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Stanislaus/Meadowview
Overview
Located in the heart of the Stanislaus National Forest, Meadowview Campground provides a traditional mountain camping experience for those seeking a peaceful retreat. This seasonal destination is managed by the Forest Service and offers a serene, shaded environment under a canopy of towering ponderosa pines and incense cedars. It serves as a quieter alternative to the busier lakeside campgrounds while remaining close enough to enjoy all the local water activities and scenic vistas Pinecrest is known for.
Location & Surroundings
Situated at an elevation of approximately 5,600 feet, the park is nestled within the rugged beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The surrounding landscape is characterized by dense forests, granite outcroppings, and fresh mountain air. Visitors are just a short distance from the stunning Pinecrest Lake, a crystalline mountain reservoir that serves as the hub for outdoor recreation in the area. The location offers a perfect balance of secluded wilderness and proximity to central mountain services.
Amenities & Park Features
As a rustic forest service site, Meadowview focuses on the essentials of dry camping. The park features paved spurs for RVs and trailers, though it is important to note that full hookups are not available. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and a sturdy fire ring with a grill for evening campfires. Guests have access to vault toilets and centrally located potable water faucets throughout the loops. While the amenities are simple, the well-spaced sites offer a sense of privacy and a genuine connection to the natural landscape.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw is the nearby Pinecrest Lake Resort area, where visitors can enjoy swimming, kayaking, and fishing for rainbow trout. The Pinecrest National Recreation Trail offers a scenic four-mile loop around the water, providing relatively flat terrain and beautiful views of the surrounding peaks. For those looking for more adventure, the nearby Emigrant Wilderness offers miles of rugged backcountry hiking trails and pristine alpine scenery that showcase the wild side of California.
Who This Park Is Best For
Meadowview is ideal for self-contained RVers who appreciate a quiet, no-frills environment and the sounds of nature. It is best suited for smaller to medium-sized rigs due to the winding forest roads and specific site dimensions. If you enjoy dry camping and prioritize immediate access to hiking and high-altitude scenery over resort-style luxuries, this campground offers the perfect home base for your Sierra Nevada explorations and a true escape from the bustle of daily life.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Susana Rios
Really enjoyed our time out here. It was nice and clean we got our campsite near the restrooms which was a plus. Everyone around was very nice and friendly.
Martin Llamas
Review is for the Dodge Ridge Organization that manages this site not the campground itself. Visited on a busy weekend. Rules state an 8 person maximum, site next to us had easily 20+ people in 8 tents. Dodge ridge patrol drove by this site multiple times during the day/night and did not enforce the user limit or quiet hours all weekend with this loud group going well past 3am all weekend. Something to consider for the future booking as we haven’t had this experience over at the Pinecrest campground or any other campgrounds for that matter. Campground - 4 stars - is nice with exception of the occasional noise coming from the adjacent lair of the bear campground and adjacent roads.
Marlina Graham
BEWARE CAMPERS: (Camp host gave away our site and kicked us out of the campground.) A large group of us decided to head up the hill and go camping. We reserved and paid for 3 campsites for a duration of over a week. Towards the end of our stay we, as a group, decided to go to the lake. When we came back one of our campsite was taken! The camp host decided to pull our tag and give it to someone else because there, "wasn't enough camping equipment out" over all we complained and wanted our site back, which, was paid in full for another 2 days. They would NOT give our PAID site back and eventually kicked our entire group out of our other 2 campsites. We had a total of 18 people including many small children that we had to uproot and find another spot up the hill to set up camp. Very dishonorable camp site + host to allow this kind of behavior. We will not be back. Not to mention the campground was VERY noisy 24/7.
Loo Chao
Clean campground, security constantly patrol the area, and staff is responsive, but they have very annoying water restrictions and the road is narrow with large rocks and trees acting as boundaries to damage your vehicle. Very crowded and limited parking, a great way to generate revenue for the county through parking tickets.
Leeona Davis
Took my kids for the first time. We loved it. Will be returning next summer