Pinecrest Campground, CA - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map

Pinecrest Campground is located in the Summit Ranger District, Stanislaus National Forest (2 hrs 23 min southeast of El Dorado Hills, CA) with an elevation of 5,602 feet. There are a total of 196 campsites including 2 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 193 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $32.14 per night. Some amenities include swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.

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Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (550)

4.3 out of 5

5 star		58%
4 star		20%
3 star		11%
2 star		5%
1 star		2%

@ClarissaM51D15 · Camped on Sep 5, 2025 at Campsite #C15

The campgrounds were amazing, it was some of the other campers that causes my rating to be lower. During the quiet time, there were campers from A loop blasting music, and we could hear the music form C loop. Which I didn't mind too much, but for my mother-in-law, she was upset and angry with the commotion. Other than that, the rangers were sweet and nice.

@MichelleS85055 · Camped on Sep 4, 2025 at Campsite #E4

VERY SMALL FITS ONLY ONE CAR AND VERY MUCH WEEDS EVERYWHERE COULD BE CLEANED UP BETTER

@MichelleS85055 · Camped on Sep 4, 2025 at Campsite #D50

Every year is a wonderful camping year with famly

@jjarveymB6EAE5 · Camped on Sep 2, 2025 at Campsite #B6

Loved the place. Youre doing a grand job keeping the place beautiful! Thanks fir everthing.

@MichaelL540355 · Camped on Sep 2, 2025 at Campsite #C11

As always, Pinecrest Lake campground never disappoints. The bathrooms are clean, the campsites are clean, and the Dodge Ridge kiosk station employees are very friendly.

@EdwardC8595351 · Camped on Sep 1, 2025 at Campsite #A58

Always have an enjoyable, relaxing time on our yearly camping at Pinecrest. We enjoyed the root beer floats at the snack bar, and spending time at the lake. Can't wait to be back next year.

@MicoleNAD10B68 · Camped on Sep 1, 2025 at Campsite #C36

Heaven on Earth! The perfect place

@JasonC1063647 · Camped on Aug 27, 2025 at Campsite #D35

Nice lake, facilities were very well kept, other campers were respectful. Supplies just across the road. Would definitely go back! Thank you park service! Underappreciated and underfunded now.

@AlyssaS3BBB155 · Camped on Aug 26, 2025 at Campsite #D15

Stayed at site D15, was super close to bathroom and to the water. There isnt too much shade mid day, but the site is pretty big. The campsite was very clean, along with the bathroom as well. This was my first time at pincrest, and I will be returning!

@JodyAA4D1CC481 · Camped on Aug 24, 2025 at Campsite #B18

Pinecrest is always such a good time. The camp grounds were clean and beautiful as always!

@TammieG88E8D7F · Camped on Aug 21, 2025 at Campsite #C32

Pinecrest is a beautiful place and the campground has nicely spaced out sites. The problem with it is that too many people go there and many have little to no camping etiquette. There were many screaming children, incredibly loud music land bright lights into wee hours, people walking thru our campsites so close to my camper they could have touched it, saddling right up next to you on the beaches when there's room elsewhere, etc. During the week wasn't as bad. If you can, avoid weekends at this place. Unless you're one of the rude campers as explained above, then please go on the weekends so those of us with camping manners can enjoy the weekdays.

@LesterB8715802 · Camped on Aug 20, 2025 at Campsite #A20

Perfect weather, low crowds, lake not real busy made for a first class stay.

@SteveW7867249 · Camped on Aug 19, 2025 at Campsite #B17

Late August at its best. Beautiful weather in a beautiful campsite.

@BeaJaeH39D5F21 · Camped on Aug 18, 2025 at Campsite #B24

Had a wonderful time. Campsite are clean, bathrooms are will stocked and clean. Everyone was very friendly.

@CrystalR670964 · Camped on Aug 17, 2025 at Campsite #C18

Such a great place to camp!! Loved that there was a general store nearby and a place to grab a bite to eat on the beach. Will definitely come back here next summer.

@Priscilla3092D · Camped on Aug 10, 2025 at Campsite #D4

Spent just 1 night over night camping..enjoyed kayaking on the lake and swimming along the shore line.The store near by is stocked with any small things you could've forgotten plus groceries .Campgrounds are close to water.

@JoshuaH2166052 · Camped on Aug 8, 2025 at Campsite #A31

Excellent as always

@MarkG5733121 · Camped on Aug 7, 2025 at Campsite #A34

We Love Pinecrest and have been camping there for over 40 years! We have loved the ability to camp in Meadowview campground when we couldn't get into the Pinecrest campground. But this year was absolutely ridiculous. We were able to book only 2 days at a time in Meadowview because now it is up for reservations only. We watched people come and go on weekends and saw mostly empty sites during the week, even though they were reserved. Had it been first come first serve as it has been forever, there would have been full sites for the entire week. Also noticed that the rules were not being enforced as posted with multiple tents 4-6 to a site and cars parked off the parking pads. Reserved a site in Meadowview, site was not vacated till almost 1pm. When we mentioned to Dodge Ridge personnel, they told us to just put are thing in the site. Have we had done that, it would have blocked the people leaving late and caused a fight. The people leaving had no remorse for checking out late. They had been at the beach. Dodge Ridge should be responsible for enforcing their check out rules not the next campers. This reservation system for Meadowview campground will severely hamper our ability to camp coming from 4 hours away!

@AnnL9111173 · Camped on Aug 5, 2025 at Campsite #D24

The horseback riding at aspen was fun a inexpensive

@CathyB3119916 · Camped on Aug 4, 2025 at Campsite #D32

We hadnt been to Prinecrest in 15 years. We would hike the lake at least once a month when we lived in the East Bay. The parking improvements were great. The hike around the lake was just as it was 15 years ago. We had a campground site for the night and it was very peaceful all night. It was a fun get away.

@MitchellFDC603 · Camped on Aug 3, 2025 at Campsite #D39

Water views from this large campsite, though ground was rocky in spots. Site is close to amphitheater which is great if attending; loud if not.

@JeffreyW413498 · Camped on Aug 3, 2025 at Campsite #C35

Pinecrest Lake has been my families favorite vacation spot for over 40 years. We are working on our fourth generation visitors to this wonderful Sierra showcase. That being said I must be honest and say things have changed over the for the worse. The current reservation process is so overwhelming something must change or my family will not continue to visit after 40 consecutive years of coming to the lake. 6 months in advance is preposterous and on top of it all if you aren't right on your keyboard exactly at 7:00am waiting to try and be the first person lucky enough for the application to choose your request over all others. If you're not picked first just forget about trying a second time because the few sites that were open will no longer be available! I'm at a loss for words how it's become so discouraging just to get a single campsite for one week out of the entire year. It's simply become crazy with people hoarding campsites reserving a max two week period only to end up using one week of that time. This way they are assured the site for whatever dates they decide to use and the campsite sits empty the rest of the time but stands reserved and can't be used by someone who truly would like to camp. Just as annoying is the massive about of parking that use to be open for guys like me to park there trucks and boat trailers or a guests car over night. Now you have no choice but to park your truck and boat trailer in your campsite driveway which leaves no room for guests and their second car. And the only explanation you get is there's more parking at the dump station or at Meadowview Campground. No one wants to walk a mile or even two miles to get their car if they need it. There's acreage of parking but you're not allowed to use it because someone's afraid they might loose a campsite fee if someone decides to sleep in their car or truck if they can't get one. It's so ridiculous to inconvenience your consistent visitors over a few measly bucks. FIX THE PROBLEMS!!!

@JosephM2374984 · Camped on Aug 1, 2025 at Campsite #E8

Beautiful lake, but the insane crowds, constant generator use (by camp neighbors), and general lack of respect for nature all led to our realization: there are way better options. Were going to Don Pedro next year

@ChristieW3C915 · Camped on Jul 30, 2025 at Campsite #B5

Pinecrest Lake has been my favorite place to go for over 50 years .Kids love the lake , Taking walks on the lake path where the trails. This stars at night are beautiful.

@MartiK533D5253 · Camped on Jul 30, 2025 at Campsite #C6

We have been camping at Pinecrest for 38 years. After reading the article in the SF paper we were expecting the worst. The Dodge Ridge Corporation and rangers definitely fixed any problems that were mentioned. This year the bathrooms were always clean and there was not garbage piled anywhere.

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Pinecrest Campground, CA - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map

Pinecrest

Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (550)

4.3 out of 5

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