U.S. Forest Service · Stanislaus National Forest

Pinecrest Day Use Area

Pinecrest Lake is located 40 minutes east of Sonora, California, and is within a 3-hour drive from major metropolitan areas including San Francisco, Sacramento and many valley cities. The lake is located at 5,600 feet elevation and provides cool summer relief, spectacular scenery, and lake shore beaches for relaxing, swimming and picnics. Pinecrest Lake is popular for swimming, hiking, kayaking, fishing and sailing (small boats). A nearby resort offers boat rentals, lodging and groceries. Movies and interpretive programs are provided in the evenings at the amphitheater, also located in the day use area.

Reservable3 sitesAccessibility info

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Pinecrest "Fir" Group Picnic Site — USDA Forest Service, Stanislaus National Forest

Campsites

group picnic area	3
Total	3

Getting there

Pinecrest Day Use area is located approximately 35 miles east of Sonora, CA on Highway 108. The day use area is located on Pinecrest Lake Road, 1 mile from the intersection with Highway 108.

Campgrounds nearby

Reservable

Stanislaus National Forest

Pinecrest

CA · 196 sites

0.2 miles away

Reservable

Stanislaus National Forest

Pioneer Trail

CA · 3 sites

0.4 miles away

Reservable

Stanislaus National Forest

Meadowview Campground

CA · 100 sites

0.7 miles away

First-come

Stanislaus National Forest

Teleli Pulaya (Black Oak) Campground

3.2 miles away

First-come

Stanislaus National Forest

Fraser Flat Campground

4.5 miles away

First-come

Stanislaus National Forest

Beardsley Dam Campground

4.7 miles away

Data source: Recreation.gov RIDB, retrieved August 30, 2026. The Campsite Atlas is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Recreation.gov or any federal agency. Always confirm critical details on the official Recreation.gov page before you travel.