Highland Lakes Campground
Closed for the season. The campground typically operates late May or June through October, weather permitting, due to its high elevation of 8,600 feet.
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Extension of Seasonal Road Closures
Following a series of evaluations by Stanislaus National Forest Recreation Specialists, the Forest has issued Forest Order STF-16-2026-04 cleaving closed several roads in the forest’s higher elevations. Conditions will continue to be monitored on a regular basis and when applicable, roads will…
Beardsley Lake Boat Ramp Closure thru June 15
At the request of Tri-Dam, the Stanislaus National Forest has issued Forest Order STF-16-2026-03; effective April 15 through June 15, 2026, closing the Beardsley Lake Boat Ramp for all use.
Temporary Road Closures
This Forest Order closes the below listed roads beginning Aug 7, expiring on Dec 31, 2026.Calaveras District Roads (Exhibit A):• Forest Road No. 4N40• Forest Road No. 4N80Y (Candy Rock Road), from the gate at approximately 3.5 miles fromHighway 4 then continuing to its terminus. 36 CFR…
Cherry Lake Camping Restrictions
Camping, cooking, building a campfire, or storing fuel on National Forest Lands at, below or within 100 feet above the Cherry Lake high water mark (4702 feet elevation), or on the island within Cherry Lake
About
Highland Lakes Campground is located at the end of Highland Lakes Road in a spectacular high alpine valley near the crest of Ebbetts Pass at 8,600 feet elevation. The campground consists of two separate camping areas: a larger area along Highland Lakes Road and a smaller area on a hill above the lake, with 35 total sites set among conifer forest adjacent to meadows. The two Highland Lakes are unique in that they serve as headwaters for two different watersheds, with the eastern lake flowing into the Mokelumne River drainage and the western lake flowing into the Stanislaus River drainage. The campground provides access to fishing, hiking trails, and horseback riding opportunities in the surrounding high Sierra wilderness. Maximum boat speed on both lakes is 5 mph, and gas-powered motors are discouraged. Highland Lakes Road is a narrow, steep, winding dirt route where safe travel speeds average 20 mph or less, and at one point it fords a stream which may present challenges for low-clearance vehicles in spring and early summer. The campground operates on a pack-in, pack-out basis with no garbage service.
Directions
From Highway 4 after Ebbetts Pass, turn south on Highland Lakes Road. Turn right at the split towards the lakes. The campground is at the end of Highland Lakes Road, 5.6 miles from Highway 4. Highland Lakes Road is a narrow, steep, winding dirt route where safe travel speeds average 20 mph or less.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $25 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (209) 795-1381 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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