Connectivity
- VerizonLTESome coverageVerified by 0 campers
- AT&T5GExcellent coverageVerified by 1 camper · Aug 1, 2026
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest)
Stanislaus National Forest, California
About this campground
Big Meadow Campground is situated in Stanislaus National Forest.
Lake Alpine and Spicer Meadow Reservoir, both just a 15 minute drive away, offer fishing and other water activities.
Big Meadow Campground lies at about 6,400 feet elevation on the Stanislaus National Forest.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 38.416389° N
- Longitude
- 120.105000° W
Know before you arrive
Access, sites & campground features
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Access
- Drive-in
- Walk-in
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Equestrian sites
- Standard campsites
- Group sites
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Picnic table
- Fires
- Alcohol allowedCommunity report
- Firewood availableCommunity report
- Trash serviceCommunity report
- Pets allowedDogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
- Reservable
For vehicles
- Parking
- Big rig friendlyPublished vehicle length up to 53 ft
- Back-in sitesCommunity report
- Sewer hookupsCommunity report
- Water hookupsCommunity report
Official campground guide
Plan with the full campground details
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
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, and deer.
Facilities
Big Meadow has 65 individual camping sites.
Big Meadow Group camp is easily accessible from Highway 4 and can accommodate a maximum of 50 guests and 20 vehicles.
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.
Natural Features
Big Meadow Campground is situated in Stanislaus National Forest. It is known for exceptional stargazing, remote location, spread out campsites, and large granite boulders.
Nearby Attractions
Not separately publishedRecreation.gov does not publish a separate nearby attractions section for this campground.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Camping
- Birding
- Hiking
Amenities and facility features
- Vault or pit toilets
- No potable waterThe official facility record directs campers to carry water
- Vault Toilets
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
122 sites- Equipment
- Boat, Car, Caravan/Camper Van, Fifth Wheel, Hammock, Horse, Large Tent Over 9x12`, Pickup Camper, Pop Up, RV, Small Tent, Tent, Trailer, Vehicle
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 53 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 1:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Tent Only Non-Electric
10 sites- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Management
5 sites- Reservation type
- Non Site-Specific
- Equipment
- Car, Caravan/Camper Van, Fifth Wheel, Pickup Camper, Pop Up, RV, Small Tent, Tent, Trailer, Vehicle
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 40 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 1:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Parking
3 sites- Equipment
- Car, Vehicle
- Maximum people
- 0
- Maximum vehicles
- 1
- Maximum vehicle length
- 25 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 1:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric
1 site- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- Tent
- Maximum people
- 50
- Maximum vehicles
- 10
- Maximum vehicle length
- 20 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 1:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Site rules, inventory & rates
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Site rules
- Has Taxes
- 1
- Reservation cutoff
- 2 days before arrival
- Maximum published occupancy
- 50 people per site
- Maximum published vehicles
- 10 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 1:00 PM
- Food storage
- Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest)'s official facility record checked 2026-10-16 does not publish a food-storage method; confirm the posted rule with Stanislaus National Forest.
- Fire and stove use
- The current official campground record does not publish a campground-specific fire or stove rule. Check current posted restrictions before using any flame.
- Pets
- Dogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
Inventory window
Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.
- Currently bookable through
- Oct 11, 2026
- Next release
- Dec 10, 2026, 7:00 AM PST
- Next book-through date
- Jun 10, 2027
- Group sites bookable through
- Sep 7, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonMay 15, 2026 – Oct 11, 2026 | Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric | $100 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 15, 2026 – Oct 11, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $60 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 15, 2026 – Oct 11, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 15, 2026 – Oct 11, 2026 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $19 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 10, 2027 – Sep 7, 2027 | Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric | $100 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 10, 2027 – Sep 7, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $60 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 10, 2027 – Sep 7, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 10, 2027 – Sep 7, 2027 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $19 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 10, 2028 – Sep 7, 2028 | Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric | $100 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 10, 2028 – Sep 7, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $60 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 10, 2028 – Sep 7, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $30 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 10, 2028 – Sep 7, 2028 | Tent Only Non-Electric | $19 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- There is no potable water available at Big Meadow Campground. Water may be available out of spigots for washing and putting out fires, however it is not potable. Potable water is available at nearby Lake Alpine Campgrounds and Day Use areas, as well as for purchase at Lake Alpine Lodge. Please bring a bucket or suitable container for water to put out campfires.,
- There may be a camp host present during business hours, but not living on-site. Any questions (non-reservation creation related) can be answered at 209-753-6350
- Big Meadow Group is a reservation only campground. 50 people and 20 vehicles.
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
Getting there & contact
Official directions
From Arnold, California, take Highway 4 east for 25 miles to the Big Meadow Campground.
Facility contact
209-795-1381