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Camping near Stanislaus National Forest

1,503 Reviews

The Stanislaus National Forest has camping that ranges from established state parks to remote forest sites. Calaveras Big Trees State Park sits within the forest boundaries and is known for its giant sequoias and hiking trails that wind through the massive trees. You can soak in natural hot springs at Grover Hot Springs State Park Campground after a day of hiking. The Stanislaus NF Andrea A area gives you more quiet camping with fewer people around and thick forest surrounding the sites. Many trails cut through the forest, taking you to waterfalls and viewpoints worth the hike. The rivers and lakes throughout the area are good for fishing if you bring your gear. Spring and fall bring the best weather and fewer crowds, with colorful foliage in autumn. Winter brings snow that can make some roads impassable without chains or 4WD. Summer gets busy, particularly on weekends when spots fill up fast. Most sites come with basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, but many lack water and power hookups. The forest has plenty of wildlife—keep your food secure since deer and bears frequent the area. The small towns near the forest have some interesting historical sites if you need a break from camping. Always check current conditions before your trip, as fire bans and closures change throughout the year. Taking out your trash and minimizing your impact helps keep the forest in good shape for everyone.

Map showing campgrounds near Stanislaus National Forest, CaliforniaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Stanislaus National Forest (359)

    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."

    "It’s beauty and trees are unmatched anywhere in California. It is perfect for hiking, exploring, and nearby fishing."

    3. Fraser Flat Campground

    6 Reviews
    Long Barn, CA
    6 miles
    Website

    "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."

    4. 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."

    5. Wa Ka Luu Hep Yoo Campground

    7 Reviews
    Camp Connell, CA
    13 miles
    Website

    "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"

    6. Sand Bar Flat Campground

    5 Reviews
    Long Barn, CA
    9 miles
    Website

    "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"

    7. 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)."

    8. Clark Fork Campground

    7 Reviews
    Bear Valley, CA
    15 miles
    Website

    "Clark's Fork is a large campground with 88 sites – all of which are situated with lots of space so that you aren’t too close to your neighbors."

    "It’s a nice quiet place away from cell service and nice hikes you can do."

    9. Cascade Creek Campground

    2 Reviews
    Bear Valley, CA
    3 miles
    Website

    10. Meadowview Campground

    2 Reviews
    Long Barn, CA
    4 miles
    Website
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Recent Camping Photos near Stanislaus National Forest

624 Photos of 359 Stanislaus National Forest Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Stanislaus National Forest

1503 Reviews of 359 Stanislaus National Forest Campgrounds

  • Victoria S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    Serene Camping

    There were definitely a few long term campers here. But the place was very clean. No cell service fyi. Easy to get to, road is dirt but has very few bumps.

  • Victoria S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Buckeye Campground

    Great spot!

    You can get there on 2WD, it’s a bit bumpy though. Don’t go all the way up, there’s fees at the reserved spots. There’s dispersed camping shortly after you pass the hot springs, there’s a small field where people park and if you go to the road on the side of the lot it’ll take you to more spots to camp in the trees.

    The smoke was so bad I had to leave early. Be sure to check for fires nearby.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Lower Blue Lake Campground

    Beautiful location!

    My cousins and I stayed in sites one through three. They are extremely close to the lake, near the dam. We were able to leave our chairs and kayaks down by the water, and felt totally secure. we were able to kayak down to the other end of the lake, where there is a small waterfall. our sites had to be reserved, but there are some FCFS sites as well. Pit bathrooms are OK. The portable water spigot was broken, so we had to get some water from Middle blue lake Campground, about a mile away. The water issues is the only reason I am taking a star off, this place is beautiful, and we are definitely coming back. A couple of the sites will accommodate, decent sized rigs.

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Mormon Emigrant Trail Dispersed Pull Off

    Good spot for a night or two but nothing here

    Easy to get to and easy to park at although not a great spot for tents. Unfortunately there was a massive fire here and there is nothing to look at but burned out trees.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Virginia Lake Rd. Boondocking

    So beautiful

    It was just so nice, I don’t know if it was dispersed camping cause the location takes you to Virginia creek and there is a long road with lots of space like it’s a legit campground but no one there to check and no signs that you had to pay. I went there on Labor Day weekend so it was busy everywhere, this place had a ton of spots open though. No one bothered us. Each spot had a bear food containers and access to a little creek. So you heard water running while you go to sleep. Loved it so much so peaceful.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes

    A good campground for full hook

    The bathrooms and showers are clean. The sites are a little tight. My Wi-Fi was Starlink so I don’t know how the camp Wi-Fi was.

  • Jacqueline G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Dispersed USFS

    Worth the climbs to get here!!

    This is full wilderness camping off the main road between hope valley and the blue lakes. I had no problem getting in with my 30ft bus towing a jeep but the road is steep and winding for about 7 miles to the pull off. There were a lot of other campers for Labor Day weekend but the rest of the time there was no one around. Jugs of water can be filled at the campgrounds about 5 miles in each direction. PLEASE NOTE: There are prolonged climbs to get here (up to about 8% grade) but my bus did fine. Slow and steady and you’ll be fine. Also WATCH THE WEATHER! Rain can cause spots of the road in to get washed out a bit and deep puddles can appear. There are loads of rocks and fallen trees around to fill in holes if needed. If you’re moderate to high clearance rig you’ll be fine just be mindful. The Blue Lakes are just down the road for swimming, boating, kayaking etc and lots of amazing 4x4 trails. Rivers for fishing and endless hiking and biking. Elevation is 8300ft so definitely a bit high. The trees help with the air however. Not nearly as tough as the high desert of Utah (Zion or Brice) but just take it easy if you’re not used to high altitude.

  • Rajesh N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Scotts Lake Rd Dispersed Camping

    Great area for car camping

    It is a great site just near the road. We arrived on Monday afternoon and there were lots of places. There were other people but everyone has enough space. There’s a pit restroom which seems comparatively new. We didn’t get bugs problems. We car camped.

Guide to Stanislaus National Forest

Camping near Stanislaus National Forest, California, offers a mix of stunning scenery and outdoor fun. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the many trails in the area. Campers have enjoyed the "beautiful river nearby; pretty easy in and out for small-ish RVs" at North Grove Campground — Calaveras Big Trees State Park. The trails are great for families and offer a chance to see local wildlife.
  • Fishing: Many campers have had success fishing in the nearby lakes. One visitor at Buckeye Campground mentioned, "We chose campsite 63 it was next to a stream," making it easy to catch some fish for dinner.
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for deer and turkeys. A camper at Indian Grinding Rock State Historical Park Campground noted, "Plenty of wildlife to see in the day use area as well."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Crowded Campsites: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A camper at Hodgdon Meadow Campground — Yosemite National Park noted, "Quite busy and noisy, with generators going quite late."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have showers or electric hookups. For example, Yosemite Creek has no drinking water or showers, so plan accordingly.
  • Road Conditions: Some access roads can be rough. A visitor at Buckeye Campground mentioned, "The road in is dirt, depending on the winter season it can be a little rough."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for places with nearby lakes or trails. Campers at Pinecrest Campground enjoyed "the proximity to the lake and had a great hike around it."
  • Bring Entertainment: Some campgrounds have outdoor movie nights. A visitor at Pinecrest Campground mentioned, "Saturday nights they play outdoor movies at the Amphitheater."
  • Plan for Meals: Make sure to pack enough food, as some campgrounds lack markets. A camper at Yosemite Pines RV Resort noted, "There was a high volume of campers and it seemed they struggled a bit to keep up with the bathrooms."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the campsite. A visitor at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes mentioned, "We are in a 45 ft toy hauler and taking 120 up here was an ok drive."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Services: Some campgrounds may not have Wi-Fi or cell service. A camper at Yosemite Pines RV Resort said, "Cell service was non-existent - but such is life in the mountains."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials before arriving. A visitor at Hodgdon Meadow Campground noted, "Decent location, medium even camp spot, decent toilets, no shower."

Camping near Stanislaus National Forest, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a perfect spot for families and RVers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in Stanislaus National Forest?

Pinecrest Campground is highly rated, offering access to Pinecrest Lake with swimming, fishing for trout, and hiking trails circling the lake. The campground is well-maintained with nearby conveniences including a marina and store. For groups or families seeking spacious sites, Clark Fork Campground features 88 sites with ample spacing between neighbors and convenient double sites for larger parties. Loop A offers 25 particularly nice spots. Both campgrounds are seasonal, generally operating spring through fall due to winter snow conditions. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer weekends and holidays when these popular spots fill quickly.

Where can I find dispersed camping in Stanislaus National Forest?

Dispersed camping is available throughout Stanislaus National Forest, with Hermit Valley Campground offering several rustic sites with no freshwater or garbage service. This area has historical significance as a former pack station for silver mines. Another option is near Dimond O Campground, where you can camp along logging roads. The Stanislaus National Forest Ranger Station provides detailed maps of logging roads and dispersed camping areas. Remember that dispersed camping follows pack-in, pack-out principles. Most sites are accessible from Highway 108, and camping is typically allowed 100-200 feet from water sources and roads. Always check current forest regulations and fire restrictions before your trip.

Are there cabins available in Stanislaus National Forest?

While traditional Forest Service cabins are limited in Stanislaus National Forest, Three Links Camp offers private cabin-style accommodations just below the forest boundary on Highway 108. This facility features dorm-style buildings with bunk beds and bathrooms for families or groups. For those seeking more rustic options, the forest does contain some historic guard stations that are occasionally available for public rental through the Forest Service reservation system. These typically require advance booking, sometimes 6 months ahead. Near the forest, North Grove Campground at Calaveras Big Trees State Park provides alternative lodging options close to the magnificent sequoia groves.

What are the camping options along the Stanislaus River?

Sand Bar Flat Campground offers drive-in access with sites situated along the Stanislaus River, providing excellent fishing and swimming opportunities. For those seeking a quieter experience, Fraser Flat Campground features walk-in sites with water and toilet facilities in proximity to the river. Both campgrounds are typically open from late spring to early fall, depending on weather conditions. The river provides recreational activities including fishing, swimming, and tubing during summer months. Most river campgrounds require fees and may offer both reservable and first-come, first-served sites. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, so always check current regulations.

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