The Stanislaus National Forest (Forest) encompasses 898,099 acres on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada; California’s snow capped mountain range that flanks the Great Central Valley. Located between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, the Forest landscape is a continuum of natural and scenic beauty that defines the Sierra. Amid soaring crests, sparkling mountain lakes, towering forests, and canyons carved by cool rushing rivers, visitors discover connections with nature and the spirit of the Sierra Nevada. A mere two hour drive from the Great Central Valley and three hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, makes the Forest a very popular destination place.

The mountains were shaped by volcanic and glacial action, producing rugged and spectacular topography at high elevations. Each elevation, from 1,500 to over 11,000 feet above sea level, has its own unique vegetation, wildlife, and corresponding temperatures. While the lower elevations are hot and dry, the higher elevation’s lush meadows are cooled by melting snow. Here you will find Sierra mixed conifer, true fir, lodge pole pine and sub alpine vegetation. Bald eagle, peregrine falcon and wolverine have all been reported on the Forest.