(Lake Alpine) Lodgepole Campground
(Lake Alpine) Lodgepole Campground
Part of Stanislaus National Forest
Overview
Lodgepole Group Campground is located just two miles west of Lake Alpine in northern California. The campground affords breathtaking views of the surrounding Stanislaus National Forest.
Campground may open earlier and close later on a first come first serve basis as weather (snow level) allows. This information will be posted on this page as soon as it becomes available.
The current dates for reservations have historically allowed for comfortable camping, but please take into consideration the high alpine location when making a reservation. It is possible to have snow, rain, mud, and overall cold/wet conditions any time of year.
Facilities
Campsites with room for up to 6 people, 3 tents, and 2 vehicles per campsite. Picnic tables, campfire rings, toilets are available. Hot showers and laundromat available at nearby Lake Alpine Lodge. No electricity or hook-ups. Pets are welcome. Firewood, camping and fishing supplies, food, and apparel is available in the general store at Lake Alpine Lodge.
Natural Features
Lodgepole Campground is situated on a large, flat plain, not far from a creek. It sits at an elevation of 7,290 feet, within the Stanislaus National Forest in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains. The forest lies between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite and boasts gorgeous views of snow-capped peaks and California's Great Central Valley.A wide variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including marmots, squirrels, coyotes, deer and many birds.
Recreation
Lake Alpine provides a wide variety of recreation opportunities. Hike, bike, or ride a horse on Bear Valley, an accessible trail that winds along the lakeshore to the community of Bear Valley. It connects with the historic Emigrant Trail, the route pioneers once traveled via covered wagon to settle in California.Interpretive programs are offered by Forest Service rangers during the summer months.
Nearby Attractions
A restaurant, bar, general store, and boat rentals can be found at nearby Lake Alpine Lodge. The immediate area is suited for forest and wilderness recreation. A short car ride away is Big Trees State Park, Grover Hot Springs, Mercer Caverns, Mountain Adventure Seminars, and the wine country of Calaveras County.
Important Notices
This high alpine campground is very old, and was not designed or built with modern RVs in mind. It contains narrow roads, tight turns, and many, many inconvenient boulders and trees. RVs are allowed in every site if they fit, but this campground is a far cry from an RV park. The only surefire way to know if you can comfortably fit your RV in a specific site is to take an exploratory trip to scout it out for yourself.
- Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from the area after eating
Campsites must be occupied during the dates of reservation. Guests who do not arrive by 2PM on the day following their scheduled date of arrival will be considered a No-Show and their reservation will automatically be cancelled.
Dogs must remain on leash and under control at all times. Dogs may not be left in camp unattended, and all leads must be 6 feet or less in length. USFS guidelines allow a maximum of two dogs per campsite
Generator use is limited to 2 hours per day, in between the hours of 8 am and 8 pm.
- One pump is available for water - please bring your own containers
On-site payment is cash only. Checks are not accepted.
- No electric hookups at this facility
- Click here for more information on Stanislaus National Forest
- 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
- Swimming Site - Swimming Site
- Visitor Center - Visitor Center
- Camping - Camping
- Boating - Boating
- Backpacking - Backpacking
- Day Use Area - Day Use Area
- Disc Golf - Disc Golf
- Climbing - Climbing
- Fishing - Fishing
- Hiking - Hiking
- Kayaking - Kayaking
- Interpretive Programs - Interpretive Programs
- Motor Boat - Motor Boat
- Mountain Climbing - Mountain Climbing
- Non-Motorized Boating - Non-Motorized Boating
- Off Highway Vehicle Trails - Off Highway Vehicle Trails
- Off Road Vehicle Trails - Off Road Vehicle Trails
- Paddle Boating - Paddle Boating
- Picnicking - Picnicking
- Rock Climbing - Rock Climbing
- Recreational Vehicles - Recreational Vehicles
- Scenic Drive - Scenic Drive
- Swimming - Swimming
- Water Activities - Water Activities
- Wilderness - Wilderness
Directions
From Angel Camp, drive 50 miles east on Highway 4.
Contact Information
Phone: 209-753-6350
STANISLAUSCA
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 17, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 20, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 10, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 1, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 18, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site B001, Loop LODB, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 3, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 16, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 13, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A001, Loop LODG, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 14, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 2, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 7, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 6, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 9, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 19, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
