Pinecrest Lake Camping

Tuolumne County

Pinecrest Lake, Tuolumne County, California
Pinecrest Lake, Tuolumne County, California

Pinecrest Lake Camping

Tuolumne County


Pinecrest Lake Camping

Pinecrest
Lake Map

The two National Forest campgrounds at Pinecrest Lake are operated by the Dodge Ridge Corporation, which owns the Dodge Ridge Ski Area. Very popular in the summer, the two campgrounds are often filled to capacity. Reservations are required for Pinecrest Campground in the summer months, while Meadowview Campground is first-come, first-served.

Pinecrest Lake has many activities available for campers, including outdoor movies, ranger programs, bicycle rentals, and a Junior Ranger program.

Most nearby National Forest campgrounds lack the amenities found at Pinecrest, but a well-appointed, new campground - TeleLi puLaya (Black Oak Flat) - opened near Beardsley Reservoir in 2014. And for those willing to drive another half hour up the Sonora Pass Highway, many excellent campsites can be found on the Clark Fork, around Dardanelle, and near Kennedy Meadows. For more information on those campgrounds, see Sonora Pass Vacations.

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Pinecrest Campground

Location: Adjacent to Pinecrest Lake
Campground Facilities: Nearly 200 Campsites, Flush Toilets, Piped Water
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Table, Fire Ring
Season: Opens April 25, 2014, closes mid-October
Reservations Required May 9 - mid-September: (877) 444-6777 or
Recreation.gov - Pinecrest Campground
Fees: $36 for single site for 6 people
Nearby Facilities: Pinecrest Lake, Marina, Store, Showers, Beach, Amphitheater

Meadowview Campground

Location: Near Pinecrest Lake
Campground Facilities: 100 Sites, Flush Toilets, Piped Water
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Tables, Fire Rings
Reservations: None
Season: May - mid-October
Fees: $34 for single site for 6 people
Nearby Facilities: Pinecrest Lake, Marina, Store, Showers

Pioneer Trail Group Campground

Location: 1 mile from Pinecrest on Dodge Ridge Road
Campground Facilities: 3 Group Sites which accommodate 50 - 75 people, Piped Water, Vault Toilets
Campsite Amenities: Multiple Picnic Tables, Large Fire Rings
Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or
Recreation.gov - Pioneer Trail Group Campground
Season: Year-round, no services in winter ($2 per person in winter for groups over 20)
Summer Fees: $105 - $145 per night
Nearby Facilities: Pinecrest Lake

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Nearby Campgrounds

Beardsley Dam Campground

Location: On the shore of Beardsley Reservoir
Campground Facilities: 16 Campsites, Vault Toilets, No Potable Water
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Tables, Grills
Reservations: None
Season: Mid-April through mid-October
Fees: $20
Nearby Facilities: Beardsley Reservoir

TeleLi puLaya Campground

TeleLi puLaya Campground (Black Oak Flat Campground) is a relatively new campground near Beardsley Reservoir. The campground is located 5 miles down from Highway 108 on the Beardsley Reservoir Road
Campground Facilities: 22 Campsites (2 of which are group sites), vault toilets, No Potable Water
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Table, metal fire ring, food locker
Reservations: None
Season: Late April through mid-October
Fees: $20 per single site, $50 for group sites

Herring Creek Campground

Location: On Herring Creek Road near Herring Creek Reservoir, 12 miles from Pinecrest Lake
Campground Facilities: 7 Campsites, No Water, Vault Toilets
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Table, Grill
Reservations: None
Season: Usually late May - October
Fees: None

Herring Reservoir Campground

Location: On Herring Creek Road near Herring Creek Reservoir, 11 miles from Pinecrest Lake
Campground Facilities: 42 Campsites, No Water, Vault Toilets
Campsite Amenities: Picnic Tables, Some Grills
Reservations: None
Season: Usually late May - October
Fees: None



Pinecrest Campground, Pinecrest Lake, Tuolumne County, California

Pinecrest Campground



Pinecrest Chalet RV Campsites

500 Dodge Ridge Road, Pinecrest, CA
(209) 965-3276
Website: Pinecrest Chalet
The Pinecrest Chalet is family oriented resort near Pinecrest Lake.
Resort Facilities: Swimming Pool, Amphitheatre, WiFi, Outdoor Sports
The Pinecrest Chalet has 10 RV Campsites, 4 with full hook-ups, 6 with electric only.
Reservations: (209) 965-3276

Pinecrest Camping Amenities

Showers: Pay showers located next to the Pinecrest Store may have been discontinued.

Supplies: The Pinecrest Campground Kiosk sells ice and firewood. The Pinecrest General Store has basic food supplies while the sporting goods store next door offers fishing tackle and licenses along with other sporting goods.

Dump Station: Located appropriately enough, at the dump, off Highway 108, a half mile west of the Summit Ranger Station, open Monday - Saturday.


Pinecrest Lake Activities


Outdoor Movies

Several nights per week during the summer moths Outdoor Movies are shown at the Pinecrest Lake Amphitheatre. Admission is $7.50 per person (3 years old and younger free). The movies are always first-run, famil-oriented films. Popcorn, candy, and cold drinks are sold as refreshments.

Campfire Programs

A couple of times a week campfire programs at put on at the Pinecrest Lake Amphitheater. These may include sing-alongs, musical groups, stories from Native Americans, or talks about animals.

Daytime Ranger Programs

During the summer there are Junior Ranger programs, crafts and songs for children, Native American crafts and stories, and nature hikes.

Star Gazing

Once a week an amateur astronomer leads Star Gazing programs at Bald Mountain, several miles back down Highway 108.

Hike Around the Lake

4 miles. Good trail, well-marked.

Swimming

Pinecrest Lake has several beach areas along the western edge of the lake. There are no lifeguards on duty. The swimming area is marked off with buoys.