FR 01S08 — Rainbow Pool Swimming Hole in CA -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in California
FR 01S08 — Rainbow Pool Swimming Hole in CA
A 2.6-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in Tuolumne County, CA. The road is open seasonally, April 15 to December 15.
Stanislaus National Forest, Groveland Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 21-day limit in any 365 days. Camp at least 100 ft from water. Open seasonally, April 16 to December 14.
All 2.6 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. 2.4 of the 2.6 miles in are dirt. Climbs 160 ft over 2.6 miles -- sustained grades near 12%, with pitches to 21%. Stretches run along a shelf with a drop of up to ~120 ft on the downhill side. Winds through 5 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch.
A well-travelled stretch -- travellers have camped along here. Exposed here -- the nearest through road is 0.1 miles off. Tuolumne River runs 1.0 mi off. Smith Peak stands 690 ft above the site, 1.6 miles south. The nearest town, Pine Mountain Lake, is 5.3 mi off.
September normals 53–85°F, 0.2″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.
Set by Stanislaus National Forest, Groveland Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.
fs.usda.gov