Description

Perched at 8,600 feet in an alpine valley just below Ebbetts Pass, the Highland Lakes Campground is a gorgeous destination for High Sierra camping. To reach this Stanislaus campground, campers  must travel 5.6 miles off of Highway 4 on a steep, narrow dirt road. The payoff is peaceful lakeside campsites below conifer trees with views of the surrounding peaks. Once here, the Highland Lakes offer boating, fishing, and swimming access, plus multiple trailheads near the campground that lead into the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. Highland Lakes tent and RV campsites include picnic tables and fire rings, but there are no hookups. Drinking water is only available via a seasonal pump in summer, and you’ll need to pack out your trash. Services can be found in nearby Bear Valley and Markleeville

Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation

  • All of Highland Lakes Campground’s 35 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No online or advanced reservations are possible.
  • Summer is the busy season at this popular campground. To increase your chances of securing a spot, arrive early or on a weekday.
  • When to Go

    Highland Lakes Campground is typically open from the end of May to October, depending on snowpack. For current conditions, including accessibility of the roads leading to the campground and water pump status, call the Calaveras Ranger Station at (209) 795-1381.

    Campsite area
    Tent or RV sites
    35 sites
    Up to guests per site
    Up to 6 vehicles
    No wheelchair access
    Essentials
    Campfires allowed
    Toilet available
    Pets allowed
    Amenities
    Potable water available
    Picnic table available

    Activities

    Offered near the campground.

    Biking

    Campers can go mountain biking on the US Forest Service roads near Highland Lakes Campground and throughout the Stanislaus Nati...Read more

    Boating

    Boating is allowed on the Highland Lakes, though the US Forest Service discourages the use of gas motors and limits boating spe...Read more

    Fishing

    Try fly fishing or cast fishing for brook trout on the Highland Lakes right next to camp. Tackle shops and dozens of additional...Read more

    Hiking

    Three trailheads leading into the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness depart from the vicinity of this campground: Highlands Creek, Gardn...Read more

    Horseback riding

    With equestrian trails nearby, the Highland Lakes are a popular horseback riding destination. The greater Stanislaus National F...Read more

    Paddling

    If you have a paddle boat of any kind, you’ll want to bring it out while you’re here. Kayak or canoe through the Utica and Uni...Read more

    Wind sports

    That’s right water babies, you can even windsurf here. Cherry Lake is the place to be for windsurfing, so if that’s your thi...Read more

    Off-roading (OHV)

    If you’ve been itching for some mind-blowing scenery to try out your new four-wheeler, this would be the place to do it. You ca...Read more

    Climbing

    Rock climbing and bouldering can be found in Bear Valley near Highland Lakes Campground, as well as in the Calaveras Ranger Dis...Read more

    Snow sports

    Although Highland Lakes Campground is closed in winter, the Highland Lakes area and Highway 4 Corridor are used by backcountry ...Read more

    Swimming

    Waterfalls, epic swimming holes, and pristine lakes are scattered throughout Stanislaus National Forest, including the ever-pop...Read more

    Whitewater paddling

    If a relaxing dip or leisurely paddle isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, there are some rapids for you to conquer too. You ...Read more

    Wildlife watching

    Lucky visitors may spot black bears, mule deer, or coyotes in this area, plus some 60 bird species and many spring wildflowers.

    Terrain

    Natural features you'll find at Highland Lakes Campground.

    Beach
    Cave
    Forest
    Lake
    River, stream, or...
    Swimming hole
    Waterfall
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    10 Reviews

    750
    No one? Bueller? Sharing is caring, y'all.
    Drop some Highland Lakes Campground knowledge on us.
    Hipcamper M
    M M.
    recommends this listing.
    September 4th, 2023

    Perfect campground

    Hipcamper Leroy
    Leroy M.
    didn't provide a recommendation.
    August 6th, 2023

    Toilets are full to the brim and the camp host is a psychopath thief.
    Beware of this guy, he is not whom he appears and has no problem stealing and deceiving you.

    NOT RECOMMENDED AT THIS TIME !

    Hipcamper Jan
    Jan L.
    doesn't recommend this listing.
    September 10th, 2020

    Already left a review, but wasn't given the choice to recommend or not. Definitely a NO unless you like the adventure of quickly coming up with a 'Plan B' when campsites are full on a Thursday or when you realize you don't have enough water to make it through the week (hand pump was broken). Must love difficult roads, mosquitos, intense hail storms in August, total 'roughing it' to like this place. Yes it is beautiful, but there are much better places to go.

    Hipcamper Jan
    Jan L.
    didn't provide a recommendation.
    September 10th, 2020

    experienced campers - I do not recommend this place. Thought this was going to be the perfect beautiful get away for our extended weekend. What we found was a run-down campground in serious need of repairs. Picnic tables smashed into the mud or legs broken off, the water pump out of service, the outhouse broken down and not venting properly.... We were grateful we got there early in the week as the place was packed out by Thursday afternoon; I felt badly for all the campers driving in Thursday night through Saturday looking for a place to camp. This place is remote with 6 miles of bad road to get to it, and the nearest cell-service a 1.25 hour drive away (or hike to the top of a nearby peak. Heaven forbid if you have an emergency.

    Hipcamper Holly
    Holly B.
    didn't provide a recommendation.
    September 10th, 2020

    Difficult to get to and no amenities other than broken down pit toilets and snow-crushed picnic tables. The water pump is broken, so pack in all water. We experienced the most violent, frightening thunder/hail storm of our lives up there in July. It's high and unprotected, and the only refuge from the storm was the car. It's beautiful, but be prepared to literally be one with nature and all the elements can throw at you.

    Hipcamper Mandy
    Mandy S.
    recommends this listing.
    January 23rd, 2019

    Pack in all your own water, food, and firewood. There are no services for miles.

    Hipcamper Birgit
    Birgit S.
    recommends this listing.
    April 25th, 2017

    Can be very cold and windy.

    Hipcamper Holly B.
    has mixed feelings towards this listing.
    September 10th, 2020
    Hipcamper Nick R.
    recommends this listing.
    August 22nd, 2018
    Hipcamper Dr Michael H.
    recommends this listing.
    October 20th, 2018
    Park
    Stanislaus National Forest
    State
    California
    Country
    United States
    Phone Number
    (209) 532-3671
    Directions
    View on Google Maps
    Official Website
    View Website
    Coordinates
    38.489° N, 119.807° W
    $12/night
    Tent / RV / Trailer: 35 Sites
    (Up to people per site)