Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Hathaway Pines, CA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Hathaway Pines campgrounds just for you. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Hathaway Pines. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
$25 - $70 / night
"I think this is my favorite California State Park. It is situated in the Calaveras Big Trees Giant Sequoia Grove."
"Pros - you are in the middle of the Sequoias, near hiking, kayaking, etc. Beautiful river nearby; pretty easy in and out for small-ish RVs. Hard to beat the location."
"Some noise from chainsaws in the distance one day, and some target practice, but neither lasted long. 2 bars LTE of Verizon."
"There are a few people on dirt bikes ripping around trails so not fully secluded but still a good spot."
"A short walk down to the edge of the Stanislaus River and you won't want to leave. Very family friendly."
"This hidden gem has a great lay out with tent only sites up front and spots for RVs and tents around the loop in the back - all sites have tables and fire rings are fairly close to several pit toilets"
$40 / night
"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."
"This is a nice campground on Pinecrest Lake near Sonora Pass in Stanislaus National Forest."
$150 / night
"Cute small campsites, kind of close to your neighbor. Not a lot of bugs which is always a plus when your near water, we went mid October and the weather wasn’t too hot or too cold."
"New Melones was not a top destination but it was close to a very special place for us, Natural Bridges."
$20 / night
"A good clean campground, popular in central California. Reasonably priced $20 per night."
"The lake has receded quite a but that one of the docks is about 100 yards from the actual lake now (California drought). The campsite was well maintained."
"I made the drive in a 2wd cargo van and I saw an 80s Ford Mustang down there at the same time but i don't think I'd recommend doing that. A basic truck or SUV would have an easy time driving down."
"I loved it super secluded way off the beaten path. Great camp host and the fishing was incredible"
$35 - $45 / night
"Situated close to a creek and perfect for stargazing, this property offers a way to get away from it all. We've heard the gardens are AMAZING!"
$25 - $35 / night
"Perfect location. Sites are decent size and some are more private than others. Site 97 is large and relatively private. Great for a pop-up camper and two tents."
"Surrounded by trees, typical pretty campsite. Campgrounds is next to the water for close fishing. Less than 10 minutes to Pinecrest Lake. First come First serve. Dog friendly."
"Very nice , loved camping right next to the river. Bathrooms were very clean."
GuideIt's suitable enough of a campground, Verizon works. There is sun for solar panels and enough shade to be fine mostly, I have a canopy so it helps make it more than fine. Only downside is the ground is basically dust dirt. My dogs love it, my bedding doesn't!
GuideWe couldn’t find this spot. We went up a dirt road near where it said on the map but it didn’t look right and wasn’t very accessible for our car. We ended up camping further down the road in what seemed to be a day use car park? We’re not really sure. It’s definitely worth checking in daylight hours, we struggled as it was 10pm when we arrived
TravelerI absolutely adore this dispersed site because of the fond memories that I had growing up using the site while it was fully operational (for 28 years). It used to be a fully operational campground, but it's now decommissioned and only accessible by walking in. That said, this spot likely won’t meet the expectations of most campers looking for convenience or amenities.
The road to the campsites is closed to motorized vehicles, but you can still drive up to a gate where there’s space to park about 5 vehicles—more if you don’t mind double parking with people in your group. From there, it’s a short walk in. Some sites still have old wooden picnic tables, but they’re pretty worn down. If you have a group larger than 8, I’d recommend bringing an extra table or some additional seating. Be mindful of your surroundings—there are many dead-standing trees and potentially hazardous branches, so choose your tent and eating areas carefully.
There are no toilets, no running water, and very few visitors aside from the residents who live along Hells Halfacre Road. However, if you walk down the hill from the campsites, you’ll find a few great swimming holes—definitely worth the effort on a warm day.
If you do visit, please respect the land and the locals. It’s a quiet, off-the-grid kind of place—perfect for those who appreciate solitude and rustic camping.
ScoutGreat spot a little farther up Hardin Flat Rd. I am parked across from a private drive so I can turn around with my RV if needed.
RangerWe were at another location up the road that was listed on Dyrt and the Forest Service Fire Team came up and started talking and they suggested this site and its awesome. You cross the bridge over the river and the trail is to the right. There are a total of 3 established sites. The 3rd site requires a vehicle with a little more clearance. We got our group to the second site and that included a van camper that was 2wd so its easy to get to the first two sites. All the sites are on the river and have paths down tonthe water with a little beach. When we were there I early June the water was still very cold. It's a popular fishing spot with the locals. Not much traffic at all as its on a side street. Each site is large enough for 3 campers to fit. Stone fire pits hard already been established as well. Would definitely come back given the chance.
ScoutAll amenities are super clean, check in was a breeze and you get access to the pool!
ScoutA paved road leads you up into a recently deforested area that seems to have had a fire recently. Found a nice spot near the top with a wide open clearing, perfect for watching the sun set next to a fire. Very quiet. Will likely be back at some point.
GuideLots of ticks! be prepared. other than that, our camp was wonderful. there were many other groups camping in this area which provided a sense of comfort. there’s a spot to throw trash away safely. really great.
TravelerVery Nice small authentic mining style campground. Suitable for RV and hook-ups.
Camping near Hathaway Pines, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Hathaway Pines, California, has something for everyone. Whether you're with family or friends, you'll find plenty of activities and beautiful spots to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Hathaway Pines, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 294 campgrounds and RV parks near Hathaway Pines, CA and 21 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hathaway Pines, CA is North Grove Campground — Calaveras Big Trees State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 21 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 free dispersed camping spots near Hathaway Pines, CA.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Hathaway Pines, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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