Pinecrest Lake Campground Stanislaus National Forest California
Pinecrest Lake Overview
Pinecrest Lake Campground has 198 single-family campsites (mixed use), with many shaded by trees in the high-altitude air of the Pinecrest Basin. The campground is located near the southwest side of the 300-acre Pinecrest Lake. There are no RV hookups. Each campsite also has a paved parking spur, table, fire ring and grill. You can stay up to 14 consecutive days and the maximum occupancy is six people per campsite.
Campground amenities include drinking water and flush toilets. Water spigots are locvated throughout the campground. There’s also a camp store, marina and group picnic areas at the day use/beach area. Firewood, ice, groceries and supplies are sold at the store.
There is also a free boat overflow lot next to the campgrounds near D Loop. You can also park trailers near the entrance to the campground by the general store.
Pinecrest Lake – Area Recreation
The main attraction here is Pinecrest Lake which is quite popular for fishing. The lake also has a day-use beach and a marina, small shopping center and cabins for rent. In addition to fishing and boating, you can bike, hike, picnic, swim, horseback ride or just kick back and enjoy the wildlife.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park is just 62 miles away and has 109 campsites available.
Make a Reservation for Pinecrest Lake
Amenities
- Amphitheater
- Bait Shop
- BBQ Grills
- Boat Launch/Ramp
- Boat Ramp
- Boat Rental
- Cafe
- Camp Store
- Campfire Center
- Campground Host
- Campsite Tables
- Cell Service - None
- Concession Stand
- Concessionaire
- Drinking Water
- Dump Station
- Equestrian trail
- Equipment Rentals
- Fire Pit
- Fire Rings
- Firewood Available
- Fish Cleaning Station
- Food Storage Locker
- Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
- Grills
- Ice
- Marina
- Pets OK
- Picnic Tables
- Ranger Station
- Rentals
- Restaurant
- Restrooms (Flush Toilets)
- Snack Bar
- Vending Machines
- Visitor Center
- WiFi
- Wood
Activities
- Backpacking
- Beach
- Beach Access
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Boating
- Boating (non motorized)
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historic Sites
- Horseback riding
- Kayaking
- Lake
- Mountain Biking
- Nature Trails
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Stargazing
- Swimming
- Visitor Center
- Walking Trails
- Water Sports
- Wildlife Viewing
Pinecrest , California 95364
209 965-3116
Lat / Long:
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Pinecrest Lake Availability Alerts
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Campsite Types
- ADA
- Cabin
- RV
- Tent
- Trailer
# of Campsites:
198
Season:
Mid April – October
Elevation:
5,600
Pinecrest Lake Comments & Reviews
Visited Pinecrest Lake Campground lately? We'd love to hear about your adventure. Did you find us useful? Did we forget something? Anything our community should know before heading out to Pinecrest Lake?
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campsitephotos.com
Pinecrest is a great place for the family. I’ve been going there since I was a kid and now take my kids there. Its very popular and getting a reservation is very difficult. Its best to avoid going there in July or August as there are just too many people there. Parking near the lake is impossible during these months. What makes Pinecrest nice is everything that it has to offer. I’d highly advise visiting in the late spring or early fall to enjoy it without the ridiculous crowds.
Are there any campsites for boat to stay on shore of lake at campsite?
Hi Lori,
CampsitePhotos.com is not associated with any of the campgrounds listed on our website. We just provide the photos and a little more information. As far as we know – all camping is limited to designated campground/campsites only and there are no boat in campsites. You can double check by calling the campground/ranger at: 209 965-3116.
No – boats have to be pulled out every day – there is a Marina but the slips are not available to campers.
Actually it is a little known fact that you can indeed rent a boat slip. Plan early though for best availability. Contact the marina.
Hello do you know if campgrounds will be open for memorial weekend 2020?
Hi Jenifer,
Pinecrest Lake Campground is closed through May 31 unfortunately. Based on Rec.gov’s reservation calendar, it looks to be reopening June 1, but that could change.
There is a free boat overflow lot next to the campgrounds near D Loop. You can also park trailers near the entrance to the campground by the general store. This lake is a speed restricted lake and has a lot of rocks so a large boat is absolutely not reccomended! Trailer space is LIMITED!
Thanks Brian! We will add this info to the Pinecrest Lake page.
Cool place for a day trip too! Sorry Bob this time you can’t go.. Lol
Do the sites have any electrical outlets ?
Hi Rob,
There are no electric hookups (our outlets) at the campsites at Pinecrest Lake campground. The restrooms should have electric outlets.
Thank you
Hi, you have a best campsite list. How do you determine ‘best’.
Hi Abbie,
Generally we will pick the best campsites out of a particular campground based on location, location, location – as in the view. We also look at the size, privacy of the site (proximity to other campsites), and if it is relatively flat and ‘user friendly’. Hope this helps!
We have a reservation in a few weeks in a loop. We have a 36’ motorhome just was wondering if any one has experience with taking such a large motorhome into the campground. I just want to make sure I will be able to make it into and out of our site.
Is water available for my trailer? thanks for your reply.
Hi Sharon,
We’re not sure if Pinecrest Lake campground has a water spigot where trailers/RVs can fill up. I recommend calling the campground to find out at: 209 965-3116
Is there an area for a group? We would like to do a family reunion.
Hi Linda,
There is not any group campsites at Pinecrest Lake campground, but there are group picnic areas in the day use / beach area at Pinecrest Lake (next to campground). Hope this helps!
Love this place, very kid friendly too. Don’t know if the campground is open right now?? If someone knows please let me know. Thank you and stay safe.
Hi Jonathan, Yes, Pinecrest Lake campground and area are sure nice! The campground is still closed, but we are hearing (finger’s crossed) that it, and other USFS campgrounds in California should be opening up later in May.
Are you open now? if so, do you have any COVID19 social distancing recommendations or new rules or new guidelines?
Hi Stephanie,
Pinecrest Lake campground is closed through June 15, reopening June 16.
Pinecrest Lake campground opened 6/12, a little early.
Great news – thanks Jewels!
Hi! Are the trails for hiking around the lake open?
Hi Brittney,
Yes the trails around Pinecrest Lake area open for hiking.
Pinecrest Lake – where everything is made up and the rules don’t matter. They are not enforcing any of their social distancing rules that I received several notifications about. There are literally about 15 people gathering in the site next to us at any given time. Day use is packed and the beach is inaccessible until 6 pm if you don’t want crowds. The day use is completely unregulated with dogs everywhere and people parking until past midnight and pulling back in as early as 6 AM. We got knocked for leaving trash in our firepit (which we picked up) but garbage abounds in the day use. Pinecrest, I love you and I have been camping here since I was a child but you need to do better.
Don’t go outside if you’re scared of the Fauci disease.
uncalled for
Are the showers still available now with the Corona?
Hi Rick,
Unfortunately, showers are not available at Pinecrest campground.
The summer of 2020, there were not allowing any fires, propane stoves or lanterns. Will this be the case again this summer? Makes it hard to cook when you are tent camping.
Hi Patti,
Unfortunately the winter has been pretty dry (not much snow). If that continues there will most likely be extreme fire conditions again throughout the Sierra and state. If so, campfires will not e permitted.
Hi there – will the Pinecrest Store showers be open for the 2021 season?
HI Sam,
We’re not aware of any showers at Pinecrest campground.
They got rid of the showers….
Hi Tiana,
Thanks for the info on the Pinecrest Lake campground showers. We will update our information.
Does anyone know if a 30 foot trailer can make the turns for sites B31 and A57? I know the site says it accommodates 30 feet but I have learned that the roads do not.
There needs to be priority for us “Senior Citizens” who are 62 years and above WITH a “Lifetime Pass” in booking a Reservation PRIOR to the indicated booking booking window.
We are not as quick at reserving sites on our computers.
I quit trying to call in obtaining a reservation because
Number 1, the wait time on the phone is long & by then everything is already reserved. It just seems unfair for many of the elderly. One of us is disabled & it seems that the disabled should also have priority.
If you can please consider all what I have requested in the name of us “Senior Citizens and fairness & respect we deserve and need.
Hi Reed,
I like and agree with your suggestion! However, CampsitePhotos.com does not handle the campground reservations. We provide the photos of each campsites, camping info and campsite availability alerts. For Pinecrest Lake – you’ll need to submit your idea/suggestion to Recreation.gov.
How about they give people with disabilities first dibs then senior citizens? At least access to maybe 25% of the sites before the rest of the herd. This should be the standard for all national parks.
Pinecrest is such a beautiful place but it needs to be updated. Pinecrest really needs to build new bathrooms like the ones where the Lake is located & at least 3 showers. I am glad that the showers by the store are not being used. Those definitely are in bad shape.
I have a big concern about going up the hill by D53. I see young adults and children just racing down that hill in their scooters, bikes, and skateboards, losing control and getting injured pretty bad. I can’t even tell you how many times people have almost gotten hit by them speeding down that hill. It is such a hazard. Where are the parents in all of this? Just sharing that something needs to be done about that hill. No matter how many times I have said, “This is not a race track, many continue to do it again and again. I just don’t want anyone else to get injured. We are there to relax. have a good time and abide by the rules. Thank you… Any comments about this?