Pine Marten sits in timber at 7,400 feet on Lake Alpine's east end, putting you close to trailheads and the lake itself. The elevation means you can get snow, rain, and cold any time of year, but that's part of the trade-off for camping in genuine alpine country between Tahoe and Yosemite.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Developed
- 💵Fee per Night
- Free
- 📍GPS
- 38.48075, -119.98864
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- (209)753-6350
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
The campground occupies a forested setting at Lake Alpine's east end in the Calaveras Ranger District. Each site accommodates up to six people, two tents, and two vehicles, with the standard picnic table and fire ring setup. The timber provides some natural screening, and you're camping among the squirrels, chipmunks, and occasional deer that call this elevation home.
Bathrooms are available on-site, but for hot showers and laundry, you'll need to head to Lake Alpine Resort nearby. No hookups or electricity — this is car camping, not RV resort camping.
What to Know
The Forest Service runs reservations during the main season, but the campground may extend its dates on a first-come, first-served basis depending on snow levels. Check the official page for current conditions before heading up.
That 7,400-foot elevation isn't just a number — it means genuine alpine weather. Pack layers and rain gear regardless of the forecast. Snow can hit any month, and conditions can shift from pleasant to miserable quickly.
Nearby
Lake Alpine offers the full menu of mountain lake activities: fishing, kayaking, swimming for the hardy, and wildlife watching. Forest Service rangers run interpretive programs during summer months. Several trailheads branch out from the area into the surrounding forest.
Lake Alpine Lodge provides the basics — restaurant, bar, general store, and boat rentals if you didn't bring your own watercraft. For supplies you forgot, they stock firewood, camping gear, and fishing tackle.
The location puts you within striking distance of Grover Hot Springs, Mercer Caverns, and Calaveras wine country if you want to mix mountain camping with day trips to different terrain.