the dyrt
Standard (tent/RV)
Cabins
Group
RV Sites
Tent Sites
Fires Allowed
Pets Allowed
Drinking Water
About
Pinecrest Campground
Pinecrest lake camping 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. Pinecrest 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.
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.
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 but there is a dump station.
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
Sonora Pass, a scenic winding highway that has guided people across the Sierra Nevada since 1852, is located nearby.
ADA Access: N
Sites
196
Reservation Info
Campground is open from April through October, weather permitting.
Price
$26.00
Operator
National Forest
Access
Drive In
Walk In
Features
ADA Accessible
Alcohol Allowed
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Fires Allowed
Firewood Available
Market
Pets Allowed
Phone Service
Picnic Table
Reservable
Sanitary Dump
Showers
Toilets
Trash Available
Water Hookups
Contact
Location
Pinecrest Campground
is located in
California
Directions
From Sonora, take Highway 108 east for 30 miles, take the Pinecrest exit onto Pinecrest Lake Road and continue to the campground.
7 Reviews of Pinecrest Campground
Awesome family glamping
Awesome camp ground! Might be biased, because I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, but it’s a great camp ground and atmosphere. Clean and well managed. Gave it four out of five only because it can get very crowded during the summer season.
Amazing hikes
Lake pinecrest is beautiful. The campground is in the wooded area. The lake is awesome for swimming, boating and fishing. In the summer, the chellet and little lake front stores offer a chance to pick up anything forgotten. We rented a pontoon boat and explored. There are so many hiking trails. Our favorite was Cleo's Bath. It's between 4 and 5 miles long, with a bit of rock climbing, but at the top there are georgous pools and a natural waterslide formed by the snow melt on the mountain. The water at the top is very cold, but crystal clear. The views are stunning. Some nights, they even play family movies at the little theater/gathering place. Excellent family campground.
The perfect respite from the rush
This campground is located at 5000 ft elevation in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is about 2 1/2 housa from the San Francisco bay area. The campsites are a very short walk from the lake. the sites are spacious, well spaced and shady. Amenities are quite good with flush toilets, showers, a general store and more. There is a beautiful trail around the lake. It is very picturesque with the lake being surrounded by granite mountains.Reservations can be had through the USFS and if the main campground is filled there is a first come first served overflow about a half mile by trail or road to the lake.Tthe lake has swimming fishing and pleasure boating with rentals available. It is located along highway 108 east of Sonora Ca.
Beautiful Environs, Full Facilities, Family Activities in the Sierra
This is a nice campground on Pinecrest Lake near Sonora Pass in Stanislaus National Forest. There is a great hike around the lake close by, as well as swimming in the lake a marina and a convenience store. This campground is open seasonally during spring, summer and fall due to the snow in winter. It is located in gold country, so there are some great little western towns in the area.
Lovely campground walking distance to the lake
Don't let the fact that this campsite has over 300 sites fool you - it books fast! We managed to secure one of the last spots one weekend. The sites are great because they are quite big. The terrain varies where you stay and if you are in D or E loop you are closer to the lake. Even though they are large, the tree coverage is bear on some of them so there isn't much privacy.
The other thing that varies is the shade coverage. Our site (we were in the D block closer to the lake) had minimal tree coverage so it was sunny and light at times in the tent. It didn't last long so it wasn't any problem. The bathrooms are mediocre - there was no lights in them at night so you need a headlamp. I didnt see showers in the one near us but am guessing there are some. You will have to look.
The lake is amazing and gets a lot of day trippers. You can walk around the lake, fish, rent kayaks or boats, paddleboards etc. There is also an ampitheatre and they had movies at night - families "reserve" their seating early by puttig blankets on the seats. There is a little 5 and dime store in walking distance as well.
