Big Meadow Group Campground sits at 6,400 feet in the Stanislaus National Forest, designed for groups up to 50 people. Currently closed with no water or restroom services, it normally serves as a basecamp for groups exploring the alpine country 21 miles east of Arnold.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- Free
- 🏔️Elevation
- 6,400 ft
- 📍GPS
- 38.41639, -120.10500
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 209-795-1381
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
The group campground occupies a meadow setting in the central Sierra Nevada, positioned between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite but without their crowds. At 6,400 feet elevation, the site offers views of snow-capped peaks and the Great Central Valley spread below. The single group site accommodates up to 50 guests and 20 vehicles, with easy highway access from Highway 4.
Current Status
The campground remains closed indefinitely. Water service is unavailable, vault toilets are shuttered for the season, and trash service has been suspended. The individual campground's 65 sites are also closed. Anyone planning group camping in this area should contact the ranger district at (209) 753-6350 for current conditions and alternative options.
When It's Open
Big Meadow serves groups looking for a mountain basecamp with room to spread out. Picnicking, birding, and hiking occupy most visitors when the site operates normally. The surrounding forest provides habitat for marmots, squirrels, and deer.
Nearby
Lake Alpine and Spicer Meadow Reservoir sit 15 minutes away by car, offering fishing and water activities when Big Meadow eventually reopens. The location puts groups within striking distance of Sierra Nevada hiking without the permit hassles and crowds of more famous destinations to the north and south.