Tent camping opportunities near Hathaway Pines range from secluded forest sites to developed campgrounds around mountain reservoirs. Located in Calaveras County at approximately 3,700 feet elevation, the area serves as a gateway to the Stanislaus National Forest where summer temperatures typically range from 50-85°F. Winter camping remains available at lower elevations, though higher elevation campgrounds close seasonally due to snow conditions.
What to do
Swimming in natural features: Stanislaus River Campground provides access to unique water activities beyond standard swimming. As one camper noted, "if you hike down river you find a nice moss-covered natural water slide. Stay on the lower right or there's a chance you could get pushed into rocks."
Stargazing at higher elevations: Bear Valley Dispersed Camping offers excellent night sky viewing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. A camper confirmed this benefit: "Perfect spot for star gazing!! We arrived when it was dark and had no problem finding a spot! It was open with plenty of spots & we were the only ones!"
Kayaking island-to-island: Utica Campgrounds provides non-motorized boating opportunities with unique camping options. According to a visitor, "We canoed and SUP camped here. You can find beautiful, isolated sites on the islands all around the lake. Great hammock camping!"
Fishing early morning: Several campgrounds feature good fishing access, particularly during early hours. At Stanislaus River Campground, one visitor mentioned: "Always great fishing if you get up early" while noting the campground sits "Along the north fork Stanislaus River. Great for trout fishing."
What campers like
Off-season solitude: Lake Camanche sees significantly fewer visitors during non-summer months. A camper reported: "We stayed at the lake for one night, mid-week, off season. We were only one of a few handful of RVs in the RV section of the campground... in the early spring, it was full of bird songs and a gorgeous sunset."
Private wooded sites: North Grove Campground — Calaveras Big Trees State Park offers forested camping with adequate spacing between sites. A visitor remarked: "Not a lot of privacy (wide open so you can see everyone around you) but individual sites have room between them."
Cellular connectivity: Unlike many remote camping areas, several dispersed sites maintain usable cell service. At Forest Route 4N39 Dispersed, campers can expect moderate connectivity, while a Bear Valley Dispersed Camping visitor noted: "Wooded campground, cool weather, good phone reception, many spots taken with no activity probably by locals."
Clean facilities: Stanislaus River Campground maintains well-kept basic amenities despite its remote setting. A camper observed: "Very nice campground with clean vault toilets. Along the north fork Stanislaus River."
What you should know
Access roads can be challenging: Many dispersed camping areas require navigating unpaved roads. A visitor to Top of Arnold explained: "The dirt road up is full of ruts and potholes, but my Toyota Yaris made it up. Some noise from chainsaws in the distance one day, and some target practice, but neither lasted long."
Seasonal crowds: Boards Crossing and other sites experience significant visitor pressure during peak season. A camper advised: "I 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."
Dust conditions: Many tent sites in the area have dry, dusty surfaces that can affect gear and comfort. A Top of Arnold camper noted: "Only downside is the ground is basically dust dirt. My dogs love it, my bedding doesn't!"
Insect activity: Depending on season, stinging insects may be present. At Lake Camanche, campers are advised to "beware of the bees!" Similar warnings appear for Stanislaus River Campground: "The only downfall is bees, lots of them. They want your food."
Tips for camping with families
Junior Ranger programs: North Grove Campground offers structured educational activities for children. A visitor praised the "great visitor center and junior ranger program."
Shallow water access: For families with young children, Lake Camanche provides appropriate swimming areas. According to a regular visitor: "We've been camping here for 10 years now. Always 4+ campsites for 4-5 days around July 4th weekend... Water is really nice!!"
Low-traffic weekdays: For family camping with fewer neighbors, timing matters significantly. One Lake Camanche camper advised: "Weekends are filled up and busy, but during the week days it's nice and quiet."
Wildlife education opportunities: Calaveras Big Trees State Park provides bear safety lessons through real experiences. A camper reported: "Bear came through our camp one night hit the Bear box and walked off. Rangers were friendly and very informative about the area."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup information: While many campgrounds accommodate RVs, full-service sites are rare. At Lake Camanche, a visitor noted: "No trailer hookups, but very site has a water but can't connect it with the trailer. Park does have a dump station and is included in the space rent."
Clearance requirements: Forest roads often present challenges for larger vehicles. On Forest Route 4N39, a camper advised: "You don't need 4x4 but you definitely will need a vehicle with some decent clearance. There are some weirdly purposefully placed speed bumps on the west end of the road... that will let you know if you have enough clearance pretty quickly."
Entertainment considerations: Some campgrounds attract visitors seeking different camping experiences. One Lake Camanche visitor observed: "Paved roads, no trees but clean bathrooms. There was a family 'camping' with a generator and flat screen TV watching a boxing match."
