Big Meadow Campground
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.
General Information
No garbage service: Pack it in, Pack it out.
Bear boxes are available at campground sites.
The campground is located adjacent to Highway 4; some traffic noise may be apparent in individual sites close to the highway.
Check in: 2:00 p.m.; Check-out: 12:00 p.m.; Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.
America the Beautiful passes (Senior and Access versions only) and Golden Age and Golden Access passes are accepted and reduce camping fee to half-price.
Some sites may be closed at various times due to hazard trees.
Overnight Use:
Single Site: $30/night.
Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount to Single Campsites ONLY.
*The discount applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additional fee or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass holder's party.*
https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes
Please be prepared to pay with CASH or CHECK.
*Sites may be reservable and reservation fees apply.*
The Forest Service operates the Big Meadow Campground and charges the following fees: New campsite fee prices, 2024 & 2025 $25 per night and fee raises to $30 per night in 2026. The America the Beautiful, Interagency Senior and Access Passes are honored and receive 50% off the nightly rate. Only applicable to the single site the pass holder occupies. Pass number must be written on fee envelope. The Interagency Annual and Volunteer passes do not provide any discounts on camping.
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 38.416835
Longitude: -120.106472
Elevation
6,460 feet
Directions
Adjacent to Big Meadow Group Campground, nine miles southwest of Lake Alpine on Highway 4, 20 miles east of Arnold.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.