Forest Updates
CRITICAL UPDATE
Update: Feb. 2, 2020
After the California Stay at Home Order was rescinded, the prohibition on camping in developed campgrounds was also lifted. Most developed campgrounds are closed for the winter season. As our recreation staff are able to ensure conditions make camping possible again we will open those campgrounds that typically remain open year-round. We will let you know as soon as they reopen.
Please visit the California COVID website at www.COVID-19.ca.gov to learn more about the order and how travel outside your local area is impacted.
Important note: Group camping remains unavailable. This includes campgrounds, resorts, organization camps, and other group facilities authorized by Special Use Permit on the Stanislaus National Forest. If you make a group reservation on www.recreation.gov, please understand we do not yet have any information about when developed campgrounds will begin to reopen for groups in 2021. We will keep you updated on this website as information becomes available.
Ski resorts on the National Forest Service lands: Local ski areas are open, with some operational changes due to COVID-19. Skiing may take place, subject to a number of restrictions and mitigations, including pre-purchased ticket requirements at some ski areas. Please visit the specific ski area website where you are thinking of visiting, as well as the state website www.COVID-19.ca.gov
Updated Feb. 26, 2021: Lumsden Road closed for SFPUC improvements project beginning March 1
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is improving the existing 19-mile Mountain Tunnel, which is more than 90 years old and needs repairs to ensure a reliable water supply to Hetch Hetchy customers. The improvements project will widen parts of Lumsden Road and put rockfall protection into place. Lumsden Road will be closed to all traffic from March 1 through April 30, 2021, limiting access to Merals Pool and the Lumsden Campground areas. After April 30 the road will be accessible weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Read more about the Mountain Tunnel Improvements Project.
Updated Jan. 7, 2021: Seasonal district roads closed Dec. 15
Seasonal roads on the Stanislaus National Forest closed on Dec. 15. To learn which roads are seasonally closed roads, view the Motor Vehicle Use Maps for each ranger district.
Updated Feb. 2, 2021 Campfires on the forest
Persons with a valid California campfire permit may have a campfire and use a portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel on National Forest System lands, as long as you have a valid campfire permit. Campfire permits may be requested at www.preventwildfiresca.org.
Updated Nov. 18, 2020: SNO-PARK permits
Visitors interested in winter recreation at SNO-PARKs on the Stanislaus NF will need a SNO-PARK permit from California State Parks. For more information about where to purchase a permit visit the CA State Parks webpage. Be aware that you must display your permit in your vehicle while parked at a SNO-PARK or you risk a parking citation.
Please limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 at SNO-PARKs by practicing social distancing.
Updated Jan. 7, 2021: Online California Burn Permits:
As winter weather continues on the forest, local residents are wanting to conduct authorized burning. Normally California burn permits are available at our district ranger offices, but because they remain closed, residents are asked to get their burn permits online at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/. Also included on this web page is current burn status. Please be sure to check for authorized burn days before you ignite that burn pile!
Air quality is directly related to the amount of smoke in the air and prevailing winds. Currently the Stanislaus National Forest and surrounding communities are experiencing periods of unhealthy air quality. Before traveling to the forest, visitors are encouraged to check on any active fires in the area at inciweb.nwcg.gov for federal fire incidents, or https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/ for any CalFire incidents. In addition, due to the many active fires you may find very smoky conditions across the forest, so we recommend you check the local air quality at www.airnow.gov.
Updated July 23, 2020: Are you looking for a Stanislaus National Forest map during our virtual services? Our partner, 3 Forests Interpretive Association, or 3FIA, offers National Forest Visitor Maps for sale online! Learn more about other online map tools.
Fire Restrictions
All forest fire restrictions have been terminated as of Nov. 23, 2020. Stanislaus National Forest Supervisor Jason Kuiken terminated fire restriction forest orders for moderate and high fire hazard zones. No fire restrictions remain on the forest.
Persons with a valid California campfire permit may have a campfire and use a portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel on National Forest System lands. Campfire permits may be requested at www.preventwildfiresca.org.
Pinecrest Day Use and Campground
Jan. 7, 2021: The Pinecrest campground has closed for the winter, although the day use area remains open to the public. The Forest Service has been working closely with Tuolumne County and state officials to ensure alignment with all state and county health regulations.
- 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.
- Businesses operating at Pinecrest are allowed by state regulation to remain open, but they must adhere to any state or local restrictions. All permitted businesses are required to follow state and county health guidelines, and you may notice adaptations when you visit them.
- Restrooms will continue to be cleaned, following regional guidance for COVID-19 cleaning. Visitors will need to bring their own hand sanitizer and soap in the day use area.
If you make your way to Pinecrest Lake day use area this winter, please respect the rules and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
Open Campgrounds
Updated Dec. 8, 2020. Due to winter conditions, most campgrounds remain closed until May. As the few year-round campgrounds are prepared and reopen, we will list them here. Please visit the California COVID website at www.COVID-19.ca.gov to learn more about the order and how travel outside your local area is impacted.
List of developed campgrounds by ranger district that are open:
Calaveras Ranger District
| Campground |
Status |
| No campgrounds open |
|
Groveland Ranger District
| Campground |
Status |
| No campgrounds open |
|
Mi-Wok/Summit Ranger Districts
| Campground |
Status |
| No campgrounds open |
|
Other recreational day use sites are also open. Check the alphabetical list on the Recreation tab to see which rec sites and trails are open.
Wilderness Permits
FREE permits are required for overnight visits to the wilderness areas.
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Stanislaus National Forest has updated the process for obtaining overnight wilderness permits. The Stanislaus National Forest does not have quotas for wilderness area access.
Forest Product Permits
Jan. 7, 2021: We will resume fuelwood permits on April 15, 2021. At this time we anticipate we will continue the fuelwood permit request line at 209-288-6241. On April 14 we will begin accepting fuelwood permit requests via the telephone number. Requestors can leave a voicemail message with your name and telephone number and a front desk clerk will contact you when requests open. You will request a fuelwood permit over the phone; once it is digitally signed by our front desk clerk they will mail the permit and the accompanying fuelwood tags to you. We do not have information on whether fuelwood permits will be free of charge during the 2021 collection season, but you must have your permit and tags with you when you are gathering wood on the forest. Please check back for decisions about permit fees as we get closer to our application date.
- For information about other forest product permits, please call (209) 272-5455.
Forest Orders
There are currently no forest orders in effect on the Stanislaus National Forest.
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. 
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