Stanislaus National Forest

National Forest System Roads

Follow California Vehicle Code on National Forest System Roads

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.…

Woodcut/PAL Information

For woodcut day/PAL information, please call 209-532-5601

Overview

Stanislaus National Forest is one of the oldest national forests, established in 1897, encompassing 898,000 acres in California's Central Sierra Nevada. The forest features 78 lakes, 811 miles of streams and rivers, and over 1,000 miles of hiking trails across four ranger districts (Groveland, Mi-Wuk, Summit, and Calaveras). Currently, the forest is in its regular winter season with seasonal road closures in effect from December 15 through April 15 to protect roads from wet/muddy conditions and ensure visitor safety—many upper elevation forest roads are closed and not maintained for winter use. Active closures include FSR 1N04 (extended through December 31, 2025) and various roads under Forest Order STF-16-2025-12. Recent orders terminated fire restrictions (Orders 2025-11 and 2025-14 in October), and Deer Valley Road (FSR 8N02) reopened in early July. Current active orders include Rainbow Pool Area alcohol prohibition and Cherry Lake camping restrictions. The forest is open for winter recreation, but visitors should consult Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) available at ranger stations for specific road status and be prepared for winter conditions on backcountry roads.

Campgrounds

Baker Campground Beardsley Dam Campground Big Meadow Bloomfield Campground Boulder Flat Campground Brightman Flat Campground Calaveras Big Trees Sp Group Campground Cascade Creek Campground Cherry Valley Clark Fork Campground Clark Fork Horse Camp Dardanelle Campground Deadman Campground Dimond O Eagle Meadows Horse Camp Eureka Valley Campground FAHEY CABIN Fence Creek Campground Fraser Flat Campground Hacienda Campground Hermit Valley Campground Herring Creek Campground Highland Lakes Campground Hull Creek Campground Kerrick Corral Campground Lake Alpine Backpackers Campground Lake Alpine West Shore Campground Lodgepole Campground

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