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    Stanislaus National Forest

    4.1 (11 reviews)

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    Judy O.

    Stanislaus National Forest first popped my camping cherry a few years ago and I was back again for some more nature lovin' this summer. Oh my. Things haven't changed! I have fallen in love with this park! You get to really experience nature, in all of its wonderful glory. Including pesky mosquito bites. I lost cell phone reception 1.5 hours before we arrived at our campsite so this is a wonderful place to breakaway from the modern and often technologically-dependent lives us city dwellers lead. We camped for three days and two nights at Big Meadow Campground which is no longer taking reservations (first-come, first-served). However, it's a big campground, 60+ sites. You are surrounded by huge granite rocks and magnificent trees. The campground is spacious and well shaded for the most part. Bathroom facilities include the bare minimum--just a toilet and lots of creepy-crawly creatures to keep you company as you do your business. You can do so much here and it's a great place to camp because you're surrounded by fresh water. It's refreshing to have bodies of water so you can take a dip in. This helps clean freaks like me deal with the fact that I haven't showered for 2-3 days. We went on a river hike along a fresh water stream, complete with mini waterfalls and cascades. Perfect for a hot day so bring your bathing suits! The river has many cool pockets that you can just hang out and relax in. The scenery is breathtaking but remember to be careful! The rocks are covered with algae so they get slippery. I fell twice. Rent out a kayak or boat and explore Lake Alpine and Utica Reservoir! I kayaked during the day in Utica Reservoir which has small, isolated islands that you can chill at and enjoy a nice, peaceful lunch away from everyone else. You can also swim in the lakes. The water is not too cold and it's fresh water so no burning your eyes! We also went moonlight kayaking at Lake Alpine and yes, it's as cool (and romantic) as it sounds! It was around 10pm and the lake was completely still and empty. No ripples in the water. It was quite eerie, especially with the layer of smoke from the campsites hovering over the land. We went during a full moon so it was bright and well-lit. You can go stargazing as well and I actually saw a shooting star! There is just so much you can do at Stanislaus and all of the scenery is pure undisturbed nature. It's stunning and humbling. A great way to enjoy the outdoors while indulging in some beautiful sights!

    Love!
    Alexandra C.

    Can't express how much awesome this camping was!!! Peaceful, not too hot, not too cold, and chilly enough for a fire at night. Quiet, and no jackasses blaring music or "WOO"-ing into the night.

    More than 50% of the camping area is lost to the right of the boulders.

    Warning to all: Families, large camping groups, persons with disabilities, or OHV riders: Essentially all group camp spots have been closed without public notice, in the 3N01 road area. Someone in the forest service who does not realize the amount of public use has cordoned off all large camp spots. Camping is now limited to road side/Trail side parking, in line. No more wagon circles.Hull creek camp is not an option, gate is locked. They have made it almost impossible for RV/Trailer camping in this area, in small or large groups - if you are planning on traveling with more than one rig, be sure to get there VERY early, or you will be out of luck. In the summer, you and your camp with be dusted by the OHV riders, as the camp is now literally on the trail. What was once able to accommodate at least 6 large groups at a time is now struggling to handle 1-2. The forest and scenery/riding trails are still beautiful and worth the drive, just beware if you are planning to camp overnight or for the weekend.

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    Review Highlights - Stanislaus National Forest

    ! We also went moonlight kayaking at Lake Alpine and yes, it's as cool (and romantic) as it sounds

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    Railtown 1897 State Historic Park

    Railtown 1897 State Historic Park

    4.4(128 reviews)
    30.3 mi

    Railtown State Historic Park is extremely cool and fun for all ages! We got to stand on the caboose…read morebuilt for Back To The Future III, viewed the train smoke stack from Little House on the Prairie train, coal powered steam engines, and we saw the Well from the olddddddd show Peticoat Junction: We also were able to see some old trains including ones with wooden grates in the front, and lots of train parts!! He enjoyed explaining things to me.. For a very small fee you can take a ride on a train. Walk around the grounds and see old engines, workshops with all sorts of parts, machines of all sorts. A map is providing for easy understanding of the grounds. It is a trek to get across the grounds and would be difficult for someone with mobility issues. Both of my children grew up coming to not only this park, but to Columbia also. Our family has made many trips here over the years. We love combining, education, history and adventure. They host Christmas events here like the Polar Express train ride to North Pole. This was such a spectacular event I brought my daughter to when she was little. We watched the movie the night before. When we arrived in our pajamas for our VIP seat, we stood in line where we were lovingly harassed by actors. We boarding the train after getting a golden ticket! We sat in the back car. Actors were dancing and singing and chasing hobos off the train while we enjoyed a ride and spilled hot cocoa out of polar express keepsake mugs. Arriving at North Pile and seeing the elves and Santa pushed it over the edge for my young daughter. She was beyonnnnnd excited!! Will I return: We always do. There's something incredibly nostalgic about this place!

    This review is for the polar express train ride. Let's cut right to the sleigh bells: At a cool $85…read morea pop, this ride definitely costs more than a lump of coal. For my family of three, we signed up for the holiday hype, and while it wasn't exactly perfect, it was certainly an event to remember! Singing Christmas carols was an absolute delight! My personal highlight? The hot chocolate scene. The performers were fantastic, and the cocoa itself was surprisingly delicious & paired with a yummy snickerdoodle cookie. The trip to the North Pole, while blessedly short, felt truly magical. Watching all the kids scramble to one side of the train to catch a glimpse of Santa's HQ was a sight. Now, for the "improvements" section. The train apparently needs a gallon of WD-40. Parts of the ride were punctuated by a noise I can only describe as "ears-piercing squeaky"--a sound that could shatter a candy cane. Also, when the classic Polar Express story was being read, those of us in the back were left playing a fun game called "Can You Hear Me Now?" (Spoiler: We could not). Finally, the outside scenery was less "winter wonderland" and more "passing landscape." It would have been brilliant if they had just added a few festive Christmas decorations along the route. Just a few! We aren't asking for a full-scale holiday village, just something besides barren trees. While our ride came with a few minor mechanical and auditory "features," we still had a magical time. It wasn't perfect, but what ever is?

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    Railtown 1897 State Historic Park - In the cab of Sierra Railway locomotive  No. 28.

    In the cab of Sierra Railway locomotive No. 28.

    Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
    Railtown 1897 State Historic Park

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    Stanislaus National Forest - campgrounds - Updated May 2026

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