USDA Forest Service · California
(Lake Alpine) Lodgepole Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 20
- Hookups
- 19 no hookups
- Season
- June 26 to September 27
- Max RV length
- 46 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 7,352 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T good · Verizon good · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- NFSR 07N12YA · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Stanislaus National Forest
- Nearest town
- Bear Valley
- Address
- STANISLAUS, CA
- Phone
- 209-753-6350
- Activities
- Backpacking, Boating, Camping, Climbing, Day Use Area, Disc Golf, Fishing, Hiking, Interpretive Programs, Kayaking, Motor Boat, Mountain Climbing
20 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Lodgepole Group Campground is located just two miles west of Lake Alpine in northern California. The campground affords breathtaking views of the surrounding Stanislaus National Forest.
Campground may open earlier and close later on a first come first serve basis as weather (snow level) allows. This information will be posted on this page as soon as it becomes available.
The current dates for reservations have historically allowed for comfortable camping, but please take into consideration the high alpine location when making a reservation. It is possible to have snow, rain, mud, and overall cold/wet conditions any time of year.
Recreation
Lake Alpine provides a wide variety of recreation opportunities. Hike, bike, or ride a horse on Bear Valley, an accessible trail that winds along the lakeshore to the community of Bear Valley. It connects with the historic Emigrant Trail, the route pioneers once traveled via covered wagon to settle in California.
Interpretive programs are offered by Forest Service rangers during the summer months.
Facilities
Campsites with room for up to 6 people, 3 tents, and 2 vehicles per campsite. Picnic tables, campfire rings, toilets are available. Hot showers and laundromat available at nearby Lake Alpine Lodge. No electricity or hook-ups. Pets are welcome. Firewood, camping and fishing supplies, food, and apparel is available in the general store at Lake Alpine Lodge.
Natural Features
Lodgepole Campground is situated on a large, flat plain, not far from a creek. It sits at an elevation of 7,290 feet, within the Stanislaus National Forest in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains. The forest lies between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite and boasts gorgeous views of snow-capped peaks and California's Great Central Valley.
A wide variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including marmots, squirrels, coyotes, deer and many birds.
Nearby Attractions
A restaurant, bar, general store, and boat rentals can be found at nearby Lake Alpine Lodge. The immediate area is suited for forest and wilderness recreation. A short car ride away is Big Trees State Park, Grover Hot Springs, Mercer Caverns, Mountain Adventure Seminars, and the wine country of Calaveras County.
Fees
Fees will NOT be waived for things like changes in weather, or naturally occurring wildlife in the area.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40° | 22° | 0° | 55° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 38° | 22° | 7° | 52° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 40° | 25° | 6° | 67° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 45° | 27° | 3° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 57° | 34° | 15° | 68° | 9 of 11 |
| June | 69° | 44° | 26° | 85° | 2 of 11 |
| July | 80° | 52° | 41° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 79° | 51° | 47° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 71° | 45° | 34° | 79° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 63° | 36° | 18° | 77° | 7 of 10 |
| November | 48° | 30° | 7° | 67° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 39° | 24° | 5° | 60° | 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
- (Lake Alpine) Silver Tip Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 22 sites
- (Lake Alpine) West Shore · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 25 sites
- (Lake Alpine) Pine Marten · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 32 sites
- (Lake Alpine) Backpackers · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 8 sites
- (Lake Alpine) Silver Valley Campground · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 21 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.