Union Democrat

CAMPING In the Mother Lode and High Sierra

Reservoirs/Fairgrounds

CAMANCHE RESERVOIR.

Situated between Amador and Calaveras counties, along the Mokelumne River, the East Bay Municipal Utilities District reservoir is popular for fishing and boating. Camping is available on the north and south shores. Reservations: www. camancherecreation.com. Information: (866) 763-5121

DON PEDRO RESERVOIR.

This reservoir, popular with boaters and anglers, is at the southwest end of Tuolumne County with two camping areas off La Grange Road and one off Highway 49/120. Tent site fees range from $20 to $31, RV site fees range from

$24 to $45. Reservations can be made on the Don Pedro Recreation Agency website, www. donpedrolake.com. Information: (209) 8522396.

• Blue Oaks. Ten miles south on La Grange Road from Highway 108 on the reservoir’s banks. Features: 195 tent sites, 34 partialhookup sites, water, restrooms with hot showers, boat ramp, dump station, fishing, swimming, boating. Dogs forbidden.

• Fleming Meadows. Ten miles south on La Grange Road from Highway 108, on the banks of Don Pedro. Features: 89 full-hookup sites, 173 tent sites, swimming lagoon, boat ramp, restrooms with hot showers, marina, camp store, fishing, boating. Dogs forbidden. • Moccasin Point. Five miles east of Chinese Camp, on Highway 120 on the reservoir’s banks. Features: 18 hookup sites, 62 tent sites, restrooms with hot showers, water, boat ramp, marina. Dogs forbidden.

FROGTOWN RV PARKING.

At the Calaveras County fairgrounds, 2465 Gun Club Road, off Highway 49 south of Angels Camp. Features: full-hookup sites, $35 daily, wireless highspeed Internet. Dry camping is also available at the ballfield near the livestock exhibition areas. Information: www.frogtown.org or (209) 736-2561.

MOTHER LODE FAIRGROUNDS RV PARKING.

At the Mother Lode fairgrounds off Stockton Road in Sonora. Features 60 RV spaces ($35 daily for 30-amp, $50 daily for 50-amp), full hook-up sites with wi-fi, electricity, water, dump station included. Reservations required for groups and RV rallies. Information: www.motherlodefair.org, (209) 5327428.

NEW HOGAN RESERVOIR.

Popular for boating and fishing, the reservoir camping areas are off New Hogan Dam Road, south of Valley Springs in Calaveras County, off Highway 26. Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Information/reservations: www.recreation.gov, (209) 772-1343 or (877) 444-6777. Grounds:

• Developed campgrounds. Acorn East and Acorn West have 177 campsites, hot showers and flush toilets.

• Other. Oak Knoll is primitive, and Coyote Point is a group campground. There are also 30 boat-in campsites at Deer Flat, available between May and September.

NEW MELONES RESERVOIR.

Two main camping areas exist on either side of the Tu

olumne/Calaveras county line. The reservoir and surrounding land are popular for fishing, boating and swimming, as well as hiking, bicycling and interpretive ranger programs.

It’s operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. First-come, first-served sites are often available, but harder to come by on holiday weekends. Information/reservations: www. recreation.gov or (877) 444-6777.

Grounds:

• Glory Hole Recreation Area. Two miles south of Angels Camp on Highway 49. Features: 144 campsites with tables, barbecue grills, fire pits, fish cleaning stations, permanent restrooms with hot and cold water, coin-op showers, picnic areas, boat ramps, hiking/biking trails.

• Tuttletown Recreation Area. Off Highway 49 a half-mile south of the Stevenot Bridge in Tuolumne County. Features: 161 campsites with tables, barbecue grills, fire pits; day-use picnic area with tables and barbecues, dump station, fish-cleaning station, permanent restrooms with hot and cold water, coin-operated showers, boat ramps, hiking/biking trails.

PARDEE RESERVOIR.

The Pardee Recreation Area is on the northwest end of the East Bay Municipal Utilities District reservoir off Stoney Creek Road in Amador County (accessed via winding roads leading from Highway 88 in Jackson or Highway 12 in Valley Springs. Follow the signs). Features: 100 first-come, first-served campgrounds, plus some reservable campsites, shower facilities. Information/ reservations: www.pardeelakerecreation.com, (209) 772-1472.

California State Park campgrounds

CALAVERAS BIG TREES STATE PARK.

Spanning 6,500 acres at an elevation of 4,000 to 5,000 feet, the park can be found off Highway 4 just east of Arnold in Calaveras County. Campgrounds are at the North Grove and Oak Hollow. Features: 129 campsites, tent and RV spaces (no hookups), restrooms, coin-op showers. There are also five environmental walk-in sites and four cabins. Reservations must be made between May 15 and Sept. 15. Information/reservations: www.reserveamerica.com or California State Parks’ website, www.parks.ca.gov. Information: (209) 795-11 96, (800) 444-7275. Stanislaus National Forest campgrounds Campgrounds scattered throughout the forest, encompassing the eastern half of Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, are suitable for RV and car camping. Some are primitive and others managed. Most campgrounds are first-come, first-served. For those allowing/requiring reservations, visit www.recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777, (877) 833-6777 for hearing and speech impaired. The maximum stay in any campground is 14 consecutive days.

The maximum number of days allowed on any given Ranger District in the Stanislaus National Forest is 21 days per year. Stanislaus Forest Order No.2004-01 prohibits people from possessing, storing or transporting any dog within Pinecrest Day Use Area (36 CFR 261.58). The exceptions to this Forest Order are service dogs for persons with disabilities. All other forest areas fall under county leash laws.

Before heading out, check for: Winter closure dates, hazard-tree closure updates, campfire restrictions and, if planning to raft or kayak rivers or creeks, water flows. If fishing, have a license and check for seasonal restrictions (included in this guide).

SUMMIT RANGER DISTRICT. (Highway 108, Tuolumne County): Ranger station at Pinecrest Lake Road, Pinecrest. Open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Information: (209) 965-3434.

PINECREST RESERVOIR CAMPGROUNDS.

(elev. 5,600-5,700 feet). Three campgrounds are located at the west end of Pinecrest Reservoir, popular for low-speed boating and sailing, swimming and fishing. Attractions also include a loop trail around the lake, ranger-led interpretive programs and outdoor movies in summer. There is also a marina with boat rentals and a general store.

• Pinecrest. Located an easy walking distance to the reservoir. Features 200 campsites, piped water, flush toilets, tables, stoves/rings, dump station (no hookups). Reservations required Memorial Day through Labor Day. Closes for winter in mid-October. Call (877) 444-6777 for reservations. Cost is $25 per night.

• Meadowview. One mile west of Pinecrest

Lake on Dodge Ridge Road. Features 100 campsites, paved parking pads, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, flush toilets, trailer sites. All year is first-come, first-served. Cost is $23 per night (cash only).

• Pioneer Group. Two miles from Pinecrest

Lake on Dodge Ridge Road. Features three group sites: two sites with capacity of 50 people ($90 per night), and one 100-person site ($130 per night). Features piped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, trailer sites, accessibility. Reservations required.

UPPER HIGHWAY 108 CAMPGROUNDS:

• Beardsley (elev. 3,400 feet). Features 16 campsites, no potable water, tables, stoves/ rings, vault toilets, boating, fishing.

• Cascade Creek (elev. 6,000 feet). Features 13 campsites, no potable water (stream), no tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, trailer sites.

• Herring Creek (elev. 7,300 feet). Features seven campsites (donation box), no potable water (stream), vault toilets, fishing, trailer sites.

• Herring Creek Reservoir (elev. 7,350 feet). Features nine campsites (donation box), no potable water (stream), vault toilets, fishing, trailer sites.

• Mill Creek (elev. 6,200 feet). Features 17 campsites, no potable water (stream), tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, trailer sites.

• Niagara Creek (elev. 6,600 feet). Features 7 campsites, no potable water (stream), tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, trailer sites.

• Niagara Creek off-road vehicles (elev. 6,600 feet). Features 12 campsites, no potable water (stream), tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, trailer sites.

Brightman/Kennedy Meadows area:

• Baker (elev. 6,200 feet). Features 44 campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing, hiking, trailer sites.

• Boulder Flat (elev. 5,600 feet). Features 21 campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing, trailer sites.

• Brightman Flat (elev. 5,700 feet). Features 33 campsites, no potable water (stream), tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing, trailer sites, accessibility.

• Dardanelle (elev. 5,800 feet). Features 28 campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing, trailer sites.

• Deadman (elev. 6,200 feet). Features 17 campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing, trailer sites.

• Eureka Valley (elev. 6,100 feet). Features 28 campsites, hand-pumped water, tables, stoves/ rings, vault toilets, fishing, trailer sites.

• Pigeon Flat (elev. 6,000 feet). Features nine walk-in campsites, no potable water (stream), tables, stoves/rings, vault toilet, fishing.

CLARK FORK AREA:

• Clark Fork (elev. 6,200 feet). Features: “A” Loop has 28 campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing, trailer sites, accessibility. “B” Loop has 60 campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, flush toilets, accessibility, trailer sites. Clark Fork Horse Camp has 12 campsites, no potable water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing, trailer sites. Clark Fork Horse Camp Group has 14 campsites, no potable water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing, trailer sites.

• Fence Creek (elev. 6,100 feet). Features 34 campsites, no potable water (stream), tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing, trailer sites.

• Sand Flat (elev. 6,200 feet). Features 53 campsites, hand-pumped water, tables, stoves/ rings, vault toilets, fishing, trailer sites.

• Sand Flat Walk-in (elev. 6,200 feet). Features 15 walk-in campsites, hand-pumped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing.

MI-WOK RANGER DISTRICT. (Highway 108, Tuolumne County). Ranger station at 24695 Highway 108, Mi-Wuk Village. Open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Information: (209) 586-3234.

• Hull Creek (elev. 5,600 feet). Features 17

campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing, trailer sites.

• Fraser Flat (elev. 4,800 feet). Features 38 campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing, trailer sites, ADA accessibility. Note: steep and narrow road not recommended for trailers.

• River Ranch Campground (elev. 2,500 feet). Features 54 campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing, trailers. Some public and some private sites. Reservations: (209) 928-3708.

• Sand Bar Flat (elev. 3,000 feet). Features 10 campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing. Note: Steep and narrow road not recommended for trailers or RV’s.

GROVELAND RANGER DISTRICT. (Highway 120, Tuolumne County). Ranger station at 24545 Highway 120, Groveland. Open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Information: (209) 962-7825.

• Cherry Valley (elev. 4,600 feet). Features 41 campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/ rings, vault toilets, bear boxes, boating, fishing, trailer sites with max length of 32 feet. Camping within 100 feet of high water mark is prohibited (Forest Order #STF-2015-03).

• Dimond O (elev. 4,400 feet). Features 36 single and five double campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, bear boxes, trailers sites with max length of 32 feet, fishing. Sites can be reserved.

• Lost Claim (elev. 3,100 feet). Features 10 campsites, hand-pumped water, tables, stoves/ rings, vault toilets, bear boxes. RV/Trailers not recommended. Sites can be reserved.

• Lumsden (elev. 1,500 feet). Features 10 campsites, no potable water, tables, stoves/ rings, vault toilets, bear boxes, fishing, rafting/ kayaking.

• Lumsden Bridge (elev. 1,500 feet). Features 11 campsites, no potable water, tables, stoves/ rings, vault toilets, fishing, rafting/kayaking.

• Pines (elev. 3,200 feet). Features 10 campsites and one group site (capacity of 50 people), piped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, trailer sites with max length 32 feet, bear boxes. Reservations required for group site.

• South Fork (elev. 1,500 feet). Features 10 campsites, no potable water, tables, stoves/ rings, vault toilets, bear boxes, fishing, rafting/ kayaking.

• Sweetwater (elev. 3,000 feet). Features 13 campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, bear boxes, trailer sites with max length 32 feet.

CALAVERAS RANGER DISTRICT.

(Highway 4, Calaveras County). Ranger station at 5519 Highway 4, Hathaway Pines. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Information: (209) 795-1381.

• Backpacker’s (elev. 7,300 feet). Features five walk-in campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/ rings, flush toilets, boating, fishing, swimming.

• Big Meadow (elev. 6,460). Features 68 campsites, piped water, stoves/rings, vault toilets, trailer sites. In addition, one group campsite (capacity 50) is available by reservation. Walk-in sites also available.

• Bloomfield (elev. 7,800). Features 20 campsites, hand-pumped water, tables, stoves/ rings, vault toilets, fishing, swimming. Not recommended for trailers.

• Highland Lakes (elev. 8,600 feet). Features 35 campsites, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, fishing, swimming.

• Lake Alpine (elev. 7,300 feet). Consists of four campgrounds: Silver Tip, Lake Alpine, Silver Valley and Pine Marten. Features: 101 campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, flush toilets, trailer sites, boating, fishing, swimming.

• Lodgepole (elev. 7,290). An overflow/group campground, it’s open only when Lake Alpine campgrounds are full or by reservation as a

group campground (capacity 50). Features 30 campsites, hand-pumped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets.

• Lower Hermit Valley (elev. 7,100 feet). Features three walk-in campsites, no potable water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets.

• Mosquito Lake (elev. 8,260). Features 11 campsites, no potable water, tables, stoves/ rings, vault toilets, boating, fishing.

• Pacific Valley (elev. 7,600 feet). Features 15 campsites, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, boating, fishing.

• Sand Flat (elev. 5,900 feet). Features six campsites, no potable water, six tables, four stoves/rings, pit toilet.

• Spicer Reservoir (elev. 6,200 feet). Features 60 campsites (group campsites are available by reservation, capacity of 75), piped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, trailer sites, boating, fishing.

• Stanislaus River (elev. 6,200 feet). Features 25 campsites, hand-pumped water, tables, stoves/rings, vault toilets, trailer sites, boating, fishing.

• Union/Utica Reservoir (elev. 7,000 feet). Consists of four campgrounds: Union East, Union West, Sandy Flat, and Rocky Point. Features 52 campsites, no water, tables, stoves/ rings, vault toilets, trailers not recommended, boating, fishing.

• Wakaluu Hepyoo (elev. 3,900 feet). Sourgrass Recreation Complex features 49 campsites, piped water, tables, stoves/rings, flush toilets and vault toilets, showers, trailer sites, boating, fishing.

Yosemite National Park The park features 13 popular campgrounds that can accommodate RVs and trailers; some can accommodate groups and horses. Seven campgrounds are on a reservation system. Reservations are essential from April through September.

First-come, first-served camping areas — including Camp 4, Bridalveil Creek, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat and Tuolumne Meadows (half of campsites) — usually fill by noon between April and September. Reservations are required between March 15 and November for Yosemite Valley car campgrounds. Reservations for Hodgdon Meadow, Wawona, half of Crane Flat and half of Tuolumne Meadows are required late spring through fall. Reservations: www.recreation.gov, (877) 4446777.

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