Connectivity
- VerizonLTESome coverageVerified by 1 camper · Oct 18, 2026
- AT&T5GGood coverageVerified by 0 campers
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Lake Alpine — Backpackers
Stanislaus National Forest, California
About this campground
SIlver Valley Campground sits at an elevation of 7,400 feet on the east end of Lake Alpine within the Stanislaus National Forest.
Backpackers' Campground is located on the East end of Lake Alpine, CA.
Lake Alpine provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities: fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, paddle-boarding, boating, OHV trails, swimming, rock climbing, and wildlife watching.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 38.478305° N
- Longitude
- 120.003030° 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
- Boat-in
Site types
- Tent sites
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Showers
- Picnic table
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- Drinking water
- Firewood available
- ADA access
- 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
- 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
Backpackers' Campground is located on the East end of Lake Alpine, CA. All sites are walk-in tent sites. Cars cannot be parked in camp, parking is available on the adjacent street.
Backpackers' Campground is located in the Calveras Ranger District, in a timbered setting near several trailheads.
Campground may open earlier and close later as weather (snow level) allows. This information will be posted on this page as soon as it becomes available.
The current dates for reservations have historically allowed for comfortable camping, but please take into consideration the high alpine location when making a reservation. It is possible to have snow, rain, mud, and overall cold/wet conditions any time of year.
Facilities
Campsites with room for up to 6 people, 2 tents, and 2 vehicles per campsite. Picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets are available. Hot showers and laundromat available at nearby Lake Alpine Resort. No electricity or hook-ups. Pets are welcome. Firewood, camping and fishing supplies, food, and apparel is available in the general store at Lake Alpine Lodge.
Recreation
Lake Alpine provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities: fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, paddle-boarding, boating, OHV trails, swimming, rock climbing, and wildlife watching. Interpretive programs are offered by Forest Service rangers during the summer months.
Natural Features
SIlver Valley Campground sits at an elevation of 7,400 feet on the east end of Lake Alpine within the Stanislaus National Forest. The forest lies between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite and boasts gorgeous views.
Nearby Attractions
A restaurant, bar, general store, and boat rentals can be found at nearby Lake Alpine Lodge. The immediate area is suited for forest and wilderness recreation. A short car ride away is Big Trees State Park, Grover Hot Springs, Mercer Caverns, Mountain Adventure Seminars, and the wine country of Calaveras County.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Camping
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Climbing
- Disc Golf
- Day Use Area
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Kayaking
- Mountain Climbing
- Motor Boat
- Mountain Biking
- Off Road Vehicle Trails
- Rock Climbing
- Swimming
Amenities and facility features
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic tables
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
- Pets allowedFollow the exact facility restrictions
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Tent Only Non-Electric
8 sites- Equipment
- Small Tent, Tent
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 0 ft
- Check-in
- 02:00 PM
- Check-out
- 01:00 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
- Max Concurrent Stay
- 2 campsite(s) held
- Maximum stay
- 14 consecutive nights
- Max Stay
- 14 nights
- Reservation cutoff
- 2 Not Reservable
- Maximum published occupancy
- 6 people per site
- Maximum published vehicles
- 2 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 02:00 PM
- Check-out
- 01:00 PM
- Food storage
- Lake Alpine — Backpackers'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
- Lake Alpine — Backpackers's official facility record states: Picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets are available.
- 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 4, 2026
- Next release
- Dec 26, 2026, 7:00 AM PST
- Next book-through date
- Jun 26, 2027
- Group sites bookable through
- Oct 4, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonJun 5, 2026 – Oct 4, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $32 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 26, 2027 – Oct 4, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $32 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 26, 2028 – Oct 4, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $32 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- This is bear country-Be bear aware! Keep all food out of sight in containers or inside a locked vehicle. Remove all food from the area after eating.
- All campsites at this campground are tent sites, they do not have a parking space within the campsite. There is parking along the adjacent street.
Getting there & contact
Facility contact
(209) 753 6350