Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Stanislaus National Forest

Join the fun near Stanislaus National Forest. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Find the best campgrounds near Stanislaus National Forest, CA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Stanislaus National Forest (203)

    1. Pinecrest Campground

    18 Reviews
    Long Barn, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 965-3116

    $40 / night

    "This is a nice campground on Pinecrest Lake near Sonora Pass in Stanislaus National Forest."

    "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."

    2. North Grove Campground — Calaveras Big Trees State Park

    22 Reviews
    Arnold, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 795-2334

    $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."

    3. Meadowview

    3 Reviews
    Stanislaus National Forest, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 965-3474

    $32 / night

    "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."

    4. Utica/Union Reservoirs

    6 Reviews
    Bear Valley, CA
    12 miles
    Website

    $16 / night

    "It's about a 3 hour drive from my home in the Bay Area, the Utica/ Union Reservoirs are right off the 4 highway and Spicer Reservoir Rd (roughly 20 miles north of Arnold, CA)."

    5. Bear Valley Dispersed Camping

    7 Reviews
    Sierraville, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 994-3401

    "Lots of trails to ride your bike and walk."

    "Bear valley is my favorite place to go camping, the most you get close to the top of the mountain, the most curvy the road is, so be prepare."

    6. Utica Campgrounds

    4 Reviews
    Bear Valley, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 532-3671

    $16 / night

    "Even the farthest spot is just a minute walk to the water. But there are only a handful of spots, so make sure you get here as early as you can to secure a spot."

    "You can find beautiful, isolated sites on the islands all around the lake. Great hammock camping!"

    7. Eagle Meadow Horse Camp

    2 Reviews
    Stanislaus National Forest, CA
    10 miles
    Website

    "There were a couple of other spots taken, but it was off the beaten path and very quiet. I was able to watch the sunset from some rocks across the road."

    8. Forest Route 4N39 Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Stanislaus National Forest, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (209) 459-9238

    9. Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes

    40 Reviews
    Eastman Lake, CA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Thousand Trails Membership allows me to stay 21 days free. Just 5 miles outside of Yosemite Entrance or Catch the bus right here at the campground. Campfires allowed. Lots of activities for the kids."

    "Whip out your wallet and empty on it on the check-in desk of this thousand trails (or whatever) park."

    10. Silver Lake West

    10 Reviews
    Bear Valley, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 644-2792

    $30 / night

    "With great sites, some close to the creek, friendly camp hosts, and an abundance of nearby activities, this is a must."

    "You can walk to the pot holes for a swim or cross the street to one of the most beautiful lakes. It’s close to lots of trails. Easy access. Has bear boxes and fire rings."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 203 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Stanislaus National Forest

1503 Reviews of 203 Stanislaus National Forest Campgrounds


  • Warren K.
    Sep. 7, 2016

    Pinecrest Campground

    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.

  • Ruben N.
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Pinecrest Campground

    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.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 17, 2019

    Hermit Valley Campground

    Beautiful area

    Dispersed camping, with several campsites available. Historically this was the location of a pack station supplying goods to the silver mines over the pass. Many opportunities for fishing and hiking here. It is rustic, with no freshwater or garbage service. Located in the Stanislaus National Forest.

  • Kristine K.
    Aug. 29, 2016

    Hermit Valley Campground

    Hermit Valley

    Got to see great big Sequoia trees in Calvaras big trees State Park and then camped for Free in the Stanislaus National Forest. It's right off the road but if you need a place to stay and don't mind no amenities it's great

  • Gurn B.
    Jun. 26, 2018

    Meadowview Campground

    2.5 to be exact

    This place is barely worth the fee. Overall the grounds are neglected, bathrooms are sketchy, and sites are crammed together. Traffic noise from CA108 is also a bumr. But it is 5500' up in the beautiful Stanislaus National Forest, so it's got that going for it... 2.5/5

  • Steve & Ashley  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2019

    Dimond O Campground

    National Forest Dispersed Camping

    We stayed here for one night to stage before entering Yosemite National Park. The Stanislaus National Forest. They have a great ranger station with detailed maps of the logging roads and campsites. We camped just on the logging road next to Diamond O. The trees burned a few years back during the big Yosemite Fire. So, it not the most scenic site but we had the area to ourselves and we’re happy to get a place so close to Yosemite. No facilities here and you need a permit from the ranger station for some of these sites. The area is popular for dispersed campers in waiting to get a spot in Yosemite National Park.

  • Heather D.
    Oct. 31, 2021

    Three Links Camp

    Awesome for families!

    Three Links Camp is a private campground just below Stanislaus National Forest on 108. The campground has dorms for families/groups (a building with bunk beds and a bathroom) and tent and full-hookup RV sites. 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! There’s also a pool, but it was closed for the season. They’re open year-round, so we might return for a snow visit! The hosts were nice, the rates are affordable, and there is cell service (ATT) and WiFi if you don’t want to unplug completely.

    I feel like I should note the owners are new and not the ones who were there for the review below mine. They’ve done a lot of work to better the campsite!

  • J
    May. 17, 2018

    Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging

    Good Place for Kids

    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.

    The showers are free and usually clean although on Saturday evening the campground was full and the bathrooms were dirty and out of TP.

    There are tent sites, RV sites and cabins so something for everyone.

    There were A LOT of stray cats on the property which kind of drove our dog crazy. But at least the campground is pet friendly.

    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. The kids can jump and swim there and that's all they really want to do anyway so being close to that is key for us. So many of the places in the park where we used to get in the water do not allow swimming anymore.

  • k
    Aug. 15, 2021

    Jackson Rancheria RV Park

    Love it here

    We love how clean it is, and the staff is friendly. The surrounding areas are woodsy and our dogs love the dog park!


Guide to Stanislaus National Forest

Discover the joy of camping with your furry friends near Stanislaus National Forest in California, where several campgrounds welcome pets and offer a range of amenities and activities for an unforgettable outdoor experience.

Tips for camping with dogs near Stanislaus National Forest

  • Ensure your pet is comfortable around other campers by keeping them leashed at all times, especially at the well-reviewed North Grove Campground — Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
  • Bring plenty of water and snacks for your dog, as facilities like showers and drinking water may not be available at all sites, such as at Pinecrest Campground.
  • Familiarize your pet with the campground layout to help them feel secure; the spacious sites at River Ranch Campground provide ample room for exploration.

Dog-friendly activities while camping near Stanislaus National Forest

  • Enjoy scenic hikes with your dog along the trails near Silver Lake West, where you can explore the beautiful surroundings together.
  • Take your pet for a refreshing swim in the nearby lakes, such as at Utica/Union Reservoirs, which offer great access to water activities.
  • Engage in fishing or kayaking while your dog relaxes by your side at the picturesque Pine Marten Campground, where the atmosphere is both welcoming and serene.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Stanislaus National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Stanislaus National Forest is Pinecrest Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 18 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Stanislaus National Forest?

TheDyrt.com has all 203 dog-friendly camping locations near Stanislaus National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.