California State Route 108 is only one of five east-west routes that cross California’s Sierra Nevada south of Lake Tahoe. Among the most picturesque is Highway 108, a stunning drive through high-mountain backcountry that starts in the west in California’s gold country and ends at the junction of U.S. Highway 395, about 17 miles from the mountain plains of Bridgeport, California. In between is the 9,624-foot Sonora Pass, and a heart-pounding descent down the eastern front of the Sierra Nevada. Camping along this route is plentiful, with each location allowing travelers to explore the unique geographic regions of the mountain range without leaving their car. At its highest elevations, State Route 108 is closed during winter due to snow -- and, subsequently, so are the campgrounds -- so plan accordingly before you venture across this remarkable highway.
Pinecrest Campground sits on the western shore of Pinecrest Lake, about 35 miles west of Sonora Pass. With an elevation of 5,600 feet, you will have risen above the summer heat of California’s Central Valley, but that does’t mean a cool dip in the 300-acre lake is not welcome. The pines are thick here, and the lake starts to show the granite rock formations that will be plentiful farther eastward. Pinecrest Lake Campground has 196 nonelectric campsites. Food, grocery, marina and other services are also available nearby at Pinecrest Lake Resort.
Dardanelle Campground, about 28 miles east Pinecrest Lake, is named after the nearby granite spires called the Dardanelles Cone. This particular campground sits in the forested valley along the Upper Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River, yet it still offers panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada high country. One nice aspect of this 28-site campground is its proximity to the Dardanelle Resort, a destination since 1923. This privately owned property has a general store, restaurant and bar, rustic cabins and RV hookups for travelers who wish to be pampered for a night.
Deadman Campground is the closest campground on the western side of the Sonoran Pass, registering at 6,400 feet of elevation. If not for the highway and the nearby Kennedy Meadows Resort, this would be deep Sierra Nevada backcountry. The resort is walking distance from Deadman Campground, and those who work there are a great resource when it comes to finding the best places in the area to land the golden, brown and rainbow trout that are so plentiful in the streams and rivers. Deadman has four tent-only campsites, and 13 combined (RV or tent) sites.
Leavitt Meadows Campground sits on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada at 7,100 feet. It is drier here, and campgrounds tend to be more exposed than on the western side of the pass. The Walker River runs through the picturesque 2-mile Leavitt Meadow, and during autumn, the fall color of the Aspen trees are not to be missed. If staying here, don’t pass up the chance to see the 250-foot drop of Leavitt Falls, which is about 1.3 miles west of nearby Leavitt Meadow Pack Station. There is one tent-only site at Leavitt Meadows Campground, and 15 combined (RV or tent) sites.
