Big Meadow - Us Forest Service Stanislaus National Forest (CA)
Big Meadow - US Forest Service Stanislaus National Forest (CA)
Part of Stanislaus National Forest
Overview
BIG MEADOW CAMPGROUND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED. Trash and Water Services are not available at this time.
Big Meadow Campground lies at about 6,400 feet elevation on the Stanislaus National Forest. It is located 21 miles east of Arnold, California. Breathtaking views abound, and wildlife viewing opportunities include marmots, squirrels, and deer's.
Facilities
Big Meadow has 65 individual camping sites and is currently CLOSED.
Big Meadow Group camp is easily accessible from Highway 4 and can accommodate a maximum of 50 guests and 20 vehicles. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO WATER & THE VAULT TOILETS ARE CLOSED FOR THE SEASON.
Natural Features
Situated in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, Stanislaus National Forest is sandwiched between the well-known destinations, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. It boasts gorgeous views of snow-capped mountain peaks and California's Great Central Valley.Recreation
Picnicking, birding and hiking are popular pastimes at Big Meadow.Lake Alpine and Spicer Meadow Reservoir, both just a 15 minute drive away, offer fishing and other water activities.
Important Notices
There is no host on site; Forest Service employees make daily visits.
Big Meadow Campground is managed as a first-come, first-serve. 6 people, 2 tents and 2 vehicles per site.
Big Meadow Group is a reservation only campground. 50 people and 20 vehicles. To reserve please go to Recreation.gov.
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
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.
Available Activities
- Camping - Camping
- Birding - Birding
- Hiking - Hiking
Directions
From Arnold, California, take Highway 4 east for 25 miles to the Big Meadow Campground.
Contact Information
Phone: 209-795-1381
STANISLAUSCA
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site X56, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop BIG, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site X38, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X18, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X41, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X55, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop BIG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop BIG, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop BIG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X36, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X44, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X37, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X47, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X31, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site MAX 25, Loop BIG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X65, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X58, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop BIG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X52, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X54, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X57, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001 Group Camp, Loop GRP, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop BIG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X48, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X42, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop BIG, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop BIG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X53, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XXX, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X49, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X62, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X63, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop BIG, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site X60, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X51, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X23, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X33, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X30, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop BIG, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop BIG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X50, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X59, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop BIG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X67, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X46, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X22, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X32, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop BIG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X40, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop BIG, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site X28, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X64, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop BIG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X19, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X25, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X68, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X39, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop BIG, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site X34, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site TENT, Loop BIG, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop BIG, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop BIG, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site X27, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X26, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X45, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X66, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop BIG, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site X35, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop BIG, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X43, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X61, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X29, Loop XXX, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site MAX 35, Loop BIG, Type Standard Nonelectric
