Stanislaus National Forest

Recreation Activities

Summit Ranger District

Day Use Sites

Campfire permits are not required within developed day use sites; however, campfires are limited to the grills provided. Campfire permits are required if you plan to build a campfire or use a camp stove outside a recreational vehicle away from a developed campground. Permits are free and may be obtained at the Summit Ranger District.

Beardsley Day Use Area: Fifteen miles northwest of Pinecrest. Stoves, tables, flush toilets, picnicking, boating, boat launch ramp, water skiing, fishing, nature trail. Ten RV campsites (without hook-ups) are available in the upper parking lot of the Day Use Area. No camping elsewhere in the Day Use Area. Elevation 3400 feet. Beardsley Dam: 16 campsites on the north side of the dam.

Cottonwood Picnic Area: Twenty-three miles east of Pinecrest. Several picnic tables and vault toilet. Fishing nearby. Picnicking only, no overnight camping. Elevation 6200 feet. Open May to October. No Fee. Accessible toilet and table.

Donnell Vista: Fifteen miles northwest of Pinecrest. Tables, vault toilets, picnicking, nature trail and scenic overlook of Donnell Reservoir and the Dardanelles. No overnight camping.

Douglas Picnic Area: Twenty-five miles east of Pinecrest. Several picnic tables and stoves, vault toilet. Fishing nearby. Picnicking only, no overnight camping. Open May to October. No Fee.

Pinecrest Lake: One mile from Summit Ranger District office. Tables, stoves, flush toilets, swimming, fishing, and a beach area. Fully accessible restrooms and fishing pier are available. Forest Service maintained boat ramp with dock. Because of the very high visitor use that occurs at Pinecrest in the summer months, the following rules apply:

• Dogs are not allowed in the Day Use Area (between Pinecrest Lake Road/Pinecrest Avenue and the lake and the boat launch and the fishing pier) between May 15 and September 15.
• Dogs are required to be on a leash elsewhere within the Pinecrest Recreation Area (Tuolumne County Leash Law).
• Boating (except for personal watercraft) is allowed on the lake, subject to a 20 MPH speed limit on the lake and a 5 MPH speed limit near the marina and swim area.
• Fishing is allowed on the lake except at the marina, Forest Service boat launch area or designated swimming area.
• The swimming area at Beach 1, marked by white buoys, is for swimming only. Please, no boats or fishing in this area.
• Foot travel only is allowed on the Pinecrest National Recreation Trail.

US Forest Service - Stanislaus National Forest
Last Modified: Thursday, 30 October 2008 at 13:30:27 EDT