USDA Forest Service · California
Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest)
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 137
- Hookups
- 69 with water, 133 no hookups
- Season
- June 10 to September 7
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 6,565 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · T-Mobile none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- BIG MEADOW CG LOOP (NFSR 07N21) · asphalt · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Stanislaus National Forest
- Nearest town
- Big Meadow
- Address
- STANISLAUS, CA
- Phone
- 209-795-1381
- Activities
- Birding, Camping, Hiking
69 numbered sites are mapped one by one - the site map below shows each with its facts and pictures.
Site map
69 numbered sites are mapped one by one on the imagery, with the operator's own facts and pictures for each site where it publishes them. Tap a site to rate it, keep a note and add your own photos; press and hold the map for a pin of your own. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
Overview
Big Meadow Campground lies at about 6,400 feet elevation on the Stanislaus National Forest. It is located 21 miles east of Arnold, California. Breathtaking views abound, and wildlife viewing opportunities include marmots, squirrels, and deer.
Recreation
Picnicking, birding and hiking are popular pastimes at Big Meadow.
Lake Alpine and Spicer Meadow Reservoir, both just a 15 minute drive away, offer fishing and other water activities.
Facilities
Big Meadow has 65 individual camping sites.
Big Meadow Group camp is easily accessible from Highway 4 and can accommodate a maximum of 50 guests and 20 vehicles.
Natural Features
Big Meadow Campground is situated in Stanislaus National Forest. It is known for exceptional stargazing, remote location, spread out campsites, and large granite boulders.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (209) 753-6350.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 25° | 6° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 41° | 24° | 8° | 57° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 42° | 25° | 11° | 71° | 10 of 11 |
| April | 47° | 27° | -1° | 63° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 60° | 37° | 18° | 74° | 5 of 11 |
| June | 73° | 46° | 29° | 88° | 1 of 11 |
| July | 82° | 54° | 43° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 81° | 53° | 47° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 73° | 47° | 37° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 65° | 39° | 25° | 79° | 6 of 10 |
| November | 51° | 32° | 12° | 69° | 8 of 10 |
| December | 42° | 25° | 4° | 62° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
- Emigrant/ MCCT Trail (Emigrant West Trailhead) · 5.3 mi as the crow flies
Emigrant Trail 8.3 mi Hike · Drive there - Spicer Sand Flat Trailhead (at Spicer Reservoir) · 5.6 mi as the crow flies
Spicer/Sand Flat 5.3 mi Hike · Drive there - Wheats Meadow Trailhead (Spicer Dam side) · 5.9 mi as the crow flies
Spicer/Wheats 3.9 mi Hike · Drive there - Elephant Rock Lake Trailhead · 7.2 mi as the crow flies
Union Rock Lake 1.5 mi Hike · Drive there - Summit Lake/ Mud Lake Trailhead · 7.4 mi as the crow flies
Mud Lake 1.6 mi Hike · Drive there
All 441 trails in Stanislaus National Forest
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Big Meadow Group Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi
- Sand Flat Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Stanislaus River Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Sandy Flat - Utica Reservoir (Stanislaus NF) · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 12 sites
- Black Springs OHV Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-06-26. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.