Forest Updates
CRITICAL UPDATE
Updated May 5, 2021: CAL FIRE suspends dooryard burning permits as of May 2 As spring weather settles into the area, CAL FIRE has suspended all dooryard burning - meaning residential burn piles - until weather conditions allow, likely next fall. If you have questions, please contact your local fire agency or CAL FIRE for more information, or review information at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/.
Update: May 7, 2021: Group camping will reopen this season! In keeping with CDC and county guidelines, we will reopen our group campgrounds this season. Those on Groveland Ranger District are already open and sites on our other ranger districts will reopen as crews inspect and prepare the locations for visitors. We will share information as it is available. Recreation.gov will have updated information as our group camping sites restart operations.
For resorts and organization camps authorized by a Special Use Permits on the Stanislaus National Forest, please check directly with them for updated information.
Update: May 7, 2021: 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 web page. In addition, maps for both burn notices are included with the news release.
Update April 30, 2021: Wilderness permits. Our wilderness permit process has changed for 2021. Please view additional information below in the drop-down section fpr Wilderness Permits below.
Update April 14, 2021: Seasonal roads begin opening April 15. Seasonal forest roads reopened beginning April 15, although some high-elevation forest roads will remain closed due to lingering snow and wet conditions. Most seasonal roads will open effective April 15, but some roads will remain closed until conditions improve. View the forest order, map and list of roads that remain closed at this time.
For those roads that remain closed, district crews will patrol them, removing any fallen trees and inspecting them for significant washouts or damage before reopening them. You may find a road still closed after that date, and if so, it means they are still working to repair or remove hazards and we will open these roads as soon as possible. If you see a closed gate, know we will open it as soon as conditions allow!
Update April 5, 2021: Fuelwood permits available beginning April 15, 2021. The Stanislaus National Forest will begin issuing fuelwood permits on Thursday, April 15, 2021. For those interested in a fuelwood permit, please call the Fuelwood Permit Request Line at 209-288-6241.
You will need to leave a voicemail with your name and telephone number and a front desk clerk will contact you.
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.
Updated March 15, 2021: Mushroom permits are available at our virtual front desk offices. Looking for a mushroom permit this spring? Call the front desk office at the numbers listed above to ask about getting your fee-free permit! You must have your permit with you when harvesting, but during our virtual operations all permits are free of charge. For more information check out the Forest Products drop-down section below.
Updated May 4, 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., and on weekends from 7 a.m. to dusk. Construction may restart on Sunday night. Be prepared for any delays caused by construction. Read more about the Mountain Tunnel Improvements Project.
Updated May 5, 2021: 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.
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.
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 Area
June 6, 2021: The Pinecrest Day Use is 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.
- Pinecrest businesses are open. All permitted businesses are required to follow state and county health guidelines, so you may notice adaptations when you visit them.
- Restrooms are open and cleaned daily. Visitors will need to bring their own hand sanitizer and soap in the day use area. We do not provide paper towels, visitors are advised to bring a hand towel if you want to dry your hands.
- Park your vehicle in designated locations and aparking spots only.
If you are planning a trip to Pinecrest this summer, please know it gets extremely busy -especially on weekends! Please bring your patience!
Open Campgrounds
Updated May 5, 2021 As we transition to normal operations, we recommend that you review the Recreations page, listed as a tab on the upper left corner, to see what recreation sites, including campgrounds, are opening this season. If you have any questions, please call the ranger district where the campground is located for more information. Contact information can be found above in Office Information.
Wilderness Permits
A Wilderness Permit is required for all overnight trips to the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg, and Mokelumne Wilderness Areas. As our front desks begin to open, they may have challenges in providing same-day wilderness permits.
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.
- Your trip must be no more than 7 nights total.
- Your trip must start at one of our wilderness trailheads, and the trip must stay within one of the 3 wilderness areas listed above.
- You must be able to receive email and print your permit from home.
View wilderness permit information.
As of June 6, 2021: Most wilderness trailheads are ACCESSIBLE, except for those listed below. We will update this list as conditions change.
- Coyote Meadows TH
- Box Springs TH
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation
Off-Highway Vehicle recreation information - TO BE UPDATED Soon!
Forest Product Permits
April 30, 2021:The Stanislaus National Forest will begin issuing fuelwood permits on Thursday, April 15, 2021. For those interested in a fuelwood permit, please call the Fuelwood 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.
March 15, 2021: 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. Phone numbers to all ranger districts are listed above in the Office Information section. View the 2021 free permit 16-117a Forest Products ROG.
For information about other forest product permits, please call (209) 272-5455.
Forest Orders
For those roads that remain closed, district crews will patrol them, removing any fallen trees and inspecting them for significant washouts or damage before reopening them. You may find a road still closed after that date, and if so, it means they are still working to repair or remove hazards and we will open these roads as soon as possible. If you see a closed gate, know we will open it as soon as conditions allow!
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. 
