Leavitt Lake
Easy Trail, Fun Spot
High clearance vehicle and 4wd highly recommended. The place has gotten pretty popular, so many groups and in and out traffic I lost count. It’s a beautiful place, we enjoyed the lake.
340 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Stanislaus National Forest surrounding Long Barn, California provides multiple camping options at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. Campgrounds like Pinecrest, Fraser Flat, and River Ranch offer developed sites accommodating tents, RVs, and in some locations, cabins. Most established campgrounds feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to vault toilets or restroom facilities. The area includes both reservation-based and first-come, first-served campgrounds, with several sites positioned along waterways like the Stanislaus River or near lakes for fishing and recreational activities.
Seasonal operations significantly affect camping availability in the Long Barn region, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. Winter snowfall typically closes many forest roads and campgrounds, while summer brings warm days with cool evenings at higher elevations. Several campgrounds require advance reservations through recreation.gov, particularly during peak summer weekends and holidays. Facilities vary widely, from basic vault toilets at primitive sites to locations with drinking water and trash service. Cell service remains limited throughout much of the forest area. One camper noted about Meadowview Campground: "A great spot to get relief from main Pinecrest CG crowds. Nice wide open site for RVs and tents. Bathrooms have toilets and sinks."
Water access represents a major draw for campers in the region, with sites near Pinecrest Lake and along the Stanislaus River receiving particular attention in visitor reviews. Campers frequently mention the abundant wildlife, with deer sightings common at several campgrounds. Some campgrounds provide convenient access to hiking trails and swimming areas, while others are positioned to offer more seclusion. The area generally maintains a family-friendly atmosphere, though holiday weekends can bring increased activity and noise. According to one visitor, Fraser Flat Campground received high marks for its location: "Clean and quiet campground located just outside of Bridgeport. Surrounded by several streams and within walking distance of Twin Lakes. Excellent fishing abounds!"
"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."
from $40 / night
Check Availability"I think this is my favorite California State Park. It is situated in the Calaveras Big Trees Giant Sequoia Grove."
"It’s beauty and trees are unmatched anywhere in California. It is perfect for hiking, exploring, and nearby fishing."
from $25 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Whip out your wallet and empty on it on the check-in desk of this thousand trails (or whatever) park."
"Our tent site was #311 and it was perfectly tucked in the trees with a stream alongside."
"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."
"There is no visual of the river there, but it is a very short walk to get to the picnic area where you have full view."
"Watering holes on campgrounds and around the area like Cherry Lake, Rainbow Pools and Gods Bath! California is full of beautiful wonders and this little gem in Stanislaus Forest is one of them!"
"Only 5 minutes away from a small town for groceries. It is quite a drive to get to the actual locations in the Yosemite park from the campground."
"If you plan to go into Yosemite NP, it's a long drive so plan accordingly. Our family really enjoys Rainbow Pools and Yosemite Pine's proximity to Rainbow Pools is part of why we stay here."
from $24 - $439 / night
Check Availability"Powerlines are nearby but there are a few fire pits. They seem to be logging the area and running cattle but it’s pretty quiet."
"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"
"About a 1/4 mile walk or drive to Pinecrest Lake. Store has food, ice, drinks close by. Steam Donkey bar and restaurant next to store. A great spot to get relief from main Pinecrest CG crowds."
"Close to town and Dodge Ridge. There isn't really any cell signal, which is a good thing. The site is somewhat primitive, but we really enjoyed it. There is a lot of shade and that is a plus."
from $32 / night
Check Availability"The campground was beautiful and my kids had a blast walking around all the buildings (hall, chapel, cabins/dorms) and on baseball field, disc golf course, and basketball court!"












High clearance vehicle and 4wd highly recommended. The place has gotten pretty popular, so many groups and in and out traffic I lost count. It’s a beautiful place, we enjoyed the lake.
The campsite is set along one side of the middle fork of the Cosumnes River and is quite lovely. It is a popular campground on weekends so reservations are recommended. There are outhouses and fresh water available. Cell service is very spotty (we have Verizon) but drive up the road a half mile and you'll get a signal. There are places to fish and swim in the river, with several day use areas in the campground.
I was fortunate to find an empty spot when I arrived on Tuesday in July. There are some spaces at the beginning of the park entrance 1-6, that are close together. Spaces 7-8 are in the middle. Spaces 9-14 are next to each other at the end of the campground.
The hosts were friendly and kept the area clean.
Note, if you are using a tent, you might have to walk a little bit to set up camp, as there may be a path from your parking spot.
I was able to park my 15' trailer and vehicle in space 7.
Great campground for all types of camping. It’s within eyeshot of Robinson’s Creek for those fishermen types. You’ll have to reserve spots months in advance because everyone wants a spot here.
Camp Host very accommodating. Bundles of wood $10 and extra car $5 a day charge. Vault toilets are as clean as can be expected…..
Bears have been sighted but as of now we have not seen one. Dogs welcomed and most owners are very courteous and respectful.
Talll trees bring night quickly and provide moving shade during the day. The sun was pretty intense in the direct light.
Site 23 right between two vault toilets and water spigots. Sight has bigger than usual fire ring with now grate got cooking but a standing bbq is available if you don’t have a stove. There are rash bins at every toilet hoping to make for a clean campground🙏.
We did two nights and left in the morning on the third day. The ranger drove by briefly both days but didn't stop to give us any feedback. We followed the coordinates using GPS out to this site just fine without losing signal. But once there, definitely no cell signal. We didn't see any posts labeled"8N54" or"8N55". We did see posts for Motorized Trailhead 13E33.
Overall this was a good little spot for first time dispersed campers like us. We did some light hiking and there was plenty opportunity for star gazing. Oddly enough there was rave music playing all night into the early morning hours. Unexpected, but distant enough that one of us was able to sleep through it ok, but not the best or most peaceful sleep. We're not really sure if it was coming from a nearby campsite or private property but, oh well. At times throughout the day time the rave music would come on briefly.
Also, this site is really well suited for folks who love dirt motor biking, driving ATVs and that sort of thing. We don't have anything like that but we chose this site because it was easy to get to and not too far from home and civilization. There were several folks riding around both days from about 9 am to 4 pm. We recommend using a copy of the MVUM Map for El Dorado NF Placerville area to see all of the trails and road types. During the peaceful quiet moments, we heard several woodpeckers, crickets, loud deer mooing. And there was even a small heard of cows that came into the campsite a little bit. For about 45 minutes we heard them clinking around with their cowbells on. But it was at night so it was pitch black and the bells were a bit distracting along with the music. One of them even decided to smudge our truck(see photo).
Also, be prepared to shake out your shoes and clothes often as this site featured dirt floor that was particularly dusty. Any time the riders would go by, a big cloud of dust would flow our way. Plenty of tree cover for shade. We didn't use the fire pit because of fire restrictions right now, but we got a fire permit anyway before heading out there. Instead we used a mini stove with butane canister. Definitely plan to pack everything out and clean up your trash. There were a few straggler pieces of debris clearly left behind by less mindful folks, but overall the site was clean in that sense. We were here in late July and it wasn't too hot or cold. We got a mix of warm and cool breezes that were really nice!
This campground is a true hidden gem. It’s a small
Primitive campground with vault toilets and dumpsters. Most of the sites sit of multiple
Levels as the grounds are sloped along the lake’s edge.
The lake front sites have direct beach access.
We were blown away when we arrived. A truly amazing destination.
We stayed at site 10 which has a sloped driveway with a level platform at the lowest point. Our 25ft RV sat perfectly on the flat area. This site is on the waters edge and has a tiered area with table, bear locker and fire pit.
The water is clear and the crowds are minimal.
Very scenic campground along a river 15 minutes from Yosemite national park
Of the 3 small loops the rear one has the largest sites. I was 50 yards from the restroom and 100 yards from my neighbor in July. You can hear the creek nearby, not easily accessible through the brush. Given the crowds south on 395, a great lesser known place worth seeking. Just stayed overnight but pleasant enough for a longer stay.
Camping options near Long Barn, California range in elevation from 3,000 to 8,000 feet across the Stanislaus National Forest. The camping season typically extends from late April through October, with most forest service campgrounds closed during winter months due to snow accumulation. Road access varies significantly, with some campgrounds requiring travel on unpaved forest roads that may be impassable for larger vehicles.
Swimming access: 20-minute drive to Rainbow Pools from Yosemite Lakes RV Resort, which offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts. "We lucked out with a pretty big and shaded riverfront spot (site 73) and could not have been happier. Full hook up, VERY well maintained facilities and again the staff are over and above helpful," notes one camper.
Fishing opportunities: Rainbow trout available at multiple locations near Pinecrest Campground. "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," reports one visitor who rented a boat through the early bird special at half price.
Hiking trails: 2-3 hour loop around Pinecrest Lake accessible from nearby campgrounds. "The hike around the lake was beautiful too, roughly 2-3 hr hike with some great views," notes one camper. Several campgrounds provide trailhead access to forest service routes of varying difficulty.
Proximity to water features: Fraser Flat Campground receives consistent praise for its riverside location. "Very nice, loved camping right next to the river. Bathrooms were very clean," mentions one reviewer. This first-come, first-served campground maintains vault toilets that campers note are regularly serviced.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several campgrounds report regular wildlife sightings. "Bear came through our camp one night hit the Bear box and walked off. Rangers were friendly and very informative about the area," reports a camper at North Grove Campground. Bear boxes are provided at most developed sites in the region.
Evening activities: Multiple campgrounds offer night programming during summer months. "The kids really love the Amphitheatre where they play pretty good family friendly movies," writes a visitor about Pinecrest Campground. Some locations maintain community fire areas with organized activities for children.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "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," notes a Pinecrest visitor.
Road conditions: Access to remote sites requires preparation. The drive to Sand Bar Flat Campground involves "about 14 miles of dirt road to get to this campground and there were no signs last time I was here," according to one camper, who adds: "A basic truck or SUV would have an easy time driving down."
Bathroom facilities: Standards vary significantly between campgrounds. "Bathrooms are mediocre - there was no lights in them at night so you need a headlamp," reports a camper at Pinecrest. Many locations maintain vault toilets without running water, while others provide flush toilets with cold water taps.
Entertainment options: Yosemite Pines RV Resort provides multiple family amenities. "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," writes one visitor, noting that showers are free and usually clean.
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds offer wheelchair-friendly facilities. "Easy wheelchair access is nice. The trail around the camp ground is excellent if un even isn't for you.the trail it winds up at an improved fishing deck, wheelchair accessible," reports a Fraser Flat camper.
Campsite selection: For families seeking more space, certain areas offer advantages. "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," explains a Pinecrest visitor, who adds that tree coverage varies significantly between sites.
Hookup availability: Most forest service campgrounds lack hookups. "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," reports an RV camper at Pinecrest.
Site access: Meadowview provides more accommodating sites for larger vehicles. "Clean campsites close to Pinecrest Lake. Sites don't feel as close together as Pinecrest CG. Flush toilets and sinks, bear boxes, potable water," notes one visitor about this first-come, first-served option near Long Barn.
Connectivity challenges: Cell service remains limited at most campgrounds. "No cell service and the 'pay WIFI' did not work for us...but there is complimentary WiFi at the laundry to check in on things that works just fine," reports a Yosemite Lakes RV visitor, explaining that this allows guests to stay connected when necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Long Barn, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Long Barn, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 340 campgrounds and RV parks near Long Barn, CA and 35 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Long Barn, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Long Barn, CA is Pinecrest Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 18 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Long Barn, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 35 free dispersed camping spots near Long Barn, CA.
What parks are near Long Barn, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Long Barn, CA that allow camping, notably Stanislaus National Forest and Fall River Lake.
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