USDA Forest Service · California
Pioneer Trail
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 3
- Hookups
- 3 with water, 3 no hookups
- Season
- May 7 to October 19
- Max RV length
- 40 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 5,827 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · Verizon good · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- NFSR 04N35E · asphalt · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Stanislaus National Forest
- Address
- STANISLAUS, CA
- Phone
- 209-965-3474
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Swimming
3 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Pioneer Trail Group Campground offers groups of up to 100 people the opportunity to camp near the beautiful Pinecrest Lake. The campground is located within the Pinecrest Recreational Area just 2 miles from the lake, which beckons visitors with excellent fishing, boating, hiking and swimming opportunities.
In this spectacular mountain region, wildlife viewing opportunities include marmots, squirrels, coyotes and deer.
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 in designated beach areas.
Facilities
Campsites 1 and 3 will accommodate up to 50 campers and Site 2 will accommodate up to 100 campers. Each site features a large campfire circle, picnic tables and vault toilets.
No RV hookups or electricity are available. Pay showers are within a few miles. Winter camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Pets are welcome, but must be compliant with Tuolumne County leash laws.
Natural Features
Pioneer Trail sits at an elevation of 5,600 feet, in a wooded area near the southwest side of the 300-acre Pinecrest Lake in Stanislaus National Forest.
Stanislaus National Forest is located in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. It boasts gorgeous views of snow-capped mountain peaks and California's Great Central Valley.
Nearby Attractions
The nearby Sonora Pass is a scenic winding highway that has guided people across the Sierra Nevada since 1852.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45° | 28° | 12° | 62° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 43° | 26° | 8° | 60° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 45° | 28° | 13° | 73° | 10 of 11 |
| April | 49° | 30° | 0° | 65° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 62° | 39° | 20° | 76° | 3 of 11 |
| June | 75° | 49° | 32° | 90° | 1 of 11 |
| July | 84° | 57° | 45° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 82° | 56° | 50° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 75° | 50° | 39° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 67° | 41° | 25° | 81° | 4 of 10 |
| November | 54° | 35° | 13° | 71° | 6 of 10 |
| December | 45° | 27° | 9° | 63° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Pinecrest · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 196 sites
- Meadowview Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 100 sites
- TeleLi puLaya (Black Oak) Campground · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi
- Fraser Flat Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
- Herring Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.