About Cherry Lake
Fish and boat on the largest lake on the Forest. Open all year, road access subject to winter closure. Cherry Lake visitors enjoy camping, boating, swimming, fishing and hiking. Recreation facilities include a boat launch and vault restrooms.CAUTION - BURNED AREA Please use caution while in theRim Fire Burned Area.Potential hazards include loose and falling rocks, flash floods, and debris flows.Trees may have been weakened from fire damage and ongoing drought and may fall at any time.Stay on designated roads and trails and within opened areas.Be alert for falling objects and do not linger around large trees.Avoid the area during high winds or heavy rain.
How to Get There
Travel from Groveland: The Cherry Valley Campground can be reached from Hwy 120 using Cherry Lake Road (Forest Road 1N07). Travel east from Groveland, California about 13.8 miles. Turn left on Cherry Lake Road. Continue on Cherry Lake Road for approximately 23.5 miles to Cottonwood Road (Forest Road 1N04). Turn left and travel approximately a half mile north. You will see the Cherry Valley Campground sign, then turn right towards the campground.Travel from Tuolumne, California: Take Buchanan Road, which turns into Cottonwood Road (Forest Road 1N04). Travel approximately 30 miles to the Cherry Valley Campground sign, then turn left into the campground.NOTE: The Tuolumne route is advisable for visitors in RVs and or towing equipment. Cherry Lake Road is narrow and steep and not advised for RVs or trailers.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Cherry Lake
Heading to Cherry Lake? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Cherry Lake?
No central reservation system listed for Cherry Lake. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/245535) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Cherry Lake?
Travel from Groveland: The Cherry Valley Campground can be reached from Hwy 120 using Cherry Lake Road (Forest Road 1N07). Travel east from Groveland, California about 13.8 miles. Turn left on Cherry Lake Road. Continue on Cherry Lake Road for approximately 23.5 miles to Cottonwood Road (Forest Road 1N04). Turn left and travel approximately a half mile north. You will see the Cherry Valley Campgro…
References & Official Resources
