RV; others offer more thickly forested settings with more complete facilities.

All of the campgrounds in this area are first-come, first-served. They range in elevation from 3,400 feet at Beardsley Reservoir to nearly 7,000 feet at Niagara Creek OHV Campground. Lower elevation campgrounds usually open in April while those at higher elevations are often not open until late May or even early June, depending on snow.



map of Niagara Creek area camping

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Beardsley Dam Campground

Photo of Beardsley Dam Campground, Stanislaus National Forest, California

Beardsley Dam Campground is on the north bank of the reservoir. In 2013 the campground was "re-constructed" with all new amenities and a campground host. To reach the campground, drive 4 miles east of Strawberry and turn onto the paved road to Beardsley Reservoir. Follow it 9 miles down to the lake, across the dam, and around to the far side.

The campground has 16 campsites, each with fire ring and table. Piped water and vault toilets are available.

Fees: $20 per night


TeleLi puLaya (Black Oak Flat) Campground

Photo of TeleLi puLaya Campground, Stanislaus National Forest, California

Opening Date for 2024 Season: Now Open

Black Oak Flat Campground is a new campground near Beardsley Reservoir. The campground is located down from Highway 108 on the Beardsley Reservoir Road.

Campground Facilities: 22 Campsites (2 of which are group sites), vault toilets, piped water (may not be available early season)
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Table, metal fire ring
Reservations: None
Season: Usually May - September
Fees: $20 for single sites, $50 for group sites



Cascade Creek Campground

Cascade Creek Campground is located adjacent to Highway 108 at an elevation of 6,000'. It is 9 miles east of Strawberry.

Cascade Creek Campground, Stanislaus National Forest, California

It makes a good place to park an RV when you are more interested in OHV-ing or hunting, but it lacks much scenic appeal as a camping place. Vault toilets are primitive. There is no garbage collection here, so you have to pack out your garbage. It is more open than other campgrounds, making it one of the first in the area to be open in the spring. The campground is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fees: $8 per night

Cascade Creek Campground Amenities

  • 5 tent-only sites
  • 8 tent or RV sites
  • No piped water
  • Vault toilets

Mill Creek Campground

Mill Creek Campground, Stanislaus National Forest, California

Mill Creek Campground is located at Mill Creek along Highway 108 at an elevation of 6,300'. To reach the campground drive east from Strawberry 11.5 miles and turn right onto the Mill Creek Road. In less than half a mile you will arrive at the campground on the bank of Mill Creek. The campground has enough open space to maneuver RVs and trailers. It is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fees: $8 per night

Mill Creek Campground Amenities

  • 8 tent-only sites
  • 9 tent or RV sites
  • Piped water
  • Vault toilets

Niagara Creek Campground

Niagara Creek Campground, Stanislaus National Forest, California

Niagara Creek Campground is 14 miles east of Strawberry. Turn right onto Eagle Meadow Road. Go 0.7 miles to the campground, keeping to the left when the roads split. The campground is situated at an elevation of 6,600'. All campsites are on a first-come, first-served.

Fees: $8 per night

Niagara Creek Campground Amenities

  • 10 tent or RV sites
  • No piped water
  • Vault toilets

Niagara Creek OHV Campground

Niagara Creek OHV Campground, Stanislaus National Forest, California

Niagara Creek OHV Campground is on Eagle Meadow Road. Drive 14 miles east of Strawberry and turn right onto Eagle Meadow Road. Go 2.7 miles to the campground, keeping to the right whenever the road split. The campground is situated at an elevation of 7,000'. There is no garbage collection here, so you have to pack out your garbage. The campground is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fees: $8 per night

Niagara Creek OHV Campground Amenities

  • 10 RV sites
  • No piped water
  • Vault toilets

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