Recreation

• Outdoor Safety and Ethics

  

  Make your forest visit a great one by recreating safely and ethically. We have great tips and useful information!

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• Passes & Permits

  

  Whether you're looking to picnic, camp, gather firewood, film, or more, make sure you have your passes and permits ready to go before you head out to the forest!

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• Our Maps

  

  Prepare yourself with digital or printed maps of the forest!

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• Wilderness Information

  

  The Stanislaus has three Wilderness Areas to explore. Free Permits are required to visit these Wilderness Areas. The Carson-Iceberg, the Emigrant, and the Mokelumne Wilderness Areas each offer a distinct and unique experience for camping, backpacking, hiking, fishing, hunting, mountaineering, backcountry-skiing, wildlife-watching, and other non-motorized outdoor pursuits.

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Recreation Conditions

The Recreation Conditions Report below displays conditions for all campgrounds, trailheads, and recreation areas on the Stanislaus and are identified by highway corridor location.

The Recreation Conditions Report below is updated based on field-going staff updates. There may be a delay between on the ground conditions and the status listed on the report. For the most up to date information call a Stanislaus National Forest District Office for the area you plan to visit.

Current Recreation Conditions

Spotlights

Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River

Considered to be some of the best "All Around" whitewater in the nation, the Main Tuolumne offers 16-18 miles of Class 4-5 rapids. Side streams such as the Clavey River, Big Creek, and the North Fork of the Tuolumne River offers side hikes, fishing holes, and warm swimming pools during the summer months. 

Main Tuolumne - The Main Tuolumne is a challenging and enjoyable Class 4+, 18-mile whitewater run through the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. This section has some demanding rapids spaced at close intervals. At above 4,000 cubic feet per second (CFS). The river becomes more powerful and recovery more difficult. The biggest rapid, the Clavey, can be walked around or portaged. Camping is available at several sites along the way. Reservoir release summer flows generally arrive at Merals Pool launch mid-morning and drop to less than 300cfs after noon. A three-day trip allows boaters to enjoy the canyon and its tributaries. River flow graphs can be found at http://dreamflows.com.

During spring runoff, flows above 5,000 CFS make the Main Tuolumne a class 5 experience. The takeout at Wards Ferry Bridge is difficult and dangerous at all times. Stay hydrated and exercise caution carrying boats up the bridge.

Cherry Creek - The 9-mile class 5+ Cherry Creek/Tuolumne run is one of the most challenging commercial runs in the world. Yet the nature of the rock in the riverbed allows expert boaters an exhilarating experience. It has 15 class 5 rapids. Two 5+ rapids (Flat Rock Falls and Lumsden Falls) are recommended portage. Generally, it is run below 2,000 CFS. Boaters who attempt this run are well-advised to go with experts that have run the river before. As with the Main T, a permit is required to run the river. Permits are available at www.recreation.gov 

Separate permits are required from Cherry-Creek to Merals Pool and from Merals Pool to Wards Ferry Bridge.

Merals Pool Put-In

The Main Tuolumne is a challenging and enjoyable Class 4+, 18-mile whitewater run through the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. This section has some demanding rapids spaced at close intervals. At above 4,000 cubic feet per second (CFS). The river becomes more powerful and recovery more difficult. The biggest rapid, the Clavey, can be walked around or portaged. Camping is available at several sites along the way. Reservoir release summer flows generally arrive at Merals Pool launch mid-morning and drop to less than 300cfs after noon. A three-day trip allows boaters to enjoy the canyon and its tributaries. 

Trail of the Ancient Dwarfs

The Trail of the Ancient Dwarfs is a magical place where the forces of nature and humans merge. Natures forces have shaped this landscape, the shape of the rocks, soils, and trees are a result of the effects of millions of years of geologic forces, weather, and erosion. Humans too shaped this landscape. One can find evidence in the rocks, and soils that the Me-wuk people have lived in this area for over 15,000 years. Like a lightening bolt , everything changed. People came from all over the world and changed this landscape even further. Here on this trail you will see evidence of that, the Old Mono Highway which served as a route for wagons first then cars was carved into the mountain. As you walk take notice of both nature and human influence on the landscape.

This trail starts on the other side of Niagara Creek. Please cross the creek by foot. Be careful—if the creek is too high do not cross. NOTE: The old bridge has been condemned it is NOT safe to cross. The interpretive trail starts after a short walk to the start. The walk to the start of the is 0.42 miles and the interpretive trail is 0.46 miles. Round trip is about 2 miles.

Please download the Interpretive Guide or pick up a copy at the Summit Ranger Station. Check out this video on how the trail was rehabilitated! Thank you the CSERC, local volunteers, and the Recreation Staff from the Summit Ranger District for bringing this trail back to life. 

Cherry Creek Put-in

The 9-mile class 5+ Cherry Creek/Tuolumne run is one of the most challenging commercial runs in the world. Yet the nature of the rock in the riverbed allows expert boaters an exhilarating experience. It has 15 class 5 rapids (one 5+ rapid with recommended portage). Generally, it is run below 2,000 CFS. Boaters who attempt this run are well-advised to go with experts that have run the river before. As with the Main T, permits are required to float this section. Available at Recreation.gov