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Established Camping

Pinecrest Campground

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Overnight parking located across from the Pinecrest Kiosk is now designated as day-use only. Overnight parking for the campgrounds has been relocated off of Dodge Ridge Road on Old Pinecrest School Road. Please plan accordingly. For more information about the improvements planned please visit www.pinecrestlakeupdate.com

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Pinecrest Campground, near Pinecrest, California, is a fantastic spot for families and friends looking to enjoy the great outdoors. With spacious campsites that offer a good amount of privacy, it’s perfect for setting up your tent or RV and kicking back by the fire.

This campground is just a stone's throw from Pinecrest Lake, where you can dive into activities like paddle boarding, fishing, or simply soaking up the sun. Visitors rave about the outdoor movie nights at the amphitheater, making for a fun evening under the stars. One camper shared, “The lake is loved to death but still a fun time for all,” highlighting the vibrant atmosphere here.

The facilities are well-kept, with clean restrooms and easy access to a camp store for snacks and essentials. If you’re up for some adventure, the hiking trails around the lake offer stunning views and a chance to connect with nature. Just remember, while the campground can get busy, especially during peak season, it’s all part of the lively camping experience. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, Pinecrest Campground has plenty to keep you entertained and relaxed.

Reservation Info

Campground is open from April through October, weather permitting.

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Location

Pinecrest Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Sonora, take Highway 108 east for 30 miles, take the Pinecrest exit onto Pinecrest Lake Road and continue to the campground.

Address

18 Pinecrest Lake Road
Pinecrest, CA 95364

Coordinates

38.1908333 N
119.9972222 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

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Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

18 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 22, 2025

Beautiful Location With Talkitive Ravens

We went to Pinecrest as the first trip we took with our brand new travel trailer. Not only was it a great break-in trip but the location was lovely. The hosts were friendly and very helpful when we had difficulty getting into the site we reserved. Once we set up camp in our new sire, we started to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. And the ravens. Lots of talkative ravens. Very entertaining.

We were thrilled to find out there’s a restaurant and general store located right across the street from the campground. It was just delicious icing on a very tasty cake. Two thumbs up for Pinecrest Campground and an extra thumbs up and thank you to the hosts.

SiteC10
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Jon M., August 22, 2025
Reviewed Jul. 30, 2023

Nice campground

Stayed two nights. Had a large campsite with plenty of room and fairly secluded. Close to the restrooms, never did find showers. Enjoyed the proximity to the lake and had a great hike around it. Would return and stay a day or two longer.

SiteA48
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Allison , July 30, 2023
Reviewed Oct. 3, 2022

Pleasant trip

We played paddle board in the lake, watched the new Minion movie at the amphitheater, stayed in our RV.

SiteE10
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Mar. 19, 2022

Great Spot

Clean campsites very close to Pinecrest Lake, the coffee shop, store, restaurant. Saturday nights they play outdoor movies at the Amphitheater. Flush toilets available. Taking away 1 star because there are no bear boxes.

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Sep. 1, 2021

Great experience overall

Had just an amazing time out in Pinecrest. I have been here a couple times before but this was the first time with a travel trailer. On their website it did state there was water hookups unfortunately there was not. Me and the girlfriend rented a boat for half the price as the early bird special and caught a bunch of trout. We used a size ten Tribble hook with about a foot leader and pinch weights with rainbow powerbait for those that want to catch fish for lunch.

SiteD-23
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Ian G., September 1, 2021
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Reviewed Jun. 1, 2021

Pinecrest campground

Pinecrest was an amazing place at the edge of the Stanislaus national forest. The community is great, the campground and bathrooms were very well maintained. It was a 10min walk to the lake. If you’re into fishing, there are trout in the area with some nice fishing spots labeled on the paper map. Even boat rentals to get into the open water. The hike around the lake was beautiful too, roughly 2-3 hr hike with some great views. Amazing place to camp.

SiteB11
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Ruben N., June 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Ruben N., June 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Ruben N., June 1, 2021
Reviewed Oct. 31, 2020

Repeat Campers

I love the access to the beach, the hikes, the coffee shop for mornings when you don’t want to get a fire started.

Can be a lot of RV generator noise, even (especially?) in early October.

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2020

Crowds, Crowds, Camping

I am a tent camper so bear that in mind. Do not get me wrong, pinecrest lake is beautiful.  And if you take the trail to the backside of the lake you get access to great granite back country.

But this campground is big. BIG. and crowded.  And then so many people come in for day use that it is a mob.  The layout is open not private.  Lots of tall trees but no understory.

I did camp here when it was only partially open at the end of the season - October and I pretty much had the place to myself as the "season" was over. While cold I could enjoy the lake without the movies nights, boats and crowds on the beach.

The campground has everything - table, fire pit, storage locker and bathrooms.

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jul. 21, 2020

Great Family Campground

We’ve been coming here since I was a kid and it has hardly changed. The lake is loved to death but still a fun time for all. Hiking, mountain biking, swimming, kayaking, fishing, outdoor movie theater - something for everyone.

  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Christy S., July 21, 2020
Reviewed Jun. 4, 2020

Family campground

I have camped at pinecrest about 5 times and every experience I’ve had is amazing. Pinecrest is a fun campground for the family, sometimes I enjoy my quiet camping where there aren’t a whole lot of amenities around then other times you want to be able to bring the kids around. Pinecrest has an amphitheater that has the mountains and lake in the back, they play movies that are currently in theaters and sell snacks too! Beautiful surroundings, fun for riding bikes around they have a snack shop right by the lake for ice cream and such. The camp store is also right nearby everything is walking distance. You pitch your tent and you start exploring. I love pinecrest! I have even camped here when it snowed (emptiest I’ve ever seen pinecrest).

  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Azizah T., June 4, 2020
  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Azizah T., June 4, 2020
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Reviewed Apr. 22, 2020

Great all around campsite

This campground is always amazing but there is no hookups which we always prefer. The lake is beautiful though and the kids really love the Amphitheatre where they play pretty good family friendly movies.

Reviewed Sep. 16, 2019

Gods Country

Great camping, fishing , Hiking. Friendly people all around.

Reviewed Jun. 19, 2019

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.

  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Medic R., June 19, 2019
  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Medic R., June 19, 2019
  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Medic R., June 19, 2019
Reviewed Aug. 4, 2018

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.

  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by April H., August 4, 2018
Reviewed May. 21, 2018

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.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Sep. 7, 2016

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.

  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Warren K., September 7, 2016
  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Warren K., September 7, 2016
  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Warren K., September 7, 2016
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 30, 2016

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.

  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Christy K., June 30, 2016
  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Christy K., June 30, 2016
  • Review photo of Pinecrest Campground by Christy K., June 30, 2016
  • (5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campsites at Pinecrest Lake campground?

The D and E loops are considered prime locations as they're closest to the lake, offering more convenient access to water activities. Sites throughout the campground are spacious and well-shaded, with varying terrain depending on location. The best spots tend to book quickly, especially during peak summer season. Sites are generally well-spaced, providing reasonable privacy despite the campground's large size. For families wanting easy access to amenities, sites closer to the amphitheater and store areas might be preferable.

What activities and attractions are available at Pinecrest Lake?

Pinecrest Lake offers abundant recreation opportunities including swimming, fishing for trout, boating, and kayaking. A marina provides boat rentals, including pontoon boats, with early bird specials sometimes available. The lake features a beautiful hiking trail that circles the entire shoreline, with access to granite backcountry on the far side. For families, there's an outdoor amphitheater showing family-friendly movies. Mountain biking trails wind through the surrounding area. The lake area includes a beach for swimming, a coffee shop, and small stores for supplies. Despite being popular and sometimes crowded, especially during summer, Pinecrest provides activities for all ages just a short walk from the campground.

How do I make reservations for Pinecrest Lake camping?

Reservations for Pinecrest Campground can be made through Recreation.gov. Book well in advance as this popular campground fills quickly, especially during summer months. The campground has over 300 sites but competition for spots is fierce, particularly on weekends. Reservations typically open six months before your arrival date. For the best selection, try booking midweek dates or shoulder season (late spring or early fall). Remember the campground is only open seasonally, closing during winter months due to snow.

Is there a map available of Pinecrest Campground?

Yes, paper maps of Pinecrest Campground are available on-site and include useful information such as marked fishing spots and trail locations. The map helps navigate the campground's large size (over 300 sites) and various loops including the popular D and E loops near the lake. For planning purposes, you can also find maps on the Stanislaus National Forest website or through recreation.gov when making reservations. The map is particularly helpful for locating amenities like bathrooms, the amphitheater, and access points to the lake and hiking trails.

What amenities and facilities are available at Pinecrest Campground?

Pinecrest Campground offers excellent facilities including flush toilets, showers, and potable water. The campground has over 300 spacious, well-shaded sites that accommodate both tents and RVs, though no hookups are available. Amenities in the surrounding area include a general store, coffee shop, and marina. The campground is well-maintained with clean bathrooms. While generators are allowed, some campers note the noise can be significant during busy periods. The campground is open seasonally during spring, summer, and fall, closing during winter due to snow conditions.