Tahoe National Forest

Bear Valley Dispersed Camping

Lodgepole Overflow & Group Campground

## Overview

Silvertip Campground is less than a mile west of Lake Alpine, with a trail leading from the campground down to the lake.

Campground may open earlier and close later on a first come first serve basis 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.

## Recreation

Lake Alpine provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities. There is hiking, biking, kayaking, paddle-boarding, boating, OHV-ing, swimming, and wildlife watching. Interpretive programs are offered by Forest Service rangers during the summer months.

## Facilities

Campsites with room for up to 6 people, 3 tents, and 2 vehicles per campsite. Picnic tables, campfire rings, 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.

## Natural Features

West Shore Campground sits at an elevation of 7,400 feet on the north end of Lake Alpine within the Stanislaus National Forest. The forest lies between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite and boasts gorgeous views. Squirrels, chipmunks, deer, marmots, coyotes, bears, eagles, and many different birds make this area their home. 

## 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.

(lake Alpine)  Silver Tip Campground

[Lake Alpine on Highway 4](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd477029.jpg "Lake Alpine on Highway 4") [Lake Alpine Trail](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd477026.jpg "Lake Alpine Trail") [Lake Alpine Launching Ramp](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd477024.jpg "Lake Alpine Launching Ramp") [Lake Alpine Entrance](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd477022.jpg "Lake Alpine Entrance") [Lake Alpine Boat Ramp](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd477020.jpg "Lake Alpine Boat Ramp") [Lake Alpine on Highway 4](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd477019.jpg "Lake Alpine on Highway 4") [Lake Alpine](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd477018.jpg "Lake Alpine on Highway 4") Boat launch with parking for 60 cars and trailers. Speed limit on lake is 10 mph. No motorized boats on lake at night. Large boats not recommended. Developed Campgrounds have no trailer hook-ups.

Lake Alpine Campground

[Stanislaus River Campground](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd498268.jpg "Stanislaus River Campground") [Stanislaus River Campground](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb498267.jpg "Stanislaus River Campground") [Stanislaus River Campground](http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb498266.jpg "Stanislaus River Campground") Campground is closed but accessible during winter. No services - if you camp here, Pack it in, Pack it out. Mature conifer forest on the North Fork Stanislaus River near Spicer Reservoir. There are 25 campsites with picnic tables, hand pumped water and vault toilets.

Stanislaus River Campground

Utica Reservoir is set in a granite basin surrounded by red fir and lodgepole pine forest. The reservoir has lots of islands and is kept mostly full. Granite slabs along the shore extend into the water. There are two campgrounds adjacent to each other, Sandy Flat and Rocky Point. Elevation is 6,800 feet.

Utica Campgrounds

Lake Alpine camping at Pine Marten Campground is located in the Calveras Ranger District, at the east end of Lake Alpine Recreation Area in a timbered setting near several trailheads. Recreation Lake Alpine provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities: fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, paddle-boarding, boating, OHV trails, swimming, and wildlife watching. Interpretive programs are offered by Forest Service rangers during the summer months. Facilities Campsites with room for up to 6 people, 3 tents, and 2 vehicles per campsite. Picnic tables, campfire rings, 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 Resort. Natural Features Pine Marten 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. Squirrels, chipmunks, deer, marmots, coyotes, bears, eagles, and many different birds make this area their home. The wildflowers are also beautiful! 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 there is Grover Hot Springs, Mercer Caverns, Mountain Adventure Seminars, and the wine country of Calaveras County.

Pine Marten Campground

These scenic small, twin reservoirs are located off the Spicer Reservoir Road. 

There are several campgrounds here. Utica Reservoir has Sandy Flat campground and Rocky Point campground with 11 and 12 sites each. 

Union Reservoir has West and East campgrounds with 18 and 11 sites

There are also dispersed campsites in this area and boat in campsites that aren’t part of the four campgrounds previously mentioned

The area is popular for day use, as well as paddle sports such as canoeing and kayaking. A primitive dirt boat launch is available at Union East Reservoir. The maximum boat speed is 5 mph. Utica Reservoir is managed for non-motorized boating; it has two dirt ramps designed for hand-launching of non-motorized boats.

Utica/Union Reservoirs

Spicer Reservoir has a surface area of 2,000 acres when full. Maximum speed on the lower portion of the lake is 10 mph; the upper portion, surrounded by the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, is managed for non-motorized uses only.Spicer Reservoir visitors enjoy camping, fishing, hiking and horseback riding.

Spicer Reservoir Campground

## Overview

Lodgepole Group Campground is located just two miles west of Lake Alpine in northern California. The campground affords breathtaking views of the surrounding Stanislaus National Forest. 

Campground may open earlier and close later on a first come first serve basis 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.

## Recreation

Lake Alpine provides a wide variety of recreation opportunities. Hike, bike, or ride a horse on Bear Valley, an accessible trail that winds along the lakeshore to the community of Bear Valley. It connects with the historic Emigrant Trail, the route pioneers once traveled via covered wagon to settle in California.   
  
Interpretive programs are offered by Forest Service rangers during the summer months.

## Facilities

Campsites with room for up to 6 people, 3 tents, and 2 vehicles per campsite. Picnic tables, campfire rings, toilets are available. Hot showers and laundromat available at nearby Lake Alpine Lodge. 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.

## Natural Features

Lodgepole Campground is situated on a large, flat plain, not far from a creek. It sits at an elevation of 7,290 feet, within the Stanislaus National Forest in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains. The forest lies between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite and boasts gorgeous views of snow-capped peaks and California's Great Central Valley.   
  
A wide variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including marmots, squirrels, coyotes, deer and many birds. 

## 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.

(lake Alpine) Lodgepole Campground

## 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, coyotes and deer. 

## 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. 

## Facilities

Big Meadow has 65 individual camping units and a group site. The group camp, easily accessible from Highway 4, can accommodate a maximum of 50 guests and 20 vehicles. Vault toilets and drinking water are among the conveniences found here. Pets are allowed.

## Natural Features

Situated in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, Stanislaus National Forest is sandwiched between the well-known destinations, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. It boasts gorgeous views of snow-capped mountain peaks and California's Great Central Valley.

Big Meadow Campground

National Forest

We arrived when it was dark and had no problem finding a spot! It was open with plenty of spots &amp; we were the only ones!
Perfect spot for star gazing!! 

Great overnight camping spot!

Stayed here for 2 nights during the 2019 Pursuit Norcal Event (outdoor adventure camp for adults). Due to the nature of the event, we were very close to other campers but the site itself had a lot of tree cover, shade and probably awesome camping at any other time. There is open field adjacent that was used as the event hub. Location was near trails to rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking.

Bear Valley Dispersed Camping

Save more with PRO

Do you own or manage this property?

About This Campground

Access

Stay Connected

Site Types

Features

For Campers

Reviews

2022 Explorer Giveaway

Great overnight camping spot!

Group event camping

Location

Directions

Coordinates

Nearby Campgrounds