Highland Lakes Campground

About

Highland Lakes Campground occupies a spectacular high-alpine setting in Stanislaus National Forest's Calaveras Ranger District, nestled at 8,600 feet near the top of Ebbetts Pass. Two separate camping areas offer 35 sites total: a larger loop along Highland Lakes Road and a smaller, more secluded area on a hill above Lower Highland Lake. Sites come equipped with food lockers, picnic tables, fire rings, and parking spurs. Potable water is available from a hand pump, and vault toilets are provided. The campground serves as a base for exploring the surrounding wilderness. Three trailheads provide access to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness: Gardner Meadow at the upper lake, Highland Creek at the lower lake, and Tryon Meadow one mile north. The lakes themselves offer fishing and non-motorized boating with a 5 mph speed limit. Highland Lakes Road is a narrow, steep, winding dirt route where safe travel speeds average 20 mph or less, making it unsuitable for large RVs. This is a pack-it-in, pack-it-out campground with no garbage service. The high elevation means a short operating season dependent on snowpack, typically late May through October.

Directions

From Highway 4 east of Lake Alpine, continue past Ebbetts Pass and turn south on Highland Lakes Road. Follow the narrow dirt road approximately 5.6 miles, turning right at the fork toward the lakes. The campground is at the north end of Lower Highland Lake.