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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.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Calaveras Ranger District (HWY 4) |
|---|
Activities
Mountain Biking
Areas for Mountain Biking at Highway 4 Corridor
- Arnold Rim Trail
- Arnold Rim Trail - Cedar Center Trailhead
- Arnold Rim Trail - Logging Museum Trailhead-Arnold
- Arnold Rim Trail - San Domingo Southern Trailhead
- Arnold Rim Trail - Sheep Ranch Rd & Valley View Dr
- Arnold Rim Trail - Sheep Ranch Road & 4N41Y
- Arnold Rim Trail - Valley View Drive Trailhead
- Mosquito Lakes Trailhead
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Mosquito Lakes Trailhead)
- Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley/ MCCT Trail
- Mosquito Lks to PacificV/MCCT (Mosq Lks Trailhead)
- Mosquito Lks to PacificV/MCCT (PacificV Trailhead)
- Pacific Valley Trailhead
- Stanislaus Meadow Trailhead
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Stanislaus Meadow Trailhead)
- Lake Alpine Recreation Area
- Alpine Bypass Trail
- Bear Valley to Lake Alpine Trail
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Emigrant West Trailhead)
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Lakeshore Trailhead)
- Lakeshore Trail
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Silver Valley Trailhead)
- Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail (MCCT)
- Spicer Sand Flat Trailhead (at Spicer Reservoir)
- Wheats Meadow Trailhead (Spicer Dam side)
- Utica/Union Reservoirs
- Union East Campground
- Union East Campground to Elephant Rock Lake Trail
Campground Camping
Large motor homes and trailers cannot be accommodated in some campgrounds, and electric and sewer hookups are not available.
Click here for a map and table of campgrounds on the Highway 4 Corridor.
Areas for Campground Camping at Highway 4 Corridor
- Big Meadow Campground
- Black Springs OHV Campground
- Bloomfield Campground
- Hermit Valley
- Hermit Valley Campground
- Highland Lakes
- Highland Lakes Campground
- Lake Alpine Recreation Area
- Backpacker's Walk-In Campground
- Lake Alpine Campground (West Shore)
- Lodgepole Campground
- Pine Marten Campground
- Silver Valley Campground
- Silvertip Campground
- Moore Creek Campground
- Mosquito Lakes
- Mosquito Lakes Campground
- Pacific Valley Campground
- Sand Flat Campground (4wd only)
- Sourgrass Recreation Area
- Wakalu Hep Yo (Wild River) Campground
- Spicer Reservoir
- Spicer Reservoir Campground
- Stanislaus River Campground
- Utica/Union Reservoirs
- Union East Campground
- Union West Campground
- Utica Reservoir Campgrounds
RV Camping
Areas for RV Camping at Highway 4 Corridor
- Big Meadow Campground
- Hermit Valley Campground
- Lake Alpine Recreation Area
- Lake Alpine Campground (West Shore)
- Pine Marten Campground
- Silvertip Campground
- Pacific Valley Campground
- Sourgrass Recreation Area
- Wakalu Hep Yo (Wild River) Campground
- Spicer Reservoir
- Spicer Reservoir Campground
- Stanislaus River Campground
Group Camping
Areas for Group Camping at Highway 4 Corridor
- Big Meadow Group Campground
- Lake Alpine Recreation Area
- Lodgepole Group Campground
- Spicer Reservoir
- Spicer Reservoir Group Campground
Dispersed Camping
Areas for Dispersed Camping at Highway 4 Corridor
Lake and Pond Fishing
Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Highway 4 Corridor
- Carson-Iceberg Wilderness - Highway 4 Access
- Highland Lakes
- Lake Alpine Recreation Area
- Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail (MCCT)
- Mokelumne Wilderness
- Mosquito Lakes
- Mosquito Lakes Campground
- Spicer Reservoir
- Utica/Union Reservoirs
- Union East Campground
- Union West Campground
River and Stream Fishing
Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Highway 4 Corridor
Day Hiking
The Calaveras Ranger District maintains 279 miles of hiking trails (143 in Wilderness, 136 non-Wilderness), offering anything from short, easy day hikes to strenuous, multi-day backpacking opportunities. Most of these trails are at high elevation (above 6,000 feet) and are accessible only during the summer and early fall months.
Click here for a table of recommended trails.
Areas for Day Hiking at Highway 4 Corridor
- Arnold Rim Trail
- Arnold Rim Trail - Cedar Center Trailhead
- Arnold Rim Trail - Logging Museum Trailhead-Arnold
- Arnold Rim Trail - San Domingo Southern Trailhead
- Arnold Rim Trail - Sheep Ranch Rd & Valley View Dr
- Arnold Rim Trail - Sheep Ranch Road & 4N41Y
- Arnold Rim Trail - Valley View Drive Trailhead
- Carson-Iceberg Wilderness - Highway 4 Access
- Elephant Rock Lake Trailhead
- Rock Lake Trail
- Gardner Meadow Trailhead
- Asa Lake/ Lower Gardner Meadow Trail
- Upper Gardner Meadow Trail
- Highland Creek Trailhead (at Highland Lakes)
- Highland Creek Trail (Highland Creek Trailhead)
- Mosquito Lakes Trailhead
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Mosquito Lakes Trailhead)
- Heiser Lake Trail
- Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley/ MCCT Trail
- Mosquito Lks to PacificV/MCCT (Mosq Lks Trailhead)
- Mosquito Lks to PacificV/MCCT (PacificV Trailhead)
- Pacific Valley Trailhead
- Bull Run Creek Trail
- Silver Valley Trailhead-Carson Iceberg Wilderness
- Stanislaus Meadow Trailhead
- Bull Run Lake Trail
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Stanislaus Meadow Trailhead)
- Summit Lake/ Mud Lake Trailhead
- Tryon Meadow Trailhead
- Milk Ranch Meadow Trail
- Wheats Meadow Trailhead (Spicer Dam Side)(CIW)
- Hermit Valley
- Highland Lakes
- Lake Alpine Recreation Area
- Alpine Bypass Trail
- Bear Valley to Lake Alpine Trail
- Bee Gulch Trailhead
- Bee Gulch Trail
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Emigrant West Trailhead)
- Lakeshore Trail/ Inspiration Point Trailhead
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Lakeshore Trailhead)
- Inspiration Point Trail
- Lakeshore Trail
- Osborne Ridge Trail
- Silver Valley Trailhead
- Duck Lake Trail
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Silver Valley Trailhead)
- Highland Creek Trail (Silver Valley Trailhead)
- Rock Lake Trail (from Silver Valley Trailhead)
- Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail (MCCT)
- Mokelumne Wilderness
- Deer Creek Trail
- Deer Valley/ Stevenot Camp Trailhead
- Lake Valley Trailhead
- Camp Irene Trail
- Sandy Meadow Trailhead
- Sandy Meadow Trail
- Woodchuck Basin Trailhead
- Wheeler Ridge/ Wheeler Lake Trail
- Mosquito Lakes
- Mosquito Lakes Campground
- Spicer Reservoir
- Spicer Sand Flat Trailhead (at Spicer Reservoir)
- Wheats Meadow Trailhead (Spicer Dam side)
- Utica/Union Reservoirs
- Union East Campground
- Union East Campground to Elephant Rock Lake Trail
- Union West Campground
Backpacking
Click here for a table of recommended trails.
Areas for Backpacking at Highway 4 Corridor
- Carson-Iceberg Wilderness - Highway 4 Access
- Elephant Rock Lake Trailhead
- Rock Lake Trail
- Gardner Meadow Trailhead
- Asa Lake/ Lower Gardner Meadow Trail
- Upper Gardner Meadow Trail
- Highland Creek Trailhead (at Highland Lakes)
- Highland Creek Trail (Highland Creek Trailhead)
- Mosquito Lakes Trailhead
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Mosquito Lakes Trailhead)
- Heiser Lake Trail
- Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley/ MCCT Trail
- Mosquito Lks to PacificV/MCCT (Mosq Lks Trailhead)
- Mosquito Lks to PacificV/MCCT (PacificV Trailhead)
- Pacific Valley Trailhead
- Bull Run Creek Trail
- Silver Valley Trailhead-Carson Iceberg Wilderness
- Stanislaus Meadow Trailhead
- Bull Run Lake Trail
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Stanislaus Meadow Trailhead)
- Summit Lake/ Mud Lake Trailhead
- Tryon Meadow Trailhead
- Milk Ranch Meadow Trail
- Wheats Meadow Trailhead (Spicer Dam Side)(CIW)
- Hermit Valley
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Emigrant West Trailhead)
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Lakeshore Trailhead)
- Silver Valley Trailhead
- Duck Lake Trail
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Silver Valley Trailhead)
- Highland Creek Trail (Silver Valley Trailhead)
- Rock Lake Trail (from Silver Valley Trailhead)
- Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail (MCCT)
- Mokelumne Wilderness
- Deer Creek Trail
- Deer Valley/ Stevenot Camp Trailhead
- Lake Valley Trailhead
- Camp Irene Trail
- Sandy Meadow Trailhead
- Sandy Meadow Trail
- Woodchuck Basin Trailhead
- Wheeler Ridge/ Wheeler Lake Trail
- Spicer Reservoir
- Spicer Sand Flat Trailhead (at Spicer Reservoir)
- Wheats Meadow Trailhead (Spicer Dam side)
Horse Riding
Areas for Horse Riding at Highway 4 Corridor
- Arnold Rim Trail
- Arnold Rim Trail - Cedar Center Trailhead
- Arnold Rim Trail - Logging Museum Trailhead-Arnold
- Arnold Rim Trail - San Domingo Southern Trailhead
- Arnold Rim Trail - Sheep Ranch Rd & Valley View Dr
- Arnold Rim Trail - Sheep Ranch Road & 4N41Y
- Arnold Rim Trail - Valley View Drive Trailhead
- Carson-Iceberg Wilderness - Highway 4 Access
- Gardner Meadow Trailhead
- Asa Lake/ Lower Gardner Meadow Trail
- Upper Gardner Meadow Trail
- Highland Creek Trailhead (at Highland Lakes)
- Highland Creek Trail (Highland Creek Trailhead)
- Mosquito Lakes Trailhead
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Mosquito Lakes Trailhead)
- Mosquito Lakes to Pacific Valley/ MCCT Trail
- Mosquito Lks to PacificV/MCCT (Mosq Lks Trailhead)
- Mosquito Lks to PacificV/MCCT (PacificV Trailhead)
- Pacific Valley Trailhead
- Bull Run Creek Trail
- Stanislaus Meadow Trailhead
- Bull Run Lake Trail
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Stanislaus Meadow Trailhead)
- Milk Ranch Meadow Trail
- Wheats Meadow Trailhead (Spicer Dam Side)(CIW)
- Highland Lakes
- Lake Alpine Recreation Area
- Bear Valley to Lake Alpine Trail
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Emigrant West Trailhead)
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Lakeshore Trailhead)
- Lakeshore Trail
- Silver Valley Trailhead
- Duck Lake Trail
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Silver Valley Trailhead)
- Highland Creek Trail (Silver Valley Trailhead)
- Rock Lake Trail (from Silver Valley Trailhead)
- Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail (MCCT)
- Mokelumne Wilderness
- Deer Creek Trail
- Deer Valley/ Stevenot Camp Trailhead
- Sandy Meadow Trailhead
- Sandy Meadow Trail
- Woodchuck Basin Trailhead
- Wheeler Ridge/ Wheeler Lake Trail
- Spicer Reservoir
- Spicer Sand Flat Trailhead (at Spicer Reservoir)
- Wheats Meadow Trailhead (Spicer Dam side)
- Utica/Union Reservoirs
- Union East Campground
- Union East Campground to Elephant Rock Lake Trail
OHV Camping
Areas for OHV Camping at Highway 4 Corridor
OHV Road Riding
Areas for OHV Road Riding at Highway 4 Corridor
OHV Trail Riding
Areas for OHV Trail Riding at Highway 4 Corridor
Visitor Programs
Please visit the Outdoor Learning page for program guides and a calendar of events.
General Info:
General NotesA variety of programs are offered in the summer for both children and adults. Please visit the Outdoor Learning page for program guides and a calendar of events.
Areas for Visitor Programs at Highway 4 Corridor
- Black Springs OHV Campground
- Lake Alpine Recreation Area
- Backpacker's Walk-In Campground
- Lake Alpine Campground (West Shore)
- Lodgepole Campground
- Lodgepole Group Campground
- Marmot Day Use/ Picnic Area
- Pine Marten Campground
- Silver Valley Campground
- Sourgrass Recreation Area
- Wakalu Hep Yo (Wild River) Campground
Visitor Centers
Areas for Visitor Centers at Highway 4 Corridor
Picnicking
Areas for Picnicking at Highway 4 Corridor
Scenic Driving
Travel one of the most intimate and untamed trans-Sierra routes — the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway. Jutting up from the heart of the Sierra Nevada with Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park as its neighbors, the byway is a 61-mile stretch of Highways 4 and 89 between the towns of Arnold in Calaveras County and Markleeville in Alpine County, California.
For more information, visit the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway website (opens in new tab; you will be leaving the Stanislaus National Forest website; click on our tab to come back).
Areas for Scenic Driving at Highway 4 Corridor
Boating - Motorized
As home to a multitude of lakes and reservoirs, as well as 811 miles of rivers and streams and 18 fish species, the Stanislaus offers a wide variety of water recreation opportunities. 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.
Areas for Boating - Motorized at Highway 4 Corridor
- Lake Alpine Recreation Area
- Spicer Reservoir
- Utica/Union Reservoirs
- Union East Campground
- Union West Campground
Boating - Non-Motorized
Areas for Boating - Non-Motorized at Highway 4 Corridor
- Highland Lakes
- Lake Alpine Recreation Area
- Sourgrass Recreation Area
- North Fork Stanislaus River
- Spicer Reservoir
- Utica/Union Reservoirs
- Union East Campground
- Union West Campground
- Utica Reservoir Campgrounds
Swimming
Areas for Swimming at Highway 4 Corridor
Skiing/Snowboarding
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Highway 4 Corridor
- Hermit Valley
- Highland Lakes
- Lake Alpine SNO-PARK
- Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail (MCCT)
- Round Valley SNO-PARK
- Spicer SNO-PARK
Snowmobiling
Many areas of the Calaveras Ranger District are open and accessible for motorized oversnow travel during the winter months. The District offers 35 miles of groomed over-snow vehicle routes, as well as many more miles of un-groomed trail and open cross-country riding areas. Motorized over-snow travel is prohibited in some areas.
Areas for Snowmobiling at Highway 4 Corridor