The Stanislaus National Forest area near Avery, California sits at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 feet, creating diverse camping microclimates throughout the region. This transitional zone between California's Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada high country features mixed conifer forests dominated by ponderosa pine, sugar pine, and incense cedar. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing while summer days typically range from 75-85°F with cooler evenings.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: Lake Camanche offers warm-water recreation with protected coves for kayakers. "We got in our kayaks for an awesome day paddle around the many coves of this reservoir. Since the lake level fluctuates there aren't many good beaches, but you can pull off to have a picnic lunch," notes Shari G. about nearby Acorn Campground.
Swimming spots: Several campgrounds provide lake access for cooling off. At South Shore Campground, "We went swimming in the swimming area and there were a surprising amount of people there... we found a nice private spot to dunk in the water," shares Natalya P. from her stay at Tuttletown Recreation Area.
Hiking trails: The area offers numerous day hikes connecting to the Sierra wilderness. "The hike around the lake was beautiful too, roughly 2-3 hr hike with some great views," states Ruben N. about trails near Pinecrest Campground, who adds, "Pinecrest was an amazing place at the edge of the Stanislaus national forest."
Stargazing: Clear mountain nights provide excellent celestial viewing opportunities. "It was so dark that I was able to do some great astrophotography," reports Scott R. about his experience at Tuttletown. Another camper at Diamond Gulch described, "The stars were so so beautiful, you can see the milky-way."
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Many campgrounds feature resident wildlife viewing. "We were greeted by cows outside the fence!" reports Brenna R. about Diamond Gulch. At Lake Tulloch, Katie K. observed, "Deer are fearless & majestic, several 'packs' walked through our campsite all throughout Sunday night when everyone else was gone. They walked up to us to smell our campfire & our food."
Easy lake access: Several campgrounds offer convenient water proximity. One camper at Lake Comanche noted, "We liked the site because we can launch our kayaks from our campground down to the lake." For RVers at Acorn Campground, "This is a large campground with sites generally well spaced apart. Great amenities, including flush restrooms and showers, and firewood available for purchase onsite."
Natural swimming: Lake swimming provides summer heat relief. At Lake Camanche, one visitor shared, "The water isn't freezing, it's usually pretty warm. The lake isn't huge, but makes for great boating." Another camper mentioned, "Even without a boat or any lake toys we had a lot of fun hanging on the shore and letting the dogs swim."
Evening entertainment: Some sites provide organized activities. "The amphitheater where they play pretty good family friendly movies" was highlighted as a favorite feature at Pinecrest Campground. Another visitor noted, "There is a movie and Octoberfest (beer and bratwurst for $5). Then smores by the fire with music."
What you should know
Water levels fluctuate: Reservoir levels vary significantly by season. "The last campers in our spot left garbage everywhere. We filled up a large garbage bag before we could setup camp," warned a visitor about Tuttletown Recreation Area. Another camper noted, "Sites that are right on the lake can end up being hundreds of feet from the lake if the water level is low."
Book well ahead: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in summer. "Don't let the fact that this campsite has over 300 sites fool you - it books fast!" warns a camper about Pinecrest Campground. Reservations for July 4th weekend should be made "at least 6 months out" according to a Lake Camanche regular.
Limited shade: Many sites lack adequate tree cover. A Tuttletown visitor cautioned, "Most of the drive in camp sites, including ours, had absolutely no shade (including nowhere to hang a hammock)." For summer camping, consider sites with established trees or bring shade structures.
Yurt camping alternatives: For those seeking yurt camping near Avery, California, several options exist. Yosemite Pines offers "Yurt accommodations with picnic tables" where one guest shared, "We stayed in a Yurt and it was absolutely amazing. The Llamas were an absolute plus as well."
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities beyond swimming. At Yosemite Pines RV Resort, "With a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place to camp with the kids," according to Jeanette D.
Quieter weekdays: For families seeking peace, avoid busy weekends. "Weekends are filled up and busy, but during the week days it's nice and quiet," notes a Lake Camanche regular. Another camper shared, "We were the only ones camping on Christmas Weekend."
Boat rentals for kids: Rental options make water activities accessible. One visitor mentioned, "We rented a boat for half the price as the early bird special and caught a bunch of trout." At Pinecrest, there are "boat rentals to get into the open water."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Animal encounters create memorable experiences. "We loved waking up to cows and turkeys, and an incredible sunrise view. There were such sweet little birds grazing nearby at sunset," described a family staying at Diamond Gulch.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Not all campgrounds are equally suitable for larger rigs. At Angels Camp Campground and RV, "East side of CG seems to accommodate more for families with kids while west side is better for RVs. Most RV sites have full hookups and are pull throughs," advises John G.
RV accessibility: Some areas have challenging access roads. At Diamond Gulch, campers noted that while the campground is "accessible for most campers but large RVs might struggle." Another camper advised, "We were lucky enough to be here when it was dead empty and picked a good site for my 27' toy hauler."
Hookup availability: Water and electric services vary significantly. A Pinecrest camper shared, "On their website it did state there was water hookups unfortunately there was not." Another camper at Yosemite Lakes mentioned, "There are only a handful of 50amp spots and people move to them quickly after someone leaves, lots of 30amp though."
Generator restrictions: Noise policies affect RV camping options. One camper at Acorn noted, "This is a large campground with sites generally well spaced apart, you don't feel right on top of your neighbors." For those seeking yurt camping near Avery as an RV alternative, several campgrounds like Diamond Gulch offer established yurt accommodations that don't require hookups.
