Weekend availability at Pioneer Trail
Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 18, 6:25 AM PTSold out 5 of the next 5 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.
- Fri, Sep 18Sold out
- Fri, Sep 25Sold out
- Fri, Oct 2Sold out
- Fri, Oct 9Sold out
- Fri, Oct 16Sold out
Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.
How booked is Pioneer Trail?
as of September 18Weekends book out well ahead here — 4 of the 4 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Oct, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch Pioneer Trail and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Weekdays still have room — for now.
Weekends (Saturday night)
Weekdays (Wednesday night)
Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.
Campsites & amenities
Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.
- Campsites
- 3
- Max rig length
- 40 ft
About this campground
Overview Pioneer Trail Group Campground offers groups of up to 100 people the opportunity to camp near the beautiful Pinecrest Lake. The campground is located within the Pinecrest Recreational Area just 2 miles from the lake, which beckons visitors with excellent fishing, boating, hiking and swimming opportunities. In this spectacular mountain region, wildlife viewing opportunities include marmots, squirrels, coyotes and deer.Recreation The Pinecrest Lake National Recreation Trail takes hikers on an easy 4-mile stroll around Pinecrest Lake. Rainbow trout is a common catch in the lake and swimming is enjoyed in designated beach areas.Facilities Campsites 1 and 3 will accommodate up to 50 campers and Site 2 will accommodate up to 100 campers. Each site features a large campfire circle, picnic tables and vault toilets. No RV hookups or electricity are available. Pay showers are within a few miles. Winter camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Pets are welcome, but must be compliant with Tuolumne County leash laws. Natural Features Pioneer Trail sits at an elevation of 5,600 feet, in a wooded area near the southwest side of the 300-acre Pinecrest Lake in Stanislaus National Forest. Stanislaus National Forest is located in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. It boasts gorgeous views of snow-capped mountain peaks and California's Great Central Valley. Nearby Attractions The nearby Sonora Pass is a scenic winding highway that has guided people across the Sierra Nevada since 1852.
Getting there
From Sonora, California, take Highway 108 east for about 30 miles. Exit at Pinecrest Lake and turn right on Dodge Ridge Road. Continue 1 mile to Pioneer Trails Campground, located on the left.
Activities
- SWIMMING SITE
- HIKING
- FISHING
- CAMPING
- BOATING
Nearby federal campgrounds
- Pinecrest Day UseStanislaus National Forest0 mi
- Pinecrest Day Use AreaStanislaus National Forest0 mi
- Crabtree Cross-Country Ski TrailheadStanislaus National Forest1 mi
- Gooseberry Cross-Country Ski TrailheadStanislaus National Forest1 mi
- Meadowview CampgroundStanislaus National Forest1 mi
- PinecrestStanislaus National Forest1 mi
Never miss an opening at Pioneer Trail
Popular California campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Pioneer Trail around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.
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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.