Go if
Weekday tent campers who want roomy, well-separated sites with easy day-trip access to Lake Alpine (9 miles) and Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Pack all your water in and bring a bug net for early summer.
Big Meadow Campground
4.2528 reviewsBig Meadow Campground, Stanislaus National Forest, California
Quick Facts
5,300 ftPrice
$25 - $30/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
52 campsites
Season
Seasonal operation f...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Quick Facts
5,300 ftPrice
$25 - $30/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
52 campsites
Season
Seasonal operation f...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Big Meadow Campground
$25.00 - $30.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Single Site: $30 per night
Campsite fee price is $30 per night.
Standard Site Fee$25.00
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Big Meadow Campground, Stanislaus National Forest, California
Big Meadow Campground
Big Meadow Campground, Stanislaus National Forest, California
Nearby places
Arnold (20 miles, approximately 25 minutes), Lake Alpine (9 miles, approximately 15 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Groceries, camping supplies, and fuel available in Arnold, 20 miles away. Additional supplies may be found at Lake Alpine, 9 miles away.
Weather at Big Meadow Campground
About Big Meadow Campground
Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist
Skip if
No showers, no potable water, no dump station, and vault toilets that reviewers say sometimes run out of supplies. RVs aren't accommodated, and anyone sensitive to road noise should know some sites sit squarely in earshot of Highway 4.
From the U.S. Forest Service
Reference information about Big Meadow Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
Overview
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text" /><link rel="stylesheet" type="text" /><script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.8.3/jquery.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5317644.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5368835.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5368836.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">$(window).load(function() { $('#slider').nivoSlider( { effect: 'fade', startSlide: 0, animSpeed: 750, pauseTime: 8000 });});</script><div> </div><div id="slider"><img alt="Big Meadow Campground Entrance" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd476852.jpg" title="Big Meadow Campground Entrance" /> <img alt="Big Meadow Campground" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd476845.jpg" title="Big Meadow Campground" /> <img alt="Big Meadow Campground Information Board" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd476851.jpg" title="Big Meadow Campground Information Board" /><img alt="Big Meadow Campground Pond" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd476849.jpg" title="Big Meadow Campground Pond" /></div><!-- /SLIDER --><p> </p><p><br />Located on the Calaveras Ranger District, this scenic campground is within a conifer forest of red fir, white fir, and lodgepole pine with scattered quaking aspen. Sites are large, private and shady. Natural granitic rock outcrops are scattered throughout.</p>
About the campground
The elevation is 5,300 ft. The campground has two loops through a dense stand of mixed Red and White firs, as well as Jeffery and Lodgepole pines. Some camp sites have views of surrounding mountains. Huge boulders are scattered throughout campground. The boulders and shrubs give the campground character. Originally "Big Meadow" was acattle camp, the last stop on the cattle drive to Bear Valley's summer range. The campground is centrally located for many possible daytrips to Lake Alpine, Calaveras Big Tree State Park, and Spicer Reservior. The active interpretive program offered at the Alpine Lake Recreation Area provides a variety of activities. Check the information board at campground for details. This is bear country; practice safe food storage technique. Stanislaus National Forest 367
Seasons & access
Open May 19 through September 4 - weather dependent
RV information
The parking aprons are either dirt or paved aprons. An RV waste station with potable water, is available for a fee at Calaveras Big Tree State Park, 1.6 mile east of Arnold, CA on State Route 4.
Directions
From Arnold, CA take State Route 4 east 18.9 miles to campground sign. Turn right at sign into campground.
- National Forest
- Stanislaus National Forest
- Ranger District
- Calaveras
- Elevation
- 5,300
- Rate
- $19 per day
- Maximum Stay
- 14
