Forest Updates
CRITICAL UPDATE
Updated Nov. 24, 2020: Christmas Tree permits
The Stanislaus National Forest is not offering Christmas Tree permits this year, although we are developing a plan to offer them for the 2021 holiday season. Because all national forests are still operating in a virtual environment, all Christmas Tree permits are being offered on www.recreation.gov. For a list of national forests offering Christmas Tree permits vist our Permits & Passes page and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Updated Nov. 23, 2020: 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.
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 Nov. 9, 2020 Online California Burn Permits:
As winter weather begins 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
Updated Nov. 23, 2020: 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
Oct. 19, 2020: 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 Nov. 6, 2020. Please note: Most campgrounds have closed for the winter. Please note that regional fire restrictions have been lifted and forest fire restrictions for moderate and high hazard zones are in effect. Review the fire restrictions in the section above.
List of developed campgrounds by ranger district that are open:
Calaveras Ranger District
| Campground |
Status |
| No campgrounds open |
|
Groveland Ranger District
| Campground |
Status |
| Lumsden Campground |
No per night fee; first come, first serve; road to the campground is best for 4WD vehicles, no trailers are recommended; there is limited trash removal during the winter season - pack and take all your trash and waste with you when you leave! |
| Sweetwater Campground |
$16 per night fee; first come, first serve; there is no water or trash removal during the winter season - pack and take all your trash and waste with you when you leave! |
| South Fork Campground |
No per night fee; first come, first serve; there is limited trash removal during the winter season - pack and take all your trash and waste with you when you leave! |
| The Pines Campground |
$16 per night fee; first come, first serve; there is no water or trash removal during the winter season - pack and take all your trash and waste with you when you leave! |
Mi-Wok/Summit Ranger Districts
| Campground |
Status |
| Crandall/Deer Creek Campground |
Campground is winterized for the season. OK to camp with no services and no fee required until Dec. 15, as long as weather and snow conditions allow. |
| Hull Creek Campground |
$12.00 per night fee, $24.00 per double site fee charged; first come, first served |
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
Aug. 31, 2020: If you are planning a back country trip, be aware of water access during backpacking trips. Water is drying up quite fast this summer, so lakes are really the only reliable source for water in the Emigrant right now - especially out of Crabtree and Gianelli trailheads. Creeks are almost completely dried up, including Piute Creek, West Fork Cherry Creek, and Buck Meadow Creek. Creeks in the Upper Emigrant, including Summit Creek and North Fork Cherry Creek can still be used as water sources and are still flowing but they are getting low as well. Know before you go!
June 11, 2020: 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
June 15, 2020: If you are seeking a fuelwood permit, please call 209-288-6241 and leave a voicemail message with your name and telephone number. A front desk representative will call you and issue you 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. All fuelwood permits are free of charge during the 2020 collection season, but you must have your permit and tags with you when you are gathering wood on the forest. Our front desk representatives will be able to answer your questions when they call. We appreciate your patience while we developed a new process for issuing fuelwood permits.
- For other forest product permits, please call (209) 272-5455.
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. 
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