Pioneer Trail
Closed — Closed for reservations during winter. Winter camping available first-come, first-served. Reservations typically required during summer months.
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.…
Forest Order No. STF-16-2026-02 Cottonwood Temporary Road Closure
Cottonwood Road Temporary Closure for storm damage repairs
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…
Forest Order STF-16-2025-03 - Mtn. Tunnel Project - FSR 1S28B repair/closure
Mtn. Tunnel Project - FSR 1S28B repair/closure
Forest Order STF-16-2025-02 - Rainbow Pool Area Alcohol Prohibition
Rainbow Pool Area Alcohol Prohibition
Winter Storm Warning issued April 10 at 10:34AM PDT until April 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Sacramento CA
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations 1 to 2 feet above 4500 feet, with up to 3 to 4 feet at the highest peaks. Minor snowfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches down to 4000 feet. Wind gusts as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada and Western Plumas County/Lassen Park Counties. * WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 11 PM PDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the this evenings commute and weekend mountain travel. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels generally remain above pass levels through this afternoon, dropping to around 6000-7000 ft tonight-Saturday, then lowering to around 4000-5000 ft Sunday. Heavy snowfall rates of 1-2 inch per hour, with the heaviest snowfall Saturday afternoon through Sunday.
From Recreation.gov
Christmas Tree Cutting Permits Information: [Recreation.gov][1] Christmas Tree cutting permits will go on sale on Friday, October 10, 2025. Christmas trees are $10.00 each and there is a maximum of two (2) trees per permit for a total of $20.00. Fourth graders can use their Every Kid Outdoors pass to obtain one (1) free tree. There is an additional $2.50 reservation fee for all permits. Tree cutting dates are Friday, November 28, 2025, through Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Starting in 2026, Christmas trees will increase in price to $20.00 per tree. [1]: http://Recreation.gov
About
Pioneer Trail Group Campground offers groups the opportunity to camp in a wooded setting near Pinecrest Lake in Stanislaus National Forest. The campground features three group sites: Sites 1 and 3 accommodate up to 50 people each, while Site 2 can host up to 100 people. Each site includes large campfire circles, multiple picnic tables, paved parking areas, and vault toilets. The campground sits at 5,600 feet elevation in a mixed conifer forest. Located about 1.5 miles from Pinecrest Lake on Dodge Ridge Road, the campground provides easy access to the 300-acre lake and its amenities. The Pinecrest Lake National Recreation Trail offers an easy 4-mile loop around the lake, and swimming is available at designated beach areas. Rainbow trout fishing is popular in the lake. The spectacular mountain region provides opportunities to view marmots, squirrels, coyotes, and deer. The campground operates on a reservation system during summer months but offers first-come, first-served winter camping. Pay showers are available within a few miles. Highway 108 and Sonora Pass provide scenic access to this central Sierra Nevada destination between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite.
Directions
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $133 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 40ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 40ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Info@DodgeRidge.com | |
| Phone | +1 (209) 965-3474 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!