Pinecrest

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18 Pinecrest Lake Road
PINECREST, CA 95364

Overview

Pinecrest features a large campground by Pinecrest Lake, just 30 miles east of Sonora, at an elevation of 5600 feet. The area includes a day-use beach and a marina, a small shopping center and recreation cabins. The campground caters to all ages and is within walking distance of the lake, an amphitheater, visitor center, swimming beach and spectacular hiking trails. Pets are welcome, but must be compliant with Tuolumne County leash laws.

Recreation

The Pinecrest Lake National Recreation Trail takes hikers on an easy 4-mile stroll around Pinecrest Lake. Rainbow trout is a common catch in the lake and swimming is enjoyed at the sandy beach. Educational programs are also a highlight of the recreation area. Bike rentals are on hand so campers can bike around the area.

Facilities

Amenities for each site includes a paved parking pad, picnic table and campfire ring. Drinking water is handy and restrooms have flush toilets, sinks and a utility sink. No RV hookups area available and no showers. At the entrance of the campground is a kiosk to help with additional questions and where campground reservation check in will happne. Ice and fire wood is for sale here.

Natural Features

Many campsites are shaded by trees and sit near the southwest side of the 300-acre Pinecrest Lake in Stanislaus National Forest. In this beautiful mountain landscape, wildlife viewing opportunities include marmots, squirrels, coyotes and deer.

Stanislaus National Forest is situated in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. The area boasts gorgeous views of snow-capped mountain peaks and California's Great Central Valley.

Nearby Attractions

Located in the nearby area are several activities. There are ample hiking trails, horseback riding, fishing, mountain bike riding, and water activities. Pinecrest lake is a boating and swimming recreation area with restaurants, stores, boat rentals, and an outdoor movie theater. Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort is a ski area in the winter and in the summer is a basecamp for mountain biking, hiking, and a great indoor/outdoor BBQ. Aspen Meadow Pack Station is three miles from Pinecrest Lake and offers horseback rides and trail head for hiking. Kennedy Meadows is 30 miles east of Pinecrest and offers great river access for fishing, horse bike rides, hiking, and restaurants. Sonora Pass, a scenic winding highway that has guided people across the Sierra Nevada since 1852, is located nearby.

Camp site features

Across 196 camp sites:

  • Pets allowed: all 196 sites
  • Longest rig: 48 ft
  • Largest party: 6 people
  • Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

Directions

From Sonora, take Highway 108 east for 30 miles, take the Pinecrest exit onto Pinecrest Lake Road and continue to the campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

1,061 reviews
5 stars
648
4 stars
224
3 stars
108
2 stars
51
1 stars
30
Chieb S
Loop:A
Site:
Reviewed 5 days ago
Pinecrest is a beautiful but very crowded. Campsites are right next to each other with no privacy. This site is close to the water spigot and bathroom. Site is spacious with shaded area throughout the day. It’s also far from the lake , about a 15 minute walk. Bring a wagon if you’re planning to bring a lot of stuff. Check in is 2pm and checkout is 11am.
Rebecca K
Loop:A
Site:
Reviewed 6 days ago
We've been coming here for years, this year our summer trip was not the best. Facilities are very run down and not taken care of. Management is not very good
LYNN W
Loop:A
Site:
Reviewed 7 days ago
Employees in the check-in kiosk were very helpful!
Athena T
Loop:D
Site:
Reviewed 7 days ago
The bathrooms were clean! The park was full, and the campers were messy. Campers left trash lying around, but the staff was friendly and worked hard to keep the facilities clean. The bathrooms were swept up in the evening, cleaned in the morning, and smelled pleasant for our entire stay. Pinecrest Campground is a gem.
Luis H
Loop:B
Site:
Reviewed 8 days ago
Very beautiful place to camp. It is very hard to get a campground here but worth it. I will say I have been coming to Pinecrest for years and it keeps getting busier every year. Although I did not pickup a spot closer to the lake this camp site was great for our party of 6. Large enough for 3 big tents. The eestrooms in the campsite closest to us were clean and lighted. I will say that the one thing that although I know and understand why checking starts at 2pm it would be nice for the campsite to allow.people to check in as early as available. We showed up around 12pm and there was no where to legally park. I went around for 30 mins then went to camping checkun window to ask if we could park at our reserved camp site as there was no parking and we were told to come back at 2pm. We drove around for 1 hour and 45 minutes looking for parking on a Saturday non Holiday!
Marti K
Loop:C
Site:
Reviewed 9 days ago
Bathrooms were clean No excess garbage at dumpsters
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Popularity: Very busy

Busiest in August, when about 91% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 8 years of reservations.

Camp Sites

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