Stanislaus National Forest Adjusts Fire Restrictions
Sonora, Calif. — October 21, 2021. A combination of recent rain, snow, and cooler temperatures has reduced the fire danger within portions of the Stanislaus National Forest, enabling an adjustment to the fire restrictions that were put into place across the entire Forest back in August.
High elevation (low fire hazard) areas on the Forest will no longer have any fire restrictions beginning tomorrow, October 22, 2021. Within the Moderate and High Fire Hazard Areas, some restrictions will remain in place until additional moisture is received. While no recreational shooting may take place, visitors with a valid California hunting license may continue their fall hunting activities. Campfires are now allowed within open Developed Recreation Sites specifically listed in the new Forest Orders. Please refer to the two new Forest Orders (STF-16-2021-13 pertaining to the High Hazard Areas and STF-16-2021-14 for the Moderate Hazard Areas) for additional information.
Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken shares ‘we are grateful for our visitor efforts to help us prevent new fire starts on the Stanislaus National Forest over the past few weeks when conditions were extremely dry and available fire-fighting resources were very limited. We still have a need for some restrictions but remain hopefully that the incoming weather will allow us to completely lift our remaining fire restrictions soon.’
Visitors are reminded to remain aware of their surroundings on the Forest as conditions can deteriorate rapidly this time of the year.
October 2021 Know Before You Go! Weather is changing quickly. Check Caltrans for information about Highway conditions. You can also find information by visiting the Caltrans Facebook page.
Stanislaus National Forest is soliciting public comment on proposed fee changes to recreation sites for maintenance and infrastructure improvement. The Forest is proposing to charge new or increased fees at 31 developed recreation sites to conduct deferred maintenance and make improvements to enhance visitor enjoyment. More information on the Recreation Fee Proposal process including maps of sites included in the proposal package is available here. Public comments on the proposed fee changes to the developed recreation program must be submitted by close of business on November 30, 2021. Information on ways to submit comments is available here.
CAL FIRE suspended dooryard burning permits (residential burn piles) effective 5/2. Contact your local fire agency or CAL FIRE for more information.
Prescribed burn plans announced for the Experimental Forest and Mi-Wok Ranger District: News releases for prescribed burn plans on South Fork on the Mi-Wok Ranger District and the Experimental Forest on the Summit Ranger District are located in the News & Alerts section of the website. In addition, maps for both burn notices are included with the news release.
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Forest Orders
Temporary Fire Restrictions, Moderate Fire Hazard and High Fire Hazard Area, effective October 22, 2021, through December 31, 2021. (STF-16-2021-13 and STF-16-2021-14)
Henry Fire Area Closure effective July 9, 2021 (STF-16-2021-11).
Forest Road Closure (Road 1S28B) effective July 2, 2021 (STF-16-2021-10).
Rainbow Pool alcohol restrictions effective June 25, 2021 (STF-16-2021-09).
Cherry Lake Camping restrictions effective June 25, 2021 (STF-16-2021-08).
October 2021: The Pinecrest Day Use Area is open to the public year-round. The Forest Service has been working closely with Tuolumne County and State officials to ensure alignment with all State and County health guidelines.
We are asking visitors to socially distance themselves from other parties in compliance with State and County health guidelines.
Trash removal is limited - please pack and take all your trash and waste with you when you leave!
The boat ramp is open, water levels are dropping, check with the Pinecrest Lake Marina for more details.
Pinecrest businesses are open. All permitted businesses are required to follow State and County health guidelines, so you may notice adaptations when you visit.
Restrooms are open and cleaned daily. Visitors will need to bring their own hand sanitizer and soap in the day use area. Paper towels are not provided, visitors are advised to bring a hand towel if you want to dry your hands.
The water spiggots around the Day Use area have been shut off for the season.
Park your vehicle in designated locations and in parking stalls only.
If you are planning a trip to Pinecrest Lake, please know it can be extremely crowded, especially on weekends!
Campgrounds
Campground Information
Developed campgrounds on the Stanislaus are generally open from May to October. Some campgrounds may be open as early as April and close as late as December. Go to Recreation to learn and find recreation opportunities on the Forest, including campgrounds. If you have questions, call the Ranger District where the campground is located for more information.
Wilderness Permits
A Wilderness Permit is required for overnight trips into the Emigrant, the Carson-Iceberg, and/or the Mokelumne Wilderness Areas.
You can acquire a permit the following ways: Phone, Walk-In, or Online
Phone: Please call the nearest Ranger District office to your trailhead departure for your permit 1 to 5-days in advance of trip departure date.
Walk-In: You may acquire a permit on the same day or day before your trip from a Ranger District Office nearest to the departure trailhead.
Online: Online applications must be submitted 5 to 15-days in advance.
To apply online, your trip plan must meet all the following conditions:
You must submit no less than 5-days prior to your trip start date, and no more than 15-days ahead of your trip start date. This gives staff time to review the request and possibly make a change based on regulations. It also ensures permit requirements are met.
Your trip must be no more than 7-nights total. If your trip is longer, call the District office to get a permit. The online system currently does not have the ability to issue permits for trips longer than 7-days.
Your trip must start at a trailhead on the Stanislaus National Forest and the trip must stay within one of the three Wilderness Areas above. The online system currently does not have the ability to issue multi-wilderness requests.
You must be able to receive email and print the permit. Visitors are required to carry a paper copy of the permit during the trip. If you do not have access to a printer, call the District office and a copy can be printed and be ready at the office for pick-up, either inside the office or in the overnight pick-up box.
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) and Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) Recreation Information
The Stanislaus National Forest has hundreds of miles of roads and trails for OHVs to explore. Most OHV routes are open to wheeled-vehicles for riding and driving from April 15 to December 15. In the high-elevations country and during winter snow, tracked OSVs are permitted on groomed routes and in other areas where snow is continuous and with minimum depths, some area restrictions apply. For more information on OHV riding opportunities, go to OHV Riding in Recreation; for OSV riding opportunities, go to Winter Sports in Recreation.
Forest Product Permits
If you are looking for other forest product permits, please contact the ranger district (phone numbers are listed above) where you wish to collect other forest products for more information.
Fuelwood permits can be requested through the Permit Request Line at 209-288-6241. Please leave a voicemail with your name and telephone number and a front desk clerk will contact you.
Mushroom permits are available for harvesting on all ranger districts. To request a mushroom permit please call the ranger district office in the area where you want to harvest. View the 2021 free permit 16-117a Forest Products ROG.
For information about other forest product permits, please call the Ranger District closest to you or the Forest Supervisor's Office.
Forest Visitor Maps
Are you looking for a Stanislaus National Forest map? Our partner, 3 Forests Interpretive Association, or 3FIA, offers National Forest Visitor Maps for sale online! Learn more about other online map tools.
Forest Supervisor's Notes
Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken believes there is nothing more critical to maintaining good relationships than communication. Residents, communities and ranger districts share a dedication to keeping the forest healthy, but sometimes Forest Service procedures and actions may not be clearly understood by those outside the agency. Jason is committed to engaging the community by sharing information about some of the actions being undertaken on the forest. Jason will post a series of notes highlighting some of the vital activities that go into regaining a healthy forest. Read Jason's notes.
Fun activities you can do on your own in the Stanislaus National Forest: nature exploration, Junior Ranger booklets, tours, trails, mobile apps, videos, and more!
A vistitor guide in an app! Recreation information, tours, maps, and activities. Download before you go for use offline or view on the web when you have connectivity.
Forest Orders
Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken believes there is nothing more critical to maintaining good relationships than communication. Residents, communities and ranger districts share a dedication to keeping the forest healthy, but sometimes Forest Service procedures and actions may not be clearly understood by those outside the agency. Jason is committed to engaging the community by sharing information about some of the actions being undertaken on the forest. Jason will post a series of notes highlighting some of the vital activities that go into regaining a healthy forest. 
