Stanislaus National Forest

Recreation Activities

 

Pinecrest Recreation Area

Pinecrest Recreation Area is located at Pinecrest Lake, a 300-acre lake owned and operated by Pacific, Gas and Electric Company. It is located 30 miles east of Sonora on State Highway 108. The Recreation Area lies in a timbered setting at an elevation of 5,600 feet. The California Department of Fish and Game regularly stocks Pinecrest Lake with rainbow trout. Groceries and other services are available at the Pinecrest commercial center.

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.

Recreation opportunities available at the Pinecrest Recreation Area include:

• 300 camp sites with tables, grills, flush toilets and piped water in 2 campgrounds (Pinecrest Campground and Meadowview Campground)
• 3 group sites with tables, grills, fireplaces, vault toilets and piped water in 1 group campground (Pioneer Trail Group Campground)
• Day Use Sites: Pinecrest Boat Launch; 50 picnic sites with grills, flush toilets and piped water in 1 picnic area (Pinecrest); Designated swim area.
• Fishing: Accessible fishing pier and boat launch available.
• Hiking: Pinecrest National Recreation Trail, a 4 mile hiking trail around the lake; Paved pathways connecting points of interest

In winter, the Pinecrest Recreation Area is a popular destination for snowplay, downhill and nordic skiing. Groomed or marked trails are maintained for winter recreationists throughout the area.

• Nordic Skiing
• Winter Recreation

US Forest Service - Stanislaus National Forest
Last Modified: Wednesday, 22 October 2008 at 16:57:00 EDT