U.S. Forest Service · Stanislaus National Forest · California

Highland Lakes Campground

Highland Lakes Campground is set in conifer forest adjacent to a meadow at the north end of the second (lower) lake. There are two separate camping areas, a large one along Highland Lakes Road and a smaller one on a hill above the lake.

Closed for the seasonFirst-come, first-servedFrom $25 per nightTents only

More like this: first-come in California · tent only in California

4fires
active
Big Trees State Park Broadcast Burn Rx (prescribed burn) · 31 mi away · 170 acres
3 more within 50 miles
Incident details ↓

Amenities & rules

EquipmentTents
FeesThe Forest Service operates the Highland Lakes Campground and charges the following fees: New campsite fee prices, 2024 & 2025 $25 per night and fee raises to $30 per night in 2026. The America the Beautiful, Interagency Senior and Access Passes are honored and receive 50% off the nightly rate.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
ForestStanislaus National Forest
BookingNo reservations; campground is first come, first served.
FeesThe Forest Service operates the Highland Lakes Campground and charges the following fees: New campsite fee prices, 2024 & 2025 $25 per night and fee raises to $30 per night in 2026. The America the Beautiful, Interagency Senior and Access Passes are honored and receive 50% off the nightly rate.

Stanislaus National Forest recreation page ↗

Getting there

Coordinates38.4898° N, 119.8066° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Big Trees State Park Broadcast Burn Rx

    31 mi from the campground · 170 acres

  • Prescribed
    Spooner Pile Rx

    43 mi from the campground · 5 acres

  • Prescribed
    Sly Park Rx

    44 mi from the campground · 36 acres

  • Prescribed
    Prog Bodie Hills Bridgeport Val Rx/Support Season

    49 mi from the campground

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearBear Valley Adventure Company ↗12.9 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗32.4 mi
RV sales & serviceCustom Truck Accessories ↗44.8 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

RV Camping Trip to Highland Lakes

Worth a stop

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →

Trailheads within three miles

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Carson-Iceberg Wilderness.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Guidebooks for California

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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Highland Lakes Campground?

No. Highland Lakes Campground is first-come, first-served. No reservations; campground is first come, first served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.

Source: Forest Service

How much does it cost to camp at Highland Lakes Campground?

The Forest Service operates the Highland Lakes Campground and charges the following fees: New campsite fee prices, 2024 & 2025 $25 per night and fee raises to $30 per night in 2026. The America the Beautiful, Interagency Senior and Access Passes are honored and receive 50% off the nightly rate.

Source: Forest Service

Is Highland Lakes Campground open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 26, 2026.

Source: Forest Service status

Can I bring an RV to Highland Lakes Campground?

Highland Lakes Campground is listed for tents only.

Source: Forest Service

What if Highland Lakes Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Bloomfield Campground (3.5 mi, first-come), Sand Flat Campground (6 mi, first-come), and Sand Flat Campground (4WD Only) (6 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby