Connectivity
- VerizonLTESome coverageVerified by 2 campers · Oct 6, 2026
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Pinecrest Campground
Stanislaus National Forest, California
About this campground
Pinecrest features a large campground by Pinecrest Lake, just 30 miles east of Sonora, at an elevation of 5600 feet.
Amenities for each site includes a paved parking pad, picnic table and campfire ring.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 38.190833° N
- Longitude
- 119.997222° 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-inCommunity report
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Standard campsites
- CabinsCommunity report
- Group sitesCommunity report
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- Picnic table
- FiresSubject to current restrictions
- Trash service
- Amphitheater
- Firewood available
- Alcohol allowedCommunity report
- Phone 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
- Sanitary dump
- Big rig friendlyPublished vehicle length up to 48 ft
- Back-in sitesCommunity report
- Sewer 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
Pinecrest features a large campground by Pinecrest Lake, just 30 miles east of Sonora, at an elevation of 5600 feet. The area includes a day-use beach and a marina, a small shopping center and recreation cabins.
The campground caters to all ages and is within walking distance of the lake, an amphitheater, visitor center, swimming beach and spectacular hiking trails.
Pets are welcome, but must be compliant with Tuolumne County leash laws.
Facilities
Amenities for each site includes a paved parking pad, picnic table and campfire ring. Drinking water is handy and restrooms have flush toilets, sinks and a utility sink. No RV hookups area available and no showers. At the entrance of the campground is a kiosk to help with additional questions and where campground reservation check in will happne. Ice and fire wood is for sale here.
Recreation
The Pinecrest Lake National Recreation Trail takes hikers on an easy 4-mile stroll around Pinecrest Lake. Rainbow trout is a common catch in the lake and swimming is enjoyed at the sandy beach. Educational programs are also a highlight of the recreation area. Bike rentals are on hand so campers can bike around the area.
Natural Features
Many campsites are shaded by trees and sit near the southwest side of the 300-acre Pinecrest Lake in Stanislaus National Forest. In this beautiful mountain landscape, wildlife viewing opportunities include marmots, squirrels, coyotes and deer.
Stanislaus National Forest is situated in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. The area boasts gorgeous views of snow-capped mountain peaks and California's Great Central Valley.
Nearby Attractions
Located in the nearby area are several activities. There are ample hiking trails, horseback riding, fishing, mountain bike riding, and water activities. Pinecrest lake is a boating and swimming recreation area with restaurants, stores, boat rentals, and an outdoor movie theater. Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort is a ski area in the winter and in the summer is a basecamp for mountain biking, hiking, and a great indoor/outdoor BBQ. Aspen Meadow Pack Station is three miles from Pinecrest Lake and offers horseback rides and trail head for hiking. Kennedy Meadows is 30 miles east of Pinecrest and offers great river access for fishing, horse bike rides, hiking, and restaurants. Sonora Pass, a scenic winding highway that has guided people across the Sierra Nevada since 1852, is located nearby.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Swimming Site
- Day Use Area
- Horseback Riding
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Camping
- Boating
- Biking
- Evening Programs
- Historic & Cultural Site
- Interpretive Programs
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Ranger Station
- Swimming
- Water Access
- Disc Golf
Amenities and facility features
- Toilets
- No showers
- Potable water
- Picnic tables
- Site fire ring or grateSubject to current restrictions
- Dump station
- No water hookupsPotable spigots are for small containers only
- Trash service
- Amphitheater
- Firewood
- Pets allowedFollow current leash and area restrictions
- Drinking Water
- Flush Toilets
- Host
- Ice
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
196 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 2
- Maximum vehicle length
- 48 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 11:00 AM
- 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 Changes
- 5 change(s) per reservation
- Max Simultaneous Reservations
- 2 reservations
- Max Transaction Reservations
- 2 reservations per transaction
- Reservation cutoff
- 2 days before arrival
- Maximum published occupancy
- 6 people per site
- Maximum published vehicles
- 2 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 11:00 AM
- Food storage
- The current official campground record does not publish a campground-specific food-storage rule. Check posted rules before leaving food, trash, toiletries, or scented items unattended.
- 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 19, 2026
- Next release
- Nov 7, 2026, 7:00 AM PST
- Next book-through date
- May 7, 2027
- Group sites bookable through
- Oct 18, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-come, First-served SeasonApr 3, 2026 – May 6, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $40 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 7, 2026 – Oct 19, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $40 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 7, 2027 – Oct 19, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $40 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 7, 2028 – Oct 19, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $40 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- Welcome to Pinecrest.
- CAMPGROUND RULES & REGULATIONS Operated By Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort Under Special Use Permit From Stanislaus National Forest CAMPERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING AND ABIDING ALL INNKEEPER RULES CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT Check-In: 2 P.M. | Check-Out: 11 A.M. Leave Site Clean And Free Of Debris. Reservations: Will Be Checked Into Reserved Site at 2 P.M. Walk-Up Reservations: Select From Available Posted Sites Only. Do Not Register For Occupied Sites. Failure To Register/Pay Within 30 Minutes May Result In Fines And/Or Eviction. Your Official Receipt Must Be Completely Filled Out And Posted At Your Campsite Available For Inspection. Your Campsite Must Be Occupied (Slept In) The First Night; Camping Gear (Tent, RV) Must Stay Set Up To Show Your Site Is Occupied. NO SAVING SITES Maximum Stay: 14 Days for Any Person Or Group. This Includes Camping Equipment. CAPACITY LIMITS Max Of 6 People Per Site. Up To 2 Licensed Vehicles Per Site (Includes Cars, Travel Trailers, Boats, Utility Trailers, Etc.). 3 Tents Or 1 Rv/Trailer + 1 Tent Per Site. VEHICLES Speed Limit: 5 Mph. All Vehicles, Including Trailers, Must Be Parked Behind White Line With All Tires On The Parking Pad. Overflow Parking Available At Pinecrest School Rd Access From Dodge Ridge Rd. (see map) EMPTY CAMSITES MAY NOT BE USED FOR PARKING. Off-Highway Vehicles Or Other Unregistered/Unlicenced Vehicles Are Not Allowed In The Campground. Riding In The Back Of A Truck Is Prohibited Under C.A Law CVC23116(A) All C.A State Vehicle Laws Apply In Campground Roadways. SANITATION & WATER No Water Hookups For Trailers/RVs. Potable Water Is For Small Containers (5 Gallons Or Less). DO NOT CONNECT ANYTHING TO WATER SPIGOTS In Campgrounds. No Bathing, Cleaning Fish Or Dishwashing At Water Spigots. Dishwashing Is Only Allowed In Utility Sinks At Restrooms. Do Not Drain RV Sewage Onto The Ground. Gray Water May Be Collected In A Container, Filtered And Dispersed Over The Forest Floor, Away From The Camping Area. Dump Station Located On HWY 108. Dispose Of All Trash INSIDE Of Dumpsters With The Lid Closed And Locked. Do Not Leave Garbage Outside Of The Dumpsters. If Trash Does Not Fit In Container, Pack It Out. NOISE Quiet Hours Are From 10 P.M. To 6 A.M. No Loud Noises (Music, Conversations, Dogs, Etc.). Day Use Areas And Beaches Are Closed During These Hours. Generators: Limited To Up To 3 Hours Per Day Between 8 A.M. And 8 P.M. Chainsaw Use: 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. For Cutting Firewood Only. No Cutting Of Standing/Live Trees. ADDITIONAL RULES Dogs: Never Leave Unattended Or Unleashed. Clean Up After Your Dog. Pets Are Not Allowed On Beaches. Skateboards/Rollerblades : Not Allowed. Bikes/Scooters Follow One-Way Signs-18 Helmets Required Campfires: Must Be Contained In Fire Rings With Minimal Flame And Attended By An Adult At All Times. Daytime Fires Are Discouraged. Only Dead And Downed Wood Within Campground Limits May Be Collected For Campfires. Do Not Use Nails/Axes In Trees. Hammocks May Be Hung With Rope Only. Do Not Move Picnic Tables Or Make Tarp Walls Around Campsites.
- 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.
- For more information on Stanislaus National Forest, click here
Getting there & contact
Official directions
From Sonora, take Highway 108 east for 30 miles, take the Pinecrest exit onto Pinecrest Lake Road and continue to the campground.
Facility contact
209-965-3116