Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest)
Stanislaus National Forest — lakeside, hiking
Location: Arnold, CA, CA
Price: From $19 per night
Price range: $19–$100 per night
Rating: 3 out of 5 (2 reviews)
Season: May through October
BIG MEADOW CAMPGROUND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED . Trash and Water Services are not available at this time. Big Meadow Campground lies at about 6,400 feet elevation on the Stanislaus National Forest.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/big-meadow-stanislaus-national-forest to be notified when sites open up.
Big Meadow sits at 6,400 feet elevation in Stanislaus National Forest with breathtaking views and access to nearby Lake Alpine and Spicer Meadow Reservoir within 15 minutes. Popular activities include hiking, birding, and picnicking.
Wildlife alert: Douglas' Squirrel, Mountain Quail, Steller's Jay, Canada Goose, Cliff Swallow, Sierra Garter Snake, Spiny Lizards, and Mountain Garter Snake documented in area.
Insider tips for Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest): Currently first come, first served only; reservations opening soon so check ahead Book early as this is a popular federal campground Take Highway 4 east for 25 miles from Arnold (RIDB directions note 21 miles east, directions specify 25 miles)
Skip Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest) if: You need RV hookups - no hookups available. You require year-round camping - seasonal May-October only. You prefer developed amenities - only vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables.
Best time to visit Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest): May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Sandy Flat - Utica Reservoir (Stanislaus Nf) (Twain Harte, CA), New Spicer Meadows (CA), Union West - Union Reservoir (Stanislaus Nf) (Markleeville, CA), (Lake Alpine) Lodgepole Campground (Arnold, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest)
Cell signal at Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest) (Arnold, CA): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
BIG MEADOW CAMPGROUND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED . Trash and Water Services are not available at this time. Big Meadow Campground lies at about 6,400 feet elevation on the Stanislaus National Forest.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryCurrently first come, first served only; reservations opening soon so check ahead
Book early as this is a popular federal campground
Take Highway 4 east for 25 miles from Arnold (RIDB directions note 21 miles east, directions specify 25 miles)
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Arnold, California, take Highway 4 east for 25 miles to the Big Meadow Campground.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Stanislaus National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Stanislaus National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest) cost per night?+
What season is Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest) open?+
Does Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest) have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest)?+
How do I make reservations at Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest)?+
What is the cell service like at Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest)?+
What season is Big Meadow (Stanislaus National Forest) open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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