Pinecrest, CA

Pioneer Trail

Mountain viewsForestAlpineHikingFishingSwimmingMotor-boatingWildlife watchingDog-friendlyVault toiletsFire pitPicnic table

Availability

Each day shows how many of this campground’s sites are open.

About this spot

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.

Typical weather

Air temperature

Average daily high-low
Average daily high and low air temperature, January through DecemberEach vertical bar shows a monthly average daily high and low in degrees Fahrenheit.44°25°JJanuary: average high 44°F, average low 25°F43°24°FFebruary: average high 43°F, average low 24°F43°25°MMarch: average high 43°F, average low 25°F52°29°AApril: average high 52°F, average low 29°F63°38°MMay: average high 63°F, average low 38°F74°48°JJune: average high 74°F, average low 48°F83°56°JJuly: average high 83°F, average low 56°F80°53°AAugust: average high 80°F, average low 53°F73°48°SSeptember: average high 73°F, average low 48°F63°40°OOctober: average high 63°F, average low 40°F52°30°NNovember: average high 52°F, average low 30°F46°27°DDecember: average high 46°F, average low 27°F

5-year average · Open-Meteo

Pinecrest Lake

Estimated
Average water temperature
Average water temperature for Pinecrest Lake, January through DecemberEach point shows the monthly average water temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.39°JJanuary: average water temperature 39°F40°FFebruary: average water temperature 40°F43°MMarch: average water temperature 43°F48°AApril: average water temperature 48°F55°MMay: average water temperature 55°F63°JJune: average water temperature 63°F70°JJuly: average water temperature 70°F71°AAugust: average water temperature 71°F65°SSeptember: average water temperature 65°F57°OOctober: average water temperature 57°F47°NNovember: average water temperature 47°F41°DDecember: average water temperature 41°F

Nearby campgrounds