California / Tuolumne County / Stanislaus National Forest

Pinecrest Day Use Area

Open — Open year-round for reservations. During winter, sites may be buried under snow with no snow removal provided, and facilities may not be fully usable or accessible. Day use hours are 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

About

Located 35 miles east of Sonora on Highway 108 at 5,600 feet elevation, Pinecrest Day Use Area provides a scenic setting along Pinecrest Lake for day recreation. The facility features three group picnic sites situated within mixed conifer forest with views of the lake. Each site includes group-size pedestal grills, picnic tables, food prep tables, bear-proof food storage boxes, and access to nearby flush toilets and potable water. Pinecrest Lake is popular for swimming, kayaking, fishing, and sailing, with a nearby resort offering boat rentals, lodging, and groceries. The easy 4-mile Pinecrest National Recreation Trail circles the lake, providing accessible hiking opportunities. During summer, the amphitheater hosts evening movies and interpretive programs, typically running through mid-October. The day use area operates from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily with no overnight camping permitted. Group sites can be reserved year-round through Recreation.gov, though winter reservations come with important caveats: sites may be buried under snow and no snow removal is provided, leaving facilities in as-is condition and potentially unusable. Dogs are prohibited within the fenced day use area from May 15 to September 15, but are permitted September 16 to May 14. Parking can be challenging on summer weekends, with closest spaces typically filled by 10:00 a.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Directions

Located approximately 35 miles east of Sonora, California on Highway 108. From Highway 108, turn onto Pinecrest Lake Road and continue 1 mile to the day use area.

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