Big Meadow delivers the mountain camping experience without the crowds — large, private sites tucked into a mixed conifer forest at 6,460 feet. The granitic outcrops and scattered aspen make for a setting that feels more backcountry than car camping, even with the convenience of developed amenities.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Developed
- 💵Fee per Night
- $30
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 🏔️Elevation
- 6,460 ft
- 📍GPS
- 38.41683, -120.10647
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
The Camp
This is conifer camping done right. Red fir, white fir, and lodgepole pine provide the canopy, with quaking aspen scattered throughout for variety. The sites themselves are genuinely large and private — a rarity in California's developed campgrounds where you're often pitching your tent an arm's length from your neighbor's picnic table.
Granitic rock outcrops dot the campground, giving each site character beyond the standard-issue fire ring and picnic table. The forest setting provides natural shade and screening, so you can actually relax without feeling like you're on display.
What to Know
Reservations are required, which tells you something about demand despite the campground's relative obscurity. The elevation puts you in proper mountain air — expect cool nights even in summer, and plan for potential snow if you're visiting in shoulder seasons.
The Calaveras Ranger District manages this campground, so they're your contact for current conditions and any seasonal restrictions. At this elevation, the camping season likely runs shorter than the lower-elevation options, making timing important for trip planning.