How much does camping cost at Meadowview Campground?

Camping fees at Meadowview Campground range from $38/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Meadowview Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Meadowview Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Meadowview Campground before I book?

Yes! Meadowview Campground has 4 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Meadowview Campground?

Meadowview Campground is open May 16 to September 27. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Meadowview Campground?

Meadowview Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Meadowview Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Meadowview Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Meadowview Campground?

Meadowview Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Meadowview Campground

3.99

94 reviews

SwimmingSummer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

5,600 ft

Price

$38/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on Stanislaus National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

5,600 ft

Price

$38/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on Stanislaus National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Meadowview Campground

$38.00 - $38.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Ovrnight: $38.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(209) 965-3116pinecrestcamp@dodgeridge.com

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Meadowview Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Meadowview Campground

38.1865, -120.0038

Nearby places

Sonora — 30 miles (west)

Kennedy Meadows — 30 miles east of Pinecrest Lake.

Weather at Meadowview Campground

Current alerts(2)

For more information on Stanislaus National Forest, click here
Welcome to Meadowview Campground ► IMPORTANT CAMPGROUND UPDATE — RESERVATIONS REQUIRED ◄ Beginning Summer 2026 , ALL CAMPSITES at Meadowview Campground will require advance reservations during peak season .

Best Time to Camp at Meadowview Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliable weather and full access to Pinecrest Lake’s beach, marina, and trails — ideal for swimming, boating, and family camping. Expect daytime highs around 70–85°F and cool nights in the 40s–50s at 5,600 ft, with long daylight for hiking and biking; weekends can be busy so reserve a spot in loops 300–400. While summer brings occasional afternoon thunderstorms and elevated wildfire restrictions late in the season, it’s when lake recreation and on-site services (r Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Reviewers note fall is especially peaceful and less crowded than summer.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 16 to September 27. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Meadowview Campground

Meadowview Campground sits about a mile from Pinecrest Lake at 5,600 feet in Stanislaus National Forest, offering cabin lodging with meadow views and less crowding than the main Pinecrest campground. The campground operates first-come, first-served, requires exact cash payment and a license plate number at the entrance, and draws campers who want proximity to the lake without the noise.

The campground consists of multiple loops (100–400); loops 300 and 400 are reservation-only while loops 100–200 are first-come, first-served. Sites include paved parking pads, picnic tables, and campfire rings.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliable weather and full access to Pinecrest Lake’s beach, marina, and trails — ideal for swimming, boating, and family camping. Expect daytime highs around 70–85°F and cool nights in the 40s–50s at 5,600 ft, with long daylight for hiking and biking; weekends can be busy so reserve a spot in loops 300–400. While summer brings occasional afternoon thunderstorms and elevated wildfire restrictions late in the season, it’s when lake recreation and on-site services (r Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation5600 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryTall conifers shade many sites on the southwest side of Pinecrest Lake, where meadow views open across the valley floor. The 300-acre lake sits within glacially carved granite terrain typical of the central Sierra Nevada. Reviewers describe the setting as pretty and spacious, with individual sites spread out enough that the campground feels quiet even on busy weekends. Wildlife moves through regularly. Marmots sun on granite, squirrels work the pines, deer browse at dawn, and coyotes cross the meadows at dusk.

Lodging & AccommodationsRecreation cabins are present in the area.

Programs & ActivitiesEducational programs are offered in the recreation area.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

PrivacyMany campsites are shaded by trees and sit near the southwest side of Pinecrest Lake.

Recommended SitesChoose loops 100–200 for walk-up (first-come, first-served) or reserve sites in loops 300–400 in advance. Many sites are shaded and located near the lake for easier water access and wildlife viewing.

Need help booking Meadowview Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Each site includes a paved parking pad, picnic table, and campfire ring. Pets are welcome but must comply with Tuolumne County leash laws. A marina, small shopping center, and recreation cabins are located in the area.

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Lodging and accommodations

Cabin Lodging

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

A wide range of water- and land-based recreation is available at Pinecrest Lake and nearby facilities, including hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, biking, and educational programs.

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.0

94 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Meadowview Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers describe Meadowview Campground as a quiet, pretty, and spacious alternative to the main Pinecrest campground, with many people giving it a perfect rating. Campers appreciate the meadow views, relatively large and spread-out sites, and proximity (about a mile) to Pinecrest Lake without the crowds.

Review Summaries

Based on 94 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers highlight the beautiful meadow views and overall attractive setting, noting it as a “very pretty campground” with “lots of spaces.” Many appreciate that it is quieter and less crowded than...

Based on 94 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints are minor but include poor cell reception (one reviewer with Sprint said service “sucked”) and occasional confusion about whether a site is truly vacant due to old permits left on site...

Based on 94 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Several reviewers recommend arriving well before evening to find a spot and avoid setting up in the dark and bugs, especially since it’s first-come, first-served and you must drive through to locate...

Based on 94 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Multiple reviews note that weekdays and non-holiday periods are quieter, and that fall in the Pinecrest area is especially peaceful compared to summer. One camper reported visiting in winter while...

Based on 94 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Great place for camping especially on weekdays. About a mile from pinecrest lake but without the crowd!! Just love it” “Meadowview in my opinion is better than Pinecrest campground. At Meadowview...

Based on 94 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

Families or couples who want Pinecrest Lake access (swimming, trout fishing, the 4-mile lake loop trail) without the noise: reviewers consistently say this place stays calmer even on busy weekends. Starting summer 2026, book ahead for Memorial Day through Labor Day, as peak-seaso

Skip if

No cell signal is the real catch here, so download maps and sort out navigation before you leave home. The cash-only, exact-change permit system also trips people up, and with no hookups or showers on-site, anyone who needs those basics should look at the Pinecrest area lodges in

Nearby Campgrounds

4.0

(94)

Meadowview Campground

Stanislaus National Forest

Meadowview Campground sits in the mid-elevation forest of Stanislaus National Forest near Pinecrest Lake. Operated by Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort under special use permit, this large campground offers spacious sites with flush toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Visitors fish, explore scenic hiking trails, and enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife of the area.