A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Forest Service group campground

Pines Group Stanislaus

Forest Service group campground in Stanislaus National Forest, Tuolumne County, California. About 3,200 feet. 19.3 miles from Sonora.

Managed by
Forest Service Stanislaus National Forest
Elevation
About 3,200 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
1 1 group tent only area non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

Pines Group Campground attracts large families and groups friends with its convenient location, just 15 miles from the Yosemite National Park boundary in northern California. It is an ideal base camp for visitors to explore not only Yosemite, but also the fantastic wilderness areas within Stanislaus National Forest, including Carson-Iceberg, Emigrant and Mokelumne Wildernesses. Pets are welcome, but must be compliant with Tuolumne County leash laws.

Recreation

Hike the Little Golden Forest Trail, a half-mile interpretive loop with the option for a longer two-mile loop. A short drive takes visitors to the Tuolumne River for wading and fishing.

Winter sports are very popular in the area as well. Dodge Ridge, Bear Valley and Badger Pass Ski Areas offer a variety of winter activities.

Facilities

The tent-only group site is open year-round and can accommodate up to 50 people. In winter, camping is free but water and toilet paper are not provided.

Natural Features

The tranquil campground sits at an elevation of 3,200 feet, in a mixed conifer forest. The Tuolumne River is nearby, which flows for 150 mies from the central Sierra Nevada to the San Joaquin River.

Nearby Attractions

Take a scenic drive through Yosemite National Park to view its legendary waterfalls and scenery.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • camping
  • climbing
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • swimming site

The land around Pines Group Stanislaus

The ringed pin is this group campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated July 15, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.