Pinecrest Day Use Area
PINECREST DAY USE AREA
Part of Stanislaus National Forest
Overview
Pinecrest Lake is located 40 minutes east of Sonora, California, and is within a 3-hour drive from major metropolitan areas including San Francisco, Sacramento and many valley cities. The lake is located at 5,600 feet elevation and provides cool summer relief, spectacular scenery, and lake shore beaches for relaxing, swimming and picnics.Facilities
Group use sites are fully accessible and provide group size pedestal grills, food storage boxes, group picnic tables and food prep table. Water hydrants and recycle and garbage cans are also located within the sites. Flush toilets are located nearby.
* Water hydrants are not available during the winter months due to freezing. ** Group sites may be under snow during winter months. Please plan accordingly as accessibility may be limited after heavy snowfall.
Natural Features
The day use area is surrounded by mixed conifer, providing shade during warm summer days. The group picnic sites are located within sight of the lake offering easy access to the lake, beach and hiking trails.Recreation
Pinecrest Lake is popular for swimming, hiking, kayaking, fishing and sailing (small boats). A nearby resort offers boat rentals, lodging and groceries. Movies and interpretive programs are provided in the evenings at the amphitheater, also located in the day use area. Two campgrounds within the Pinecrest Basin offer opportunities at nearly 300 campsites within one mile from the Pinecrest Day Use Area. *Outdoor movie showings and interpretive programs typically end for the season by mid-October due to weather. Please check for availability.
Nearby Attractions
The Pinecrest National Recreation Trail traverses Pinecrest Lake for an easy four mile hike. Numerous opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating and lake play are within 100 feet from each group use picnic site.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (209) 459-9236.Important Notices
Dogs are not permitted in the Pinecrest Day Use Area fence area between May 15 to September 15; between September 16 to May 14 dogs are permitted in the Pinecrest Day Use Area.
Pine and Fir Groups sites are within the Pinecrest Day Use Area; therefore, dogs owners must comply with pet restrictions of the Pinecrest Day Use Area. Cedar Group site is outside of the dog restriction area and are permitted in the group site. Please plan accordingly and do not leave your pet in your vehicle.
Parking is generally difficult on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. While there are parking spaces within 100 feet from each group site, the closest parking spaces generally fill by 10:00 a.m. on weekend days. Outlying parking may be up to one mile from the day use area.
Group site reservations does not include parking stalls or the use of the parking lot other than for parking; no BBQs or other activities are permitted in parking area.
A Group Picnic Site can be reserved year-round including during winter snow season. During the winter snow season, site may be buried under snow. If reserved during this season, snow removal is NOT provided per reservation to gain access to table and BBQ grills, the site will be in as-is condition during winter and may not be fully usable or accessible.
Notifications and Alerts
Christmas Tree Cutting Permits Information: Recreation.gov 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.
Directions
Pinecrest Day Use area is located approximately 35 miles east of Sonora, CA on Highway 108. The day use area is located on Pinecrest Lake Road, 1 mile from the intersection with Highway 108.
Contact Information
Phone: (209) 965-3434
#1 Pinecrest Lake RoadPinecrest, California 95364
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site Fir, Loop PINECREST DAY USE AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site Pine, Loop PINECREST DAY USE AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site Cedar, Loop PINECREST DAY USE AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
