Boating - Motorized Areas

• Highway 108 Corridor

  The Scenic Highway 108 Sonora Pass route begins at an elevation of about 3,000 feet, and rises to an elevation of 9,628 feet above sea level.  The pass connects the communities of Sonora to the west and Bridgeport to the east.  Like Most high elevation passes across the Sierra Nevada, the highway is closed in the winter, generally between November and May, due to large quantities of snow.

  The highway over the pass is extremely steep, narrow and winding between Kennedy Meadows on the west side to Leavitt Meadows on the east.  The route is not recommended for vehicles or vehicle combinations that are unusually wide, heavy or long.  Adjacent to the summit of the pass is a picnic/parking area to nearby Sonora Peak, Wolf Creek Lake, and other spots north or south along the Pacific Crest Trail.

  

• Lakes - Highway 108 Corridor

  Whether you are swimming or in a boat, be sure to exercise care and follow water safety rules at all times. Wear an approved life jacket or vest while boating. Never swim alone and don't overestimate your ability. Avoid swimming in streams and rivers during periods of swift flowing spring snowmelt or summer thunderstorms.

• Beardsley Reservoir
• Pinecrest Lake
• Highway 120 Corridor

  Highway 120 provides year-round access to Central Sierra Nevada Mountains. The highway traverses the southern portion of the Stanislaus National Forest, between the elevations of 2,800 and 4,700 feet. The highway continues through Yosemite National Park, eventually reaching an elevation of 9,943 feet at Tioga Pass, which is subject to annual winter closure.

  The Groveland Ranger District encompasses the Highway 120 corridor on the Stanislaus National Forest. For the most current information please call the Groveland Ranger District at (209) 962-7825, or stop by our office on Highway 120.

• Campgrounds - Highway 120 Corridor

  Situated in the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Groveland Ranger District offers many beautiful sites for camping in a variety of settings. The Groveland Ranger District manages eight campgrounds within the Highway 120 Corridor between the historic town of Groveland and Yosemite National Park.

  All campgrounds offer vault toilets, tables, grills and fire rings. Large motor homes and trailers cannot be accommodated in some campgrounds, and electric and sewer hookups are not available.

• Cherry Valley Campground
• Lakes and Rivers - Highway 120 Corridor

  Lakes and Rivers along the Highway 120 Corridor

  California Campfire Permit is required to have fire in a dispersed campsite. Campfire permits can be obtained for free at any Forest Service office or online at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/

• Cherry Lake
  

  Fish and boat on the largest lake on the Forest. Open all year, road access subject to winter closure. Cherry Lake visitors enjoy camping, boating, swimming, fishing and hiking. Recreation facilities include a boat launch and vault restrooms. There are no cell, fuel, grocery, or water services at Cherry Lake. Visitors are advised to plan accordingly. 

  Check current fire restrictions when planning your trip at Stanislaus National Forest - Fire Management (usda.gov)

  California Campfire Permit is required to have fire in a dispersed campsite. Campfire permits can be obtained for free at any Forest Service office or online at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/.

   

   

• Cherry Lake Boat Launch
• Highway 4 Corridor

  Welcome to the Calaveras Ranger District, which encompasses the Highway 4 corridor in the northwest portion of the Stanislaus National Forest. For more information please call the Calaveras Ranger District at 209-795-1381.

  

• Lake Alpine Recreation Area
  

   

  The Lake Alpine Recreation Area features a small, scenic reservoir within a granite basin surrounded by red fir and lodgepole pine forest; it is located just east of the community of Bear Valley on State Highway 4.

• Spicer Reservoir
  

  This page is for the Spicer Reservoir area; visit the Spicer Reservoir Campground page  to view campground status.

  Spicer Reservoir has a surface area of 2,000 acres when full. Visitors enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, and horseback riding.

• Utica/Union Reservoirs
  

  This page is for the Utica/Union Reservoirs area; visit the Utica Reservoirs Campgrounds, Union East Campground, and Union West Campground Pages to view campground statuses.

  These scenic small, twin reservoirs are located off the Spicer Reservoir Road. The setting is more rustic than either Spicer Reservoir or Lake Alpine. The area is popular for fishing, camping, and boating.

• Union East Campground
  

   

  Union Reservoir is set in a granite basin with expansive mountain views. The reservoir has lots of small islands and is kept mostly full. The campground is adjacent to the reservoir, nestled in red fir and lodgepole pine forest.

• Union West Campground